The Beloved Plantation House Where George Washington Lived, Worked, and Eventually Died

Mount Vernon, Virginia

George Washington could have lived anywhere after becoming president. He chose Mount Vernon, a Virginia farm he spent 45 years perfecting. Its gardens, rooms, and views show us the man behind the legend.

Here’s the story about of the place Washington loved most in the world.

The Mansion on the Potomac

It all started with a simple tract of land along the Potomac River. In 1674, John Washington acquired this property that would become America’s most famous home. Augustine Washington, George’s father, built the first version around 1734 – a modest one-and-a-half-story structure.

When Augustine died in 1743, the property passed to George’s half-brother Lawrence, who renamed it “Mount Vernon” after Admiral Edward Vernon. George began leasing it in 1754 and inherited it in 1761 after Lawrence’s widow died. Washington expanded the estate to nearly 8,000 acres, divided into five separate farms.

When Young George First Called Mount Vernon Home

The teenage George Washington found his direction in life at Mount Vernon. After his father died when George was 11, his half-brother Lawrence became his mentor. At Lawrence’s invitation, young George absorbed everything from plantation management to proper social etiquette.

In the surrounding fields, Washington practiced the surveying skills that launched his early career. At 16, he joined George William Fairfax on a frontier surveying expedition. When Lawrence died in 1752, 20-year-old George began managing the estate, recording every detail in his meticulous handwriting.

Martha Moves In After A Winter Wedding

The January air was crisp when George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759. Martha brought more than her two children to the marriage. Her late husband had left her considerable wealth, including 84 enslaved people who would now work at Mount Vernon.

By April, the new family began their life together. Martha transformed the bachelor’s residence into a proper family home with her skilled household management. Though they never had children together, George embraced his role as stepfather.

The Visionary Who Redesigned An Entire Estate

George Washington wasn’t just a military man and statesman – he was an amateur architect with extraordinary vision. In the late 1750s, Washington raised the roof to create a full second story.

Then in 1774, as tensions with Britain mounted, he added the north and south wings. The most distinctive feature – the two-story piazza facing the Potomac – was entirely Washington’s idea.

This grand, columned porch was rarely seen on private homes. To give his wooden mansion the appearance of stone, Washington used rustication. Workers beveled wooden boards to look like stone blocks, then threw sand into wet paint.

The completed mansion measured nearly 11,000 square feet – ten times larger than average Virginia homes.

The Farmer Who Abandoned Tobacco For Innovation

Washington once believed his true calling was farming, not politics or warfare. Initially following Virginia tradition by planting tobacco, Washington soon found it problematic – depleting soil, requiring intense labor, and depending on unpredictable foreign markets.

In 1766, he abandoned tobacco almost entirely, shifting to wheat as his primary cash crop. Washington read scientific farming journals and designed complex six and seven-year crop rotation systems.

By 1799, his farms had tested nearly sixty different crops. To process his wheat, Washington built a gristmill on Dogue Run Creek. In 1797, his farm manager James Anderson suggested a whiskey distillery.

Within two years, it produced 11,000 gallons annually, becoming Mount Vernon’s most profitable enterprise.

Daily Life When Washington Was Home

George Washington lived by the clock and the seasons. He typically woke before dawn, reading or writing by candlelight in his private study.

After a simple breakfast of corncakes and honey, Washington mounted his horse for a daily inspection tour, covering around 20 miles across his five farms. Every Saturday, farm managers gathered to report their week’s activities.

Washington recorded everything meticulously. Dinner was served precisely at 3 p.m., with Martha proving an excellent hostess for both distinguished guests and family meals.

Evenings brought relaxation through conversation, correspondence, or social entertainment. Washington loved dancing and often hosted lively gatherings in the “New Room.” This disciplined schedule remained whenever he was in residence.

The 300 Enslaved People Who Built Mount Vernon

Behind Mount Vernon’s elegant facade lay the harsh reality of slavery. By 1799, 317 enslaved men, women, and children lived and worked across Washington’s five farms – more than 90% of the estate’s population.

Of these, 123 were owned by Washington himself, while 153 were “dower slaves” belonging to Martha’s first husband’s estate. Field hands worked from sunrise to sunset under overseers.

In summer, this meant 14-hour workdays. Skilled craftsmen produced essential goods while house servants worked directly in the mansion. Washington deliberately hid this labor from view, planting trees and positioning walls to block slave quarters from the mansion.

Despite brutal conditions, enslaved people created their own community, maintaining family connections across the farms.

The Distant Owner During Eight Years Of War

The American Revolution pulled Washington away from the home he loved. In May 1775, Washington left for the Second Continental Congress, returning as Commander-in-Chief. For the next eight years, he visited Mount Vernon only once. His cousin Lund Washington managed the estate, sending detailed reports.

The war came dangerously close in April 1781, when British warships anchored in the Potomac off Mount Vernon’s shores. Martha often joined her husband at winter encampments like Valley Forge, but worried constantly about the estate.

Throughout these years, Washington’s letters reveal his longing for Mount Vernon. He requested constant updates on his farms, mentally walking the grounds from hundreds of miles away. When Washington returned in December 1783, he hoped to remain for good.

The Presidential Retreat Only 434 Days In Eight Years

The presidency pulled Washington away from his beloved Mount Vernon once again. During his eight years as president, Washington spent only 434 days at his estate. Weekly reports crossed the country by mail, keeping him informed about crops, weather, and construction.

Washington responded with precise instructions, mentally managing his plantation from afar. The rare visits home became precious retreats. Washington would immediately change into comfortable farming clothes and mount his horse to inspect his fields.

Visitors began making pilgrimages to Mount Vernon during Washington’s presidency. The first president’s fame meant curious travelers sought glimpses of his private life. As his second term ended, Washington counted the days until his permanent return.

Final Retirement Among Endless Visitors

Washington’s retirement brought both joy and challenges. Returning to Mount Vernon in March 1797, he found the mansion and fields in serious disrepair.

With characteristic energy, the 65-year-old former president threw himself into restoration projects, repairing buildings and replanting gardens. But privacy proved elusive.

In 1798 alone, Washington hosted 677 overnight guests – family, friends, dignitaries, and strangers drawn by his fame. Many arrived unannounced, expecting meals and lodging. Between visitors, Washington restored his daily routine of farm inspections and correspondence.

He expanded his whiskey distillery, experimented with new crops, and enjoyed peaceful evenings with Martha. These final years brought contentment despite the steady stream of guests.

The December Day When America Lost Its Father

A winter storm changed the course of American history. On December 12, 1799, Washington spent hours riding in freezing rain and snow. Though soaked, the 67-year-old refused to change before dinner, not wanting to keep everyone waiting.

By morning, Washington awoke with a severe sore throat that grew steadily worse. His breathing became labored as inflammation restricted his airway. Three doctors employed standard treatments: bloodletting, blistering plasters, and emetics – likely hastening his decline.

Between ten and eleven on December 14, Washington died in his bedchamber with Martha at the foot of his bed. His last words were simply: “‘Tis well.” For four days, his body lay in the mansion’s New Room before burial in the family vault.

Visiting Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon welcomes visitors to walk in Washington’s footsteps year-round.

Located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, just 15 miles south of Washington, D.C., the estate opens at 9 a.m. daily, with closing times varying by season.

General admission includes access to grounds, outbuildings, gardens, tombs, farm, and museum. The Mansion requires a timed entry ticket though.

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