Special Events

Black History Month at Mount Vernon
February 1 -  February 28, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In observance of Black History Month, Mount Vernon interpreters highlight at the slave quarters the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington. A daily Slave Life at Mount Vernon tour explores the lives and contributions of the slaves who lived at Mount Vernon.

On weekends from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., meet "Silla" or "Slammin' Joe", two of Washington's slaves, at the slave cabin. Slave life tours are offered daily at 2:00 p.m., and a guide will be in the slave quarters for special interpretation from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every day.

Included in Estate admission.  

February Storytelling Sessions "Slavery at Mount Vernon"
February 6-28 , Saturdays & Sundays, 2:00 p.m.

 Children enter a world of fantasy and fables when costumed interpreters
 weave three tales together during Mount Vernon's storytelling session, 
 "Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon," held every Saturday and Sunday at 
 2:00 p.m. Storytelling sessions will take place in the Hands-On History Room 
 in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. "Slavery at Mount Vernon" is
 the theme for February's storytelling sessions. During the 20-minute session, 
 children learn Aesop's fables and listen to stories about George Washington's 
 life!

                                                The storytelling program is recommended for children ages three to eight.  
Parental supervision is required. "Once Upon at Time at Mount Vernon " is included in regular Estate admission: adults, $15.00; youth ages 6-11, $7.00; and children under 5 are admitted free.    

George Washington's Birthday Weekend with a Surprise Party!
February 13 - 14, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 Historic Mount Vernon celebrates George Washington's 278th birthday with a
 new "Surprise Birthday Party" for the General!

 At 1:30 p.m. join characters from the 18th century as they help visitors surprise
 General Washington with rousing birthday cheers and a serenade! After the
 birthday surprise Washington will be presented with gifts which he will describe 
 and react to during a speech to his birthday visitors. The surprise is reminiscent 
 of Washington's birthday in 1778 during which the Continental Artillery band 
 serenaded Washington at Valley Forge.

 George Washington's favorite breakfast was "hoecakes swimming in butter and 
 honey." Join "General Washington" for a sample of this meal (while supplies last) 
 prepared over an open fire.

Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., while supplies last.
Experience an 18th-century military encampment throughout Saturday and Sunday.

General Washington will be pleased to receive your birthday greetings! Find him near the Mansion throughout the day.

Included in regular admission.

George Washington's 278th Birthday Celebration
February 15, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 Celebrate the national observance of George Washington's birthday by 
 visiting his home and burial site FREE-of-charge on this day.

 Historic Mount Vernon celebrates George Washington's 278th birthday with 
 a new "Surprise Birthday Party" for the General! Join characters from the 
 18th century as they help visitors surprise General Washington with 
 rousing birthday cheers and a serenade!

Enjoy musical and military performances! Festivities begin after a 10 a.m. ceremony at Washington's tomb.

10:00 a.m. Take part in a special wreathlaying ceremony at Washington's tomb followed by patriotic music and military drilling by Revolutionary War re-enactors. "General Washington" will be on the grounds to greet visitors and receive their birthday wishes.

1:30 p.m. "George Washington's Surprise Birthday Party" Join characters from the 18th century as they help visitors surprise General Washington with rousing birthday cheers and a serenade! After the birthday surprise Washington will be presented with gifts which he will describe and react to during a speech to his birthday visitors. The surprise is reminiscent of Washington's birthday in 1778 during which the Continental Artillery band serenaded Washington at Valley Forge.

FREE admission to the Estate on Monday, February 15 only!

Special Programs

Scouting Days at Mount Vernon
November 1, 2009 - February 15, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  Historic Mount Vernon welcomes all Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp
  Fire Club members, and American Heritage Girls (in uniform or 
  wearing an official pin) with free admission during its Scouting Days
  program, from November 1, 2009 - February 15, 2010.  Troops are
  invited to hike the Forest Trail (map provided). Troops may arrange to
  lay a wreath at Washington's tomb by sending a request to:
  grouptours@mountvernon.org or 703-799-8688. 

  Two leaders from each group will receive a discounted admission rate of
                                                          $7.

Temporary Museum Exhibition

Bringing Them Home: 150 Years of Restoring the Washington Collection
Febuary 13, 2010 - January 8, 2012

Beginning February 13, Historic Mount Vernon's F.M. Kirby Gallery in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum hosts a special new exhibition, Bringing Them Home: 150 Years of Restoring the Washington Collection. Organized in honor of the sesquicentennial of the opening of Mount Vernon to the public in 1860, Bringing Them Home celebrates the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association's remarkable 150-year pursuit of original Washington artifacts. These recently returned items?which include examples of fine and decorative arts, books, and manuscripts enrich our understanding of George and Martha Washington's daily lives at Mount Vernon. Most items are being publicly exhibited for the first time, and many have not been at Mount Vernon since the Washingtons lived here. Bringing Them Home tells the incredible tale of how objects have returned and continue to return to Mount Vernon.