Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is the former plantation of George Washington, the first President of the United States, located along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. The estate is situated near Washington, D.C. and is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including United Kingdom, France, and Australia. It is owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, a non-profit organization founded by Ann Pamela Cunningham in 1853. The estate has been visited by numerous notable figures, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Dolley Madison.

History of Mount Vernon

The history of Mount Vernon dates back to 1674, when the land was granted to John Washington, George Washington's great-grandfather, by Charles II of England. The estate was originally known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation and was later renamed Mount Vernon in 1743 in honor of Edward Vernon, a British Navy admiral who was a hero of the War of the Austrian Succession. George Washington inherited the estate in 1754 and expanded it to over 8,000 acres, making it one of the largest plantations in Virginia. During the American Revolutionary War, Mount Vernon served as a refuge for George Washington and his family, and it was also visited by other notable figures, including Marquis de Lafayette and Comte de Rochambeau. The estate has also been associated with other notable events, such as the Treaty of Paris and the Whiskey Rebellion.

Geography and Climate

Mount Vernon is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, near the Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The estate is situated on a peninsula that juts out into the Potomac River, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape, which is similar to that of the Hudson River Valley and the Delaware River. The climate in the area is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters, similar to that of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. The estate is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bald eagles, which are also found in nearby Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Architecture and Design

The architecture and design of Mount Vernon reflect the Georgian style of the 18th century, with a mix of Palladian and Federal style elements, similar to that of Monticello and The Hermitage. The main house, which was built in 1758, features a central block with two wings and a cupola on top, similar to that of Drayton Hall and Biltmore Estate. The estate also includes a number of outbuildings, such as a kitchen, a dairy, and a blacksmith shop, which are similar to those found at Colonial Williamsburg and Plimoth Plantation. The gardens and grounds of Mount Vernon were designed by George Washington himself, with the help of Thomas Jefferson and other notable landscape architects of the time, including André Le Nôtre and Lancelot Brown.

Tourism and Visitor Information

Mount Vernon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, attracting over a million visitors each year, including visitors from Canada, Mexico, and China. The estate offers a variety of tours and exhibits, including a tour of the main house, a visit to the tomb of George Washington and his wife Martha Washington, and a stroll through the gardens and grounds, which are similar to those found at Versailles and Kew Gardens. Visitors can also explore the museum and education center, which feature exhibits on the life and legacy of George Washington and the history of the estate, including its role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The estate is open year-round, except for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day, and offers a variety of special events and re-enactments throughout the year, including Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Historical Significance

Mount Vernon is a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical significance as the former plantation of George Washington and its role in the American Revolution and the early history of the United States. The estate has been visited by numerous notable figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including The Crossing and John Adams. The estate is also home to a number of artifacts and relics from the life and times of George Washington, including his surrender sword and his personal correspondence with Thomas Jefferson and other notable figures, such as Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon Bonaparte. The estate has also been associated with other notable events, such as the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican-American War. Category:Historic houses in Virginia