What began as a simple four room farmhouse on a hill high above the wide waters of the Potomac River grew into a gracious 21 room mansion and home to America’s first president, George Washington. Although the land had been in the Washington family as early as 1674 when George Washington’s great-grandfather acquired it, the first home was built by his father in 1735. At the time, the property was known as Little Hunting Creek plantation. After a few years, Washington’s father transferred the property to his oldest son Lawrence Washington who soon changed the name to Mount Vernon.
George Washington was in residence and most likely managing the plantation at the time of his older brother’s passing and inherited a half interest. By the time he married widow Martha Custis in 1759, he had already renovated and enlarged the main house. By 1761, he gained full ownership and lived there until his death in 1799. Over the years he quadrupled the acreage from two thousand to eight thousand. In addition to the farmland and grounds of Mount Vernon, he also owned a grist mill and distillery located away from the main property.
A few years ago, on a bitterly cold day in February with a sharp wind blowing off the Potomac, my daughters and I had the opportunity to visit Mount Vernon. I had visited it once before during the summer months when the gardens bloomed and blossomed. My winter visit offered a very different experience but I’m glad we had the chance to visit. Mount Vernon is open daily throughout the year but the crowds were light. The majestic Potomac River flowed but the waters included a great deal of ice. We visited the house and adjacent kitchen as well as spent some time on the rear veranda overlooking the river, a place I remembered with fondness from my previous visit. The weather was too frigid to spend much time, however. Among the many rooms within Mount Vernon, Washington’s private study, the bedroom where he passed away in 1799, and the New Room where he entertained guests were the most interesting to me. I also enjoyed the separate kitchen structure.
The first President most likely never tossed a silver dollar across the Potomac but he did throw a rock across the narrower and nearby Rappahannock River. The story about admitting to chopping down a cherry tree is probably a fabrication. His military prowess before and during the Revolutionary War and his terms in office are well documented. In private life, Washington enjoyed a rousing fox hunt, liked to dance, play cards, and entertain guests. His Presidential years were spent in residence in Philadelphia although he did select the spot for The White House which came later.
One little known fact is that Washington had all his slaves freed at his death and those who he had gained through his wife were later freed by Martha Washington.
As we prepare to mark President’s Day this month I’m reminded that in my early childhood we observed both Washington and Lincoln’s birthday on separate days. In 1968, as part of the Uniform Holidays Bill, designed to create three-day weekends, we first had President’s Day. Although it’s often believed the day was set aside to honor both Washington and Lincoln or all Presidents, it’s not. The official name for the day, despite what the calendar may say, remains Washington’s Birthday. In an odd twist of fate, it will never be observed on Washington’s actual date of birth, February 22, because the third Monday of February can never fall any later than the 21st.
I’ll take a little time to remember George Washington, to reflect on the man and on my memories of his lovely plantation, Mount Vernon. And someday I may write more about the place and the man.
1 comment:
I've visited there many times, and never get tired of it.
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