Things to See & Do: Historic Area Sites

The Mansion:
Washington, D.C.'s Most Popular Historic Home

When George Washington inherited Mount Vernon, what we now call "the Mansion" was a much smaller farmhouse. Washington greatly expanded his home to reflect his status as a Virginia gentleman, personally overseeing every detail of design, construction, and decoration. The historic interior has been restored to its appearance in 1799, the last year of Washington's life.

As a self-contained community that supported the Washington family, their guests, slaves, and servants, Mount Vernon included several outbuildings. The historic original buildings still stand to show visitors the various duties that were carried out to keep a large plantation running, such as spinning and laundering, preparing food, curing meats, shoeing horses, and other jobs. A comprehensive historical site!

For the first time in over 200 years, a working blacksmith shop is operating at Mount Vernon! The blacksmith shop has been reconstructed at the original location of George Washington's shop after years of research and archaeology excavations. Blacksmithing demonstrations will take place Wednesday through Sunday until November, giving visitors a dynamic view of 18th-century smithing by creating the same household and agricultural items that were used on Washington's plantation.

The Gardens
Historic and Beautiful Gardens

George Washington had a passion for gardening - and no matter what the season, you can still find evidence of that passion around nearly every corner at Mount Vernon today. The "Upper," or pleasure, garden features bulbs, annuals, and perennials. In the "Lower," or kitchen, garden, you'll discover a delectable variety of fruits and vegetables. There is also a botanical garden where Washington experimented with plants, as well as a fruit garden and nursery. Enjoy a stroll through early-American gardening history!

George Washington: Pioneer Farmer Site
Historical Farm Site

Washington constantly experimented with ways to improve his land, and he eventually transformed Mount Vernon into a diversified farm where he grew many crops. Perhaps his most dramatic invention was a 16-sided treading barn for processing wheat and other grains. The barn has been reconstructed and is used in season as horses tread out wheat at the Pioneer Farmer Site near the river. The four-acre historical farm site also includes a slave cabin, animals, and demonstration crops.

Slave Memorial
A Slave Burial Site

Near the Washingtons' tomb on a wooded hill is a slave burial ground marked by a memorial to honor African-American slaves who worked at Mount Vernon. This land was used as a cemetery site 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 on this historical land are largely unknown.