See more of my Mount Vernon Pictures at Flickr
As part of the James Madison Graduate summer seminar we took a trip to Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. Mount Vernon is about 45 minutes from Washington D.C. located in Fairfax County Virginia the estate is beautifully preserved by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association to include docent interpretations of the home and estate. Washington’s home was the control center of a very large plantation that included over 300 slaves growing a myriad of products. Washington’s home reflects the simplicity and virtue of the republican President and is arranged in a neat and logical order. Mount Vernon is located on the bank of the Potomac river and enjoys a splendid view of the river and the Maryland countryside. The estate includes a new education center and museum. he education center is contemporary in its design including several short animated films in state of the art theaters (one even snows during the winter campain of Trenton and Princeton). There are several anitomically correct wax Washington figures (think Madam Tussauds)a very cool experience.
As part of the tour we visited Washington’s burial vault. Washington, who is interred with his wife Martha, rests in peace in a beautifully kept sanctuary. During the tour I had the distinct priveldge of laying a wreath at Washington’s sarcophacus. I was one of three fellows selected for the honor and was chosen because of my military service (USMC). I felt a tremendous amount of pride not only in my service to my country, but in being a James Madison Fellow. I will never forget the experience. In my visit to Mount Vernon I feel as if I have come to know General Washington on a deeper level, and respect his accomplishments even more than I had before. He is truly a great man.
