Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington from the time of their marriage in 1759 until General Washington's death in 1799. He worked tirelessly to expand his plantation from 2,000 acres to 8,000 and the mansion house from six rooms to twenty one.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association purchased Mount Vernon from the Washington family in 1858 and opened the estate to the public in 1860. Since that time, nearly 80 million visitors have toured Washington's home. Mount Vernon is independent of the government and no tax dollars are expended to support the 500-acre estate, its educational programs or activities.
Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house and more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. Stroll four different gardens, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a four-acre working farm that includes a recreation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. The George Washington Museum and the Archaeology & Restoration Museum are open daily, in addition to a variety of seasonal walking tours and special activities. George and Martha Washington rest in peace in the tomb where wreathlaying ceremonies are held daily.
The Upper Garden includes a wide variety of flowers and trees, boxwood planted in Washington's day, and a few vegetable beds. The beds have been restored to their original size, based on careful archaeological excavations.
The Lower Garden supplied fresh produce for the busy Mount Vernon kitchen. English boxwoods were planted in 1786 and now crowd the entry path. Vegetables and herbs are grown in the beds today, as well as cherry, apple, and other fruit trees espaliered along the walls and cordoned onto fences.
The Fruit Garden and Nursery was used by Washington to experiment with new seeds and plants before using them elsewhere on the estate. He attempted to grow grapes in its well-cultivated beds, and produced nursery plants for use across Mount Vernon. The large size of the garden and its protective fence also made it an ideal site to grow tree-ripened apples, pears, plums, peaches, and cherries.
Washington died in the master bedroom at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. In his will, he directed that he be buried on his beloved Mount Vernon estate. He also selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the original burial vault, which was deteriorating. The tomb was completed in 1831 and Washington's body was moved there along with the remains of his wife, Martha, and other family members.
Near the tomb on a wooded hill, the slave burial ground is marked by a memorial to honor African-American slaves who worked at Mount Vernon. This land was used as a cemetery for slaves and free blacks who worked for the Washington family during the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century. The graves are unmarked, and the identities and numbers of those buried there are largely unknown.
Tribute at the Tomb wreathlaying ceremonies take place at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily, April through October.
Slave Life at Mount Vernon tours start at the Mansion Circle at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. daily, April through October.
The farm site stretches over four acres, just a 5-minute walk south of the Mansion, adjacent to the Wharf on the Potomac River. Here, you'll watch horses tread wheat in the 16-sided barn or listen to a dramatic surround-sound interpretation, plus enjoy a variety of 18th-century farming and cooking demonstrations.
While George Washington is honored as Commander in Chief, he thought of himself first and foremost as a farmer. Washington came to recognize the inadequacies of 18th-century farming techniques and began an untiring effort to improve his farming methods by experimenting with crop rotation, fertilizers, plowing practices, and more -- quite uncommon during the colonial era. He was among the first Virginia planters to abandon tabacco production in favor of wheat.
The farm is open daily, with hands-on activities available April - October. Fall Harvest Family Days takes place in October.
George Washington's Gristmill at Mount Vernon Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. -- April 1 through October 31
Visitors see an 18th-century water-powered mill in operation by a colonial-attired miller, discover how it works, and learn how this particular mill played an important role in George Washington's vision for America's future as granary to the world. Learn about the character and accomplishments of George Washington -- one of the nation's most innovative and successful farmers.
Tickets to the Gristmill are available at Mount Vernon's Main Gate or at the Gristmill Shop, and may be combined with admission to the estate for an additional $2 for adults and $1.50 for youth (age 6-11). Admission to the Gristmill only is $4 for adults and $2 for youth.
The Gristmill is three miles from the estate's Main Gate on Route 235 South. Free parking is available at the site.
This quarter-mile trail leads through woods of oak, holly, and laurel trees. Walkers cross a bridge over a steep ravine and pass a number of attractions such as Washington's cobble quarry and a Native American site.
Interpretive signs throughout the trail describe animals that once roamed the forests at Mount Vernon and identify those that still do. Visitors experience a tranquil and peaceful setting as they wonder through a forest largely unexplored for 200 years. The foot of the quarter-mile trail is at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, near the 16-sided barn.
Open daily, weather permitting. Not wheelchair accessible. The Forest Trail includes one steep hill and takes approximately 10 minutes to walk.
See Mount Vernon from a new view! Relax and enjoy a 30-minute narrated excursion along the Potomac River. Tickets are available at the Main Gate or on the boat.
Aboard the Spirit of Washington II at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30 March 21 - September 3: Tuesday through Sunday
Aboard the Miss Christin at 2:00 and 3:00 April 4- September 3: Tuesday through Sunday
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association purchased Mount Vernon from the Washington family in 1858 and opened the estate to the public in 1860. Since that time, nearly 80 million visitors have toured Washington's home. Mount Vernon is independent of the government and no tax dollars are expended to support the 500-acre estate, its educational programs or activities.
Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house and more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. Stroll four different gardens, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a four-acre working farm that includes a recreation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. The George Washington Museum and the Archaeology & Restoration Museum are open daily, in addition to a variety of seasonal walking tours and special activities. George and Martha Washington rest in peace in the tomb where wreathlaying ceremonies are held daily.
George and Martha Washington
The Upper Garden includes a wide variety of flowers and trees, boxwood planted in Washington's day, and a few vegetable beds. The beds have been restored to their original size, based on careful archaeological excavations.
The Lower Garden supplied fresh produce for the busy Mount Vernon kitchen. English boxwoods were planted in 1786 and now crowd the entry path. Vegetables and herbs are grown in the beds today, as well as cherry, apple, and other fruit trees espaliered along the walls and cordoned onto fences.
The Fruit Garden and Nursery was used by Washington to experiment with new seeds and plants before using them elsewhere on the estate. He attempted to grow grapes in its well-cultivated beds, and produced nursery plants for use across Mount Vernon. The large size of the garden and its protective fence also made it an ideal site to grow tree-ripened apples, pears, plums, peaches, and cherries.
Open daily. Limited wheelchair accessibility.
Washington died in the master bedroom at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. In his will, he directed that he be buried on his beloved Mount Vernon estate. He also selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the original burial vault, which was deteriorating. The tomb was completed in 1831 and Washington's body was moved there along with the remains of his wife, Martha, and other family members.
Near the tomb on a wooded hill, the slave burial ground is marked by a memorial to honor African-American slaves who worked at Mount Vernon. This land was used as a cemetery for slaves and free blacks who worked for the Washington family during the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century. The graves are unmarked, and the identities and numbers of those buried there are largely unknown.
Tribute at the Tomb wreathlaying ceremonies take place at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily, April through October.
Slave Life at Mount Vernon tours start at the Mansion Circle at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. daily, April through October.
The farm site stretches over four acres, just a 5-minute walk south of the Mansion, adjacent to the Wharf on the Potomac River. Here, you'll watch horses tread wheat in the 16-sided barn or listen to a dramatic surround-sound interpretation, plus enjoy a variety of 18th-century farming and cooking demonstrations.
While George Washington is honored as Commander in Chief, he thought of himself first and foremost as a farmer. Washington came to recognize the inadequacies of 18th-century farming techniques and began an untiring effort to improve his farming methods by experimenting with crop rotation, fertilizers, plowing practices, and more -- quite uncommon during the colonial era. He was among the first Virginia planters to abandon tabacco production in favor of wheat.
The farm is open daily, with hands-on activities available April - October. Fall Harvest Family Days takes place in October.
George Washington's Gristmill at Mount Vernon
Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. -- April 1 through October 31
Visitors see an 18th-century water-powered mill in operation by a colonial-attired miller, discover how it works, and learn how this particular mill played an important role in George Washington's vision for America's future as granary to the world. Learn about the character and accomplishments of George Washington -- one of the nation's most innovative and successful farmers.
Tickets to the Gristmill are available at Mount Vernon's Main Gate or at the Gristmill Shop, and may be combined with admission to the estate for an additional $2 for adults and $1.50 for youth (age 6-11). Admission to the Gristmill only is $4 for adults and $2 for youth.
The Gristmill is three miles from the estate's Main Gate on Route 235 South. Free parking is available at the site.
This quarter-mile trail leads through woods of oak, holly, and laurel trees. Walkers cross a bridge over a steep ravine and pass a number of attractions such as Washington's cobble quarry and a Native American site.
Interpretive signs throughout the trail describe animals that once roamed the forests at Mount Vernon and identify those that still do. Visitors experience a tranquil and peaceful setting as they wonder through a forest largely unexplored for 200 years. The foot of the quarter-mile trail is at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, near the 16-sided barn.
Open daily, weather permitting. Not wheelchair accessible. The Forest Trail includes one steep hill and takes approximately 10 minutes to walk.
See Mount Vernon from a new view! Relax and enjoy a 30-minute narrated excursion along the Potomac River. Tickets are available at the Main Gate or on the boat.
Aboard the Spirit of Washington II at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30
March 21 - September 3: Tuesday through Sunday
Aboard the Miss Christin at 2:00 and 3:00
April 4- September 3: Tuesday through Sunday
Adults - $9