ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Mount Vernon, the beloved home of George and Martha Washington. Situated on property that once included 8,000 acres of wilderness and pastoral hill country next to the Potomac River in northeastern Virginia, the plantation home and grounds have been meticulously cared for over the past three-and-a-half centuries. Even with winter's fog and bare tree branches, there's still much to appreciate.
The season must have been a favorite of the Washingtons, as they were married on January 6, 1759, which was Twelfth Night, the last day of Christmas. No holiday celebration was complete without music, dancing and an 18th century version of hot chocolate. The Christmas tree wasn't part of American tradition yet, but pine boughs and garlands were used abundantly. Eventually a camel was brought to the estate for their guests' enjoyment. And there were always guests at the mansion -- often dozens at a time and hundreds annually. In fact, the original recipe for Martha's famous great cake included 40 eggs, four pounds each of butter and sugar, five pounds each of flour and fruit, including nuts, plus spices and other flavorings.
The mansion tour begins in the Ford Orientation Center where a short film introduces the young and heroic Washington to visitors.
On display is a one-twelfth scale exact replica of the mansion. Inside the miniature 22 rooms are hundreds of tiny objects: oil paintings, china, books, playing cards, linens, doorknobs that really turn, and more than 100 tables and chairs.
Once inside the actual home, decorative details and 18th century inventions will fascinate more than just history buffs. Faux finishes abound as southern yellow pine was used for the wood trim, wainscoting and interior doors. Using brushes and feathers the painting and graining was done to mimic mahogany and walnut woods. Several rooms are painted in the bright colors Washington was fond of, such as Prussian blue and verdigris green. Portraits and paintings of landscapes dot the walls.
Many original pieces of furniture are there, including the harpsichord Washington gave his granddaughter, Nellie, and Washington's bed where he passed away. A private staircase leads from the upstairs master bedroom to his study on the ground floor. Within those walls he would spend quiet hours reading, or writing some of the 20,000 letters he penned in his lifetime. His desk and presidential chair are in place, along with the unique fan-chair having one large blade attached to the top of a tall back, which was operated by a foot pedal to keep him cool. He very much liked new inventions, and developed a few of his own, including the 16-sided barn.
As for the gardens and grounds, although Washington never traveled to Europe, his eye for beauty and attention to detail guided him in designing gardens that looked much like the formal gardens of England. The orchard and nursery provided food for the household, and also seeds for experimentation. The brick floor of the greenhouse was kept warm with heated pipes underneath, for the benefit of his tropical plants.
Of all the positions Washington held, that of farmer was his true calling and what he enjoyed most. Today, the stables hold livestock similar to those kept by the family. There are brick-lined walkways, a bowling green, and the surrounding forest. Much larger in his day, the forest provided trees for firewood and construction of fence posts and rails, but also offered sport, as fox hunting was a favorite of most gentlemen.
With the abundance of farming and fishing, the river was the main line of transportation to and from Alexandria. Today, sightseeing cruises are available from late spring through early fall.
Of course, Washington's tomb is also located on the property, as directed in his will.
The estate remained in the family for over a hundred years. It was in the mid-1800s when the Mount Vernon Ladies Association purchased the mansion. They have taken great care of it ever since.
Mount Vernon is open every day of the year, including holidays. Tours are continuous, and wheelchair access is limited. Special hands-on demonstrations and events are scheduled at times. The Mount Vernon Inn serves lunch daily, Monday through Saturday. Elegant candlelit dinners are by reservation only. Colonial charm and servers dressed in period costumes attend guests in six intimate dining rooms, where early-American cuisine is served. Gift shops and a food court are on sight, as well as the museum and education center, which currently features an exhibit about Washington and his generals.
Just minutes from Washington, D.C., there's ample parking, with more to enjoy along the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, one of Virginia's many scenic byways.
For more information, go to www.mountvernon.org, or call (703)780-2000.
Debbie Croft was born in Virginia, and enjoys every opportunity to visit the beautiful mid-Atlantic state. She can be reached at composed@tds.net, or at her Sun-Star blog: City Girl, Country Life.
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