September 16, 2017 -- Mt. Vernon was the plantation home of George Washington, our first president. Robin, Sally, and I visited one beautiful fall day in 2017. I had visited once before but I was very young. I'm told I got a Mt. Vernon hat that I refused to removed during dental surgery.
Our first president
Sisters
Mansion @ Mt. Vernon, c. 1734
At its peak, Mount Vernon was a 7,600 to 8,000-acre estate, while the mansion itself grew to nearly 11,000 square feet. The original 2,100-acre estate was expanded by Washington through land purchases, and the house was enlarged from a small farmhouse to a two-and-a-half-story mansion with 21 rooms.
President of the US, 1789-1797
Expansion, c. 1758 and 1774
The soldier
Sisters
View from the river
Bowling Green
We went on the "slave" tour. Like most plantation owners of his time, George Washington owned slaves, up to 500 men, women, and children at one time; 371 at the time of his death. His views on slavery seemed to moderate with time. He privately opposed slavery and freed all his slaves upon his death. Washington believed that bitter debates about slavery would tear the country apart; he was right.
George Washington died December 14, 1799 at Mt. Vernon from a severe throat infection. He wished to be buried at Mt. Vernon. Martha died in 1802. In 1831 (per his will), their remains were transferred to a new tomb, along with the remains of other family members. We visited the tomb.
New Tomb: final resting place of George and Martha
No comments:
Post a Comment