Mount Vernon

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Tina

This past weekend I went to visit Geroge Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia. Despite my least favorite season starting early and blessing us with what was probably the coldest day… ever, I still went. Snow and wind aside, I was still determined to go to Mount Vernon because I’ve never been… and I heard there was a camel there for Christmas. :3

I really enjoyed the museum portions of the estate as well as the mansion. I was unable to take pictures inside, but their clever thinking made me buy a book with pictures in the gift shop.

There was this one exhibit which opened to remind me of something like “George Washington CSI.” There was a fake lab where they showed a video of how they re-created George Washington’s appearance at different ages in his life. Kind of freaky, as there were like miscellaneous legs and arms laying around… and kind of extra creepy when you turn the corner to see the 19 year old Washington at his first job as a surveyor. Weird. Cool, I guess, but still weird. XD Kinda too real.

Other exhibits included George Washington and His Generals which included pistols, cannon balls, swords and other artifacts. One of the items we stopped to look at for a long time was Washington’s Diamond Bald Eagle which the weirdo guard guy said was only on display to the public for the third time ever. Kinda neat. Don’t know when I’d see that again.

Despite being such a crappy day, weather-wise, it was still pretty busy there. I think I want to go back again in the spring or summer when the gardens aren’t so dead looking. The place is huge! When I managed to get my frozen claw of a hand out of my pocket, I took some terrible photos I’d like to share with you. You can see them after the cut. Just click the link ’cause I even put some good descriptions with each image and there are also some informative web links.

Life-sized bronze sculptures of George and Martha Washington and Mrs. Washington’s two grandchildren, Nelly and Washy Three of twelve trees decorated for Christmas in the Ford Orientation Center One of twelve trees decorated for Christmas in the Ford Orientation Center Circa 1950s stained glass panels, created by the studio of Karl Mueller One of twelve trees decorated for Christmas in the Ford Orientation Center
Mount Vernon in Miniature is an authentic, one-twelfth scaled exact replica of the Mansion The Mansion The Mansion Storehouse
Smokehouse Smokehouse Riding Stuff 18th Century Riding Chair The Coach House
Sheep More Sheep Far Away shot of the Mansion Aladdin, the Christmas Camel The woman at the gift shop said Aladdin is neutered and doesn't spit. Informative!
Mount Vernon Gingerbread House by White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier        

Learn Stuff:
Click the links below each image to learn more about the place or object.

The Mansion Smokehouse Riding Chair
Virtual Tour of the Mansion The Smokehouse 18th Century Riding Chair
The Coach House Mount Vernon Gingerbread House by White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier Mount Vernon in Miniature is an authentic, one-twelfth scaled exact replica of the Mansion
The Coach House Gingerbread Mount Vernon Miniature Mansion

The Mount Vernon website also has a lot of other information. I especially like the exhibit sections such as George Washington and His Generals. It gives a good idea of what was at the museum.

12 thoughts on “Mount Vernon”

  1. zelas

    Neato! Even tho I live so close to it, i’ve only been to the Mt. Vernon inn near there for lunch ^^;
    One of these days I gotta go visit!

    1. Tina

      Hehe. We went there for lunch too!

      I think if you go you will like it. The mansion tour part is fun and the stuff in the museums is very interesting.

  2. Lianne

    Oh, Aladdin…whatta dreamboat. XD

    I’m glad you had a good time despite Jack Frost’s visit.

    1. Tina

      That Jack Frost guy is a total bitch! >:[

      And of course I had fun. We went to Wingsville.

  3. Emily

    Thanks for visiting us at Mount Vernon! Sorry the weather didn’t cooperate, but we appreciate you braving the elements to see the estate – and our popular camel :)

    Emily Dibella
    Vice President of Marketing
    Historic Mount Vernon

    1. Tina

      Aladdin was so cute!

      I plan on going back to Mount Vernon sometime when the weather is warmer just to see how different everything looks… without snow. XD

  4. Lora

    That’s cool about the diamond bald eagle!! Washington’s role in the Society of the Cincinnati was short lived, poor guy.

    1. Tina

      Yeah, it was really cool to see. I really didn’t know what it was at first, but the guard guy or whatever told us all about it. Very impressive.

      I was hoping the book I bought would have a picture of it in there, but it didn’t. :[

  5. Sarah

    I live in Virginia and I think it’s funny the day you visited Mount Vernon was perhaps the only day we’ve gotten snow so far this year. XD Thanks for all the pictures! My family and I are planning on going over the Christmas holidays; we haven’t been since they redid everything. I’m excited to go now! :3

    1. Tina

      Haha. It’s just my luck to bring snow from NH where ever I go. I think it was my fault. XD

      I think you’ll have fun if you go during Christmas time. The Christmas tree displays are awesome. My pictures don’t really do them much justice. Also, remember to dress warmly! I did not… and I paid for it and then made everyone here pay for it with my whining.

      Hehe.

  6. Bethany

    I love Mt. Vernon! Its my favorite place in the world! Seriously, I love it. Washington and his Generals is was just too awesome. *touched the cannon there and almost died out of love for it* The house it wonderful, the first floor bedroom looks cozy! ^.^ I’m glad you liked it. Snow? You got to see it snow at Mt Vernon! LUCKY (even if you almost froze to death)!

    1. Tina

      I touched that cannon too…

      CANNON TWINS! XD

      That was probably my favorite exhibit, although I did enjoy the mansion too.

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