See George Washington’s life and legacy unfold before your eyes as you discover an abundance of information, see historical structures and marvel at the beauty of the gardens at Mount Vernon.
Ford Orientation Center
Start your time at Mount Vernon in the Ford Orientation Center. Here you can get an overview of the Mount Vernon experience and see We Fight to Be Free, an 18-minute action film that introduces the real George Washington.
The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center
Boasting 25 theaters and galleries, the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center tells the detailed story of George Washington’s life through interactive displays, over 500 original artifacts, 11 video presentations and an immersion theater experience where it snows 12 months a year!
The Mansion
Reconstructed as it was in 1799, the last year of George Washington’s life, visit the Mansion the Washington family called their home for over 40 years. Original furnishings, decorative features, items owned by the Washington family, 18th century objects and a small number of reproductions can be seen throughout the first and second floors of the Mansion. Interiors reflect President Washington’s entire adulthood and leave clues about Washington’s character, taste and accomplishments.
Outbuildings
Over a dozen outbuildings carefully designed by Washington himself are also opened to view. Each organized in a way that reflects both the practical and aesthetic side of Washington’s nature. Explore the blacksmith shop featuring a working smithy and daily demonstrations of the trade. See where those who managed the estate lived including the gardener’s house and the slave, overseer and clerk’s quarters. Other outbuildings opened for view include a greenhouse, spinning house, salt house, kitchen, storehouse, smokehouse, washhouse, seed houses, coach house and stables.
Gardens
The gardens at Mount Vernon stretch across 6 acres of land. Divided into four separate gardens; vegetables and fruits, lavish displays and beautiful flowers can be admired throughout.
Upper Garden
Once a fruit and nut garden, the Upper Garden later became a pleasure garden and is full of flowers neatly divided among three large planting boxes. In the center of each bed are cultivated vegetables of all types and each box is surrounded by fruit trees, shrubs, roses and perennial flowers. Don’t forget to look for the recreated boxwood parterre in the shape of a French fleur-de-lis. Scholars at Mount Vernon speculate Washington’s parterre was his way of honoring his friendship with Marquis de Lafayette and a way to honor the French for helping America win the Revolutionary War.
Lower Garden
Across from the Upper Garden, guests will find the Lower Garden, often called the “Kitchen Garden.” Delight in a delectable selection of fruits and vegetables and discover the produce that once appeared on the Washington’s table from asparagus, beets, beans and peas to apples and pears.
Botanical Garden
Washington’s own private garden throughout the 18th century, the Botanical Garden can be found tucked behind the Upper Garden and was where Washington experimented with growing a number of plants.
Fruit Garden and Nursery
First used by Washington in 1771 as a four-acre garden, he later turned the ground into an orchard which covered over two thirds of the area. Featured in the Fruit Garden and Nursery are 11 different varieties of pears, four different types of apples, three different varieties of peaches, two varieties of cherries, and a number of plum trees.
Pioneer Farmer Site
While George Washington was known as Commander-in-Chief, he thought of himself foremost as a farmer and was one of the first Virginia farmers to recognize inadequacies in 18th century farming techniques. Stretching over four acres, the Pioneer Farmer Site invites guests to watch as horses tread wheat, a farming technique which Washington was first to experiment with.
Heritage Breed Animals
Heritage Breed Animals were used in the 18th century as work animals. Providing wool, leather, meat, milk, butter, and fertilizers for the farm, not any part of the animal went to waste. Even the animal’s bones were used for buttons, toothbrushes, eating implements and decorative items. Today you can see some of the same breeds raised at Mount Vernon two centuries ago: Ossabaw Island Hogs, Hog island Sheep, Bronze Gobbler Turkeys, Dominique Chickens, Red Devon Cattle, horses, mules and oxen.
The Forest Trail
A quarter-mile trail starting at the Pioneer Farmer Site allows you to explore the wooded grounds of Mount Vernon. Wander the tranquil trail in a forest largely unexplored for over 200 years. As you venture through woods of oak, holly and laural trees, you’ll learn about the animals that once roamed the forests of Mount Vernon and discover the ones that still do.
Washington’s Tomb
Pay your respects to one of the great Founding Fathers of the United States. In Washington’s will he requested that he be buried at his beloved Mount Vernon Estate in the brick tomb that can be visited to this day.
Slave Memorial
Designed and built in 1983, Slave Memorial was once the burial ground for slaves and free blacks who worked for the Washington family during the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century.
Including the George Washington Bookstore, the largest and best George Washington bookstore in the world, Christmas Corner, where you can deck the halls 12 months a year, the Lady Washington Shop and the Wharf Shop, you will not just find souvenirs in Mount Vernon, but remembrances of a historic journey.
Dining at Mount Vernon
Reenergize in Mount Vernon’s Food Court offering quick and delicious alternatives for every meal. Choose from a selection of savory goods from the French-style café such as gourmet burgers, subs, fresh salads and pizzas. Or treat yourself to something sweet at Mrs. Fields offering cookies fresh out of the oven and hand-dipped ice cream cones.
Travel Tip
- Be sure to pick up a visitor map and a copy of Today from Mount Vernon’s Ford Orientation Center.