We visited Mount Vernon on July 5th. Talk about hot! This is a very busy time of year there – people were everywhere. There were long lines that snaked into other buildings before getting in
to the main house. They had people dressed in period costumes talking to the visitors in line, probably to keep them interested and entertained while they waited. The gentleman to the left was supposed to be George’s physician. The gentleman below was an upper-class servant. They were very interesting to talk to because they stayed very much in character. My daughter wasn’t quite sure how to be greeted in such a manner.
rough a building that housed servants most of the time but sometimes guests (if they stayed for awhile) on our way to the main house. There was a line of people from us, through this small building, through the house and then exiting, with no gaps. We talked to people around us as well as the costumed characters. There was actually quite a few things to see before we reached this point. Then, before we entered the first building, we had to park the strollers to be picked up later. Un-costumed members of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association were along the route, explaining what each building and room were used for and which room belonged to which one of the family members. 
Behind the buildings seen here (kitchen on the left, storehouse/clerks quarters on the right) there are a lot of other buildings – smokehouse, wash house, coach house, stables. Past those are the fruit garden and the nursery and then Washington’s tomb and the slave memorial.
After walking around looking at as many things as we could before the heat got to us we had lunch in the food court at the visitor’s center, then checked out the shops. They had some lovely things in the shops. It was hard to keep my money in my purse.
After we were fed, cooled off and wallets a little lighter, we were off to the distillery and gristmill, which are a couple of miles away. What amazed me about both the main grounds and this place is where they are located. They are located not very far out of Washington DC in the midst of residential areas. We drove the few miles over to where the gristmill and the distillery have been rebuilt in the locations they were originally. Neither are more than a few years old but built as close as possible to what they would have been in Washington’s time.
My grandsons were fascinated with a
ll the things going on. It was great to be able to let them touch things and let them down to walk once in awhile. Here are my daughters and their sons checking out where the corn hulls drop into a barrel after the corn has been ground. (A SIL is under the hat behind the kids.)
Then it was a short walk over to the distillery. The gristmill and the distillery share the mill race (a small stream) that once came from a mill pond. There is no longer a mill pond, houses being built up since Washington’s time, so it is a very small stream. Then this woman explained how whiskey used to be made here. It was a hot, hot job! They didn’t have anything brewing while we where there. They said they only made whiskey when it was cool as things just didn’t come out well when it was hot. 
There is actually tatting in this post as well, more than me doing a few stitches at Mount Vernon. I want to mention that the doily that I posted about last week did get a blue at the county fair(yea!). I don’t know what competition it had as it was not in a tatting category and mine was the only tatting entry, but it is still exciting. I’ll have to try to get something there next year as well.
This is what I’ve been working on since we got home from vacation. They aren’t showing up very well. These are glass tea candle holders that I have put tatting around. I’ve actually put beads on them! They look much better in person. I did have quite a time gluing the tatting down. It just looks like it’s on lopsided! I’ll have to work on that.
The shuttle in the picture is one I bought 10? 15? years ago. It is made of tulip wood by Dennis Hand. I’m not even sure if I picked this up in person or sent off for it. Strange how memory is. But it is a beautiful shuttle and it fit in with the theme of this post. The doily everything is sitting on was made by one of my neighbors as a gift. It makes a lovely backdrop.
I took a lot of pictures while we were on vacation. This is a warning that there will probably be more in the next few posts.
Until then, may all of you enjoy a little tea and a few minutes of tatting.
I'll read this closer when I'm home but I just finished reading a wonderful book about Martha Washington (without all the rumors) and of course much of it was about George and their beloved Mount Vernon which made me want to visit! How cool that you DID!
From the looks of things you had a marvelous (if hot) visit to Mount Vernon. The photos look great!
I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing more.
Did they have any tatting in the main house?
Cool post!
This reminded e of a site in Toronto – Pioneer Village, where my cousin worked for years, dressed like the woman in your pic – long dress, cap, original costume.
Her job was to look after one of the old houses and spin inside and talk to visitors as they came through. Millions of them I suppose over the years.
Everything was done in the village as it was done hundreds of years ago – like the spot you show here – a taste of daily life from another era.
Fox : )
ps – Love the hat. It really works. I must get one…
人們不缺少力量，他們缺少意志。..................................................
Wow!! I give you an A+ for this EXCELLENT essay on Mount Vernon!!
Very well written, and great photos!
We have been there several times (once on a 100=degree day!) starting in the 1980s, after I had become fascinated with early American history and had started to read voraciously about the Colonial Era, having been inspired by the Bicentennial. What a thrill to be there in person!
The paint colors at Mt Vernon ARE quite startling! The Association certainly has added onto the tour since we were last there about 15 years ago! I'm glad there's so much interest!
They are to be congratulated for restoring this fabulous historic site, which they saved from ruin back in 1858. Fortunately, it was considered 'neutral territory' during the Civil War!
I am proud that George Washington actually traveled through my home town here in Western PA back in 1753 (when it was still a forest)! He was only 21 years old! Too long a story to tell here!
The Colonial-era folks could never have envisioned that in a relatively short time (starting in the 1800s with amazing inventions), 'oridinary' folks would be living a life of luxury they never could have imagined! What would they think of our lives today?
By the way, CONGRATS! on the doily, and especially getting tatting 'out there'! I also love the photo of you tatting by the mill! Maykbe they'll put up a sign: "Wanda Tatted Here"!!
第一忠誠，第二勤奮，第三專心工作。..................................................
Thank you for sharing 🙂 this goes on my list of places to see. It reminds me a little of Colonial Williamsburg we visited last year. Unforgettable experience