Visiting Mt. Vernon

Our time in Abingdon had come to an end. It was such a wonderful few days seeing familiar places and catching up with friends who are more like family. Oh, how I miss this city and all these beautiful trees!

It had been years since we had visited Mt. Vernon and Noah had never been so we decided to visit George Washington's beautiful home next to the Potomac. It was extremely hot and humid but not too crowded which was definitely a plus. The Visitor's Center was a new addition since our last visit.

Our first view of the home!

Checking out some of the gardens.

Grateful for a little shade as we wait to go inside.

Mt. Vernon is such a beautiful home and we enjoyed learning about the different rooms, furniture, paintings, items in the home, many which are original, and other artifacts from Washington's life. 

The New Room

The key to the Bastille, given to George Washington by Lafayette in 1790. "The key symbolized a 'token of victory by Liberty over Despotism,' since it unlocked the notorious political prison in France. Washington treasured this key."

The Dining Room - it sure is green!

The Blue Room - a bedchamber for visiting family and guests.

The Yellow Room

Washington's Bedchamber - this room was a sanctuary for Martha Washington. Here she planned her schedule and wrote letters to friends and family members. Washington died of a severe throat infection in this room on December 14, 1799. Upon his death, Martha closed the room and, for the remaining several years of her life, spent much of her time in a bedchamber on the third floor.

The Study - this room became Washington's retreat after his return to Mount Vernon after his presidency. Reportedly, no one was allowed in this room without his invitation. This is the room where he directed the management of his estate as well as bathed, dressed, and kept his clothes.

The chair he used as president.

Heading back outside...

and enjoying a little rest at the back of the house.

Taking in the view!

They were doing a lot of restoration work on the back of the house.

Wandering the grounds.

George Washington's tomb.

The Slave Memorial where both free and enslaved people were buried. Unfortunately there are no permanent identifying markers.

I loved the rocks!

Near the wharf...

and then walking the working farm.

We spent the remainder of our time there checking out the museum and the education center.

Washington's dentures.

After a full day of immersing ourselves in history, we headed to our hotel. Wow, the traffic! We had been planning on doing dinner somewhere in Alexanderia but we were all worn out and decided to just grab something closeby. That night I got one of the worse migraines I've ever had. Ugh! Despite the horrible ending, it was such a fun day!