A trip to Washington's home.
  • The Overseer's Quarters.
    The Overseer's Quarters.
    Because of his extended absenses from Mount Vernon, George Washington relied on his overseers to help keep his estates running smothly day-to-day.
  • The Spinning Room.
    The Spinning Room.
    Textile production was vital to achieving self-sufficiency at Mount Vernon. Washington practiced selective breeding of sheep to produce better quality wool, grew flax and hemp for making linen cloth and rope, and experimented with cultivating cotton silk.
  • The front of Mt. Vernon.
    The front of Mt. Vernon.
  • The Washhouse.
    The Washhouse.
    Two slave women worked up to six days a week washing table linens and clothing. They cleaned the Washingtons' garments, as well as those of house guests and some hired artisans and managers.
  • A riding chair.
    A riding chair.
    When a young man, George Washington acquired a riding chair similar to this 18th-century vehicle. Popular in America and England, riding chairs could travel country lanes and back roads more easily than bulkier four-wheeled chariots and coaches. Several slaves took care of the Mount Vernon vehicles, including Joe, a driver, and Jack, a wagoner. This coach house was reconstructed on the original site in 1894.
  • Washington's stable.
    Washington's stable.
  • The stable area was a hub of activity at Mount Vernon.
    The stable area was a hub of activity at Mount Vernon.
    Six slaves worked here, including Peter Hardimon, whose talent with horses and mules greatly impressed George Washington.
  • More of the stable.
    More of the stable.
  • The dung repository.
    The dung repository.
    The "repository for dung" was designed to compost animal manure and a variety of organic materiels to "cure" into fertilizer for use in the nearby gardens and orchard. The building illustrates George Washington's dedication to finding ways to improve the fertility of his soils, and to convert Mount Vernon into a model of progressive farming.
  • The tomb where George and Martha Washington's remains rest.
    The tomb where George and Martha Washington's remains rest.
  • The walkway to Washington's barn.
    The walkway to Washington's barn.
  • Farm Equipment.
    Farm Equipment.
    Washington looked far and wide for farm equipment to make his farming more efficient. Plows, harrows, and rollers were pulled by teams of horses, mules, or oxen to prepare the soil.
  • George washington invented this barn in 1792 to improve the processing of wheat.
    George washington invented this barn in 1792 to improve the processing of wheat.
    Slaves spread harvested wheat on the outer circle of the floor. Horses trotted in a circular path, and the impact of their hooves broke the wheat out of the straw.
  • The bowling green in front of Mount Vernon.
    The bowling green in front of Mount Vernon.
  • Martha Washington having a laugh.
    Martha Washington having a laugh.