George Washington Wired

George Washington: The Video Game

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:20:14 +0000

Our very first 3-D animated Mount Vernon website is now live! Ta Da! WashingtonsWorld.org is a website that allows children of all ages to explore Mount Vernon and meet some of the people, such as Dr. Craik and Billy Lee, that lived in Washington’s world. The game Washington’s Treasures is a treasure hunt through the [...]

Drumroll please…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:49 +0000

We are so pleased to announce the launch of two brand spankin’ new, “gonna blow your mind,”” just can’t control the excitement” websites! We will feature the first today, and check back tomorrow for the second (it’s called building the suspense). As you know, we have something of a love affair with Martha Washington- she [...]

G.I. George: The Revolutionary War Version

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:38:01 +0000

Through dedication and determination, George Washington accomplished the impossible by leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. On Thursday, October 29th at 1:00 p.m., our panel of historians, including Caroline Cox, William Fowler, Ed Lengel, and Andrew O’Shaughnessy, will explore how Washington’s leadership was instrumental in securing American independence via the distance [...]

Martha Washington’s Booke of Cookery

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:24:48 +0000

The full title of this book sums up its history pretty well: “Martha Washington’s Booke of Cookery and Booke of Sweetmeats being a Family Manuscript curiously copied by an unknown Hand sometime in the seventeenth century, which was in her Keeping from 1749, the time of her Marriage to Daniel Custis, to 1799, at which [...]

Colonial Days Giveaway!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:14:46 +0000

Colonial Days is one of Mount Vernon’s most popular school programs- what child doesn’t want to see colonial crafters such as papermakers and basketmakers, meet a soldier in full regalia, visit the baby animals, or play colonial games down on the Pioneer Farm? It’s the ultimate field trip experience. Of course, teachers seem to love [...]

Are You Looking for “The Lost Symbol”? It’s Not Here!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:54:21 +0000

Yes, George Washington was a Freemason. Yes, we know you are reading Dan Brown’s recently released “The Lost Symbol” and are now planning your trip to Mount Vernon to come look for hidden Masonic symbols. Well, hate to disappoint but you won’t find them here. But here is what we do know about George Washington [...]

Is your Principal a Very Busy Person?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:23:21 +0000

Since we know how crazy things can get in the principal’s office at the beginning of the school year, we have decided to make lives easier! As you all know, your school can get a FREE oil painting of Rembrandt Peale’s “Porthole Portrait of George Washington” to hang in a highly visible place in your [...]

#7 Put Not Off Your Clothes in the Presence of Others

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:48:04 +0000

Esquire magazine has a hilarious new article online by an author who attempts to live his life by the 110 maxims of the “Rules of Civility” that George Washington copied as a young boy. Our personal favorite is, “Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any [...]

Who Doesn’t Love a Slide Show?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:25:47 +0000

For our Teachers’ Institute Alumni, we have recently put together a slideshow to help you with peer presentations and conferences. This gives a broad overview of the education programs that Mount Vernon provides to all teachers. Enjoy! Mount Vernon Education Programs View more presentations from Mount Vernon.

It’s Time To Redecorate Your School!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:07:16 +0000

As bulletin boards get refreshed and schools are squeaky cleaned, why not redecorate your main entrance or library? We can help! Mount Vernon is pleased to be distributing beautiful oil portraits of George Washington by Rembrandt Peale, accompanied by our Celebration Kit featuring a flag flown over Mount Vernon and teaching resources, for FREE to [...]

Let’s C-SPAN It Up!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:29:51 +0000

Portions from this year’s Teachers’ Institute, co-hosted by the White House Historical Association, will be broadcast on C-SPAN over the coming weeks. The schedule for this weekend is: Saturday, August 15 12:55pm-2:05pm Mount Vernon: Teachers’ Institute – Richard Norton Smith 2:05pm-3:00pm Mount Vernon: Teachers’ Institute – Scott Berg Sunday, August 16 1:00pm-3:00pm Mount Vernon: Teachers’ Institute – Panel Discussion A [...]

Chez Washington

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:33:09 +0000

Renowned chef and trend-setter Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in California visited the estate last month, touring the gardens with Dean Norton, Mount Vernon’s own “plants guru,” and enjoying a luncheon at the Mount Vernon Inn that was at least 75 percent “homegrown.” (Our chef’s own chickens volunteered the eggs for a terrific quiche, with [...]

Love & War at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:59:16 +0000

Many visitors and GWW readers do not know that Mount Vernon is owned by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. Fifty years after Washington’s death, a group of women banded together to raise money and purchase Mount Vernon in order to preserve it for future generations (as you can see from the picture on the left, [...]

Name Our Children’s Website Contest

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:56:03 +0000

Drumroll please… It’s time for the first ever official GWW contest! That’s right- we need a name for our new children’s website and who better to ask than the very teachers that will be using it this fall. The website will feature a 3-D virtual Mount Vernon estate that the player can explore while searching [...]

Happy Bastille Day!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:39:37 +0000

Yes, GWW did not have a Happy Independence Day blog post a couple weeks ago (due to the Education staff happily being too busy eating hot dogs that day), so to make up for it we will instead celebrate French independence. There are actually many U.S. cities that celebrate Bastille Day in an official capacity- [...]

Live from Mount Vernon!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:01:23 +0000

This past Saturday and Monday, a group of students in Tammy Parks’ Broadcast Journalism class did a live videoconference into the NECC conference in Washington, D.C. from the front lawn of Mount Vernon. Traveling by van all the way from Howe, Oklahoma, these immensely talented students, their teacher, and their superintendent, had only one day [...]

This little piggy…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:12:55 +0000

Last weekend, three piglets were born to our proud Ossabaw Island hog parents. These rare breed hogs date back to the Spanish explorers of the 17th century. George Washington’s hogs ran wild in the woods until they were caught, fattened on corn and potatoes, and slaughtered for food each fall. Pork, bacon, sausage, scrapple, chitterlings, [...]

An Honorary Son

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:52:03 +0000

The Marquis de Lafayette (full name: Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier- whoa!) was born to immense wealth in France, but at 19 years old he bought a ship and sailed to South Carolina to join the American Revolution, arriving on June 13th. He volunteered to serve in the Patriot army without pay, [...]

Top Chef: Mount Vernon Edition

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:45:05 +0000

“He rose before sunrise, always wrote or read until 7 in summer or half past seven in winter. His breakfast was then ready – he ate three small mush cakes (Indian meal) swimming in butter and honey, and drank three cups of tea without cream.” George Washington’s breakfast habits were recorded by his step-granddaughter, Nelly Custis [...]

Meet an Interpreter: Cathy Bonnefil

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:37:49 +0000

It’s that time again! GWW interviews Cathy Bonnefil this month- one of the blue-blazered history geniuses that bring George Washington to life for over a million visitors each year. GWW: Why did you become an interpreter? CB: I had always been interested in history, but during my working career I really never had the time to [...]

Chickens Are So Trendy

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:43:20 +0000

So raising chickens is definitely the new cool thing in case you had not heard. The Washington Post, New York Times, and USA Todaywill all attest. Whether it’s in the middle of a Manhattan co-op or on the back stoop of a DC rowhouse, more and more people are finding space for their fluffy friends, [...]

Happy Birthday, Martha!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Martha Washington has had quite the year so far- she was featured in newspapers, television shows, several GWW posts, and even People magazine recently named her the sexiest historical figure! Huzzah! June 2nd (1731) is the birth date of Martha Washington, and if you have the same birthday or your name is “Martha,” you get [...]

George Washington Wordled

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:20:59 +0000

Wordle is a fascinating website that allows you to create word clouds out of text. The word clouds give prominence to the words that are repeated the most. A word cloud of President Obama’s inaugural address highlights the words “nation,” “new,” “people,” “world,” and “today.” As a comparison, President Bush’s 2005 inaugural address word cloud [...]

Cartoons in the Classroom

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:14:50 +0000

On May 9, 1754, the first political cartoon was published by Benjamin Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette. Most likely designed by Franklin himself, the snake cut into pieces represents Britain’s American colonies. The cartoon was a reminder that the colonies must unite to defend themselves as they entered the French and Indian War. The snake [...]

What are you doing George Washington?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:31:36 +0000

You know when your mother and your congressperson are using a new technology, it is probably here to stay. Weeell… until it is replaced by the next big thing, of course. The “new technology” we are talking about is Twitter, and now even Mount Vernon is twitting! You can find us under the name “GeoWashington.” [...]

Could you use $5,000?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:48:35 +0000

If you are an exceptional history teacher who would like a $5,000 cash award, free field trip to Mount Vernon, and an invitation to stay for a week on the grounds of Mount Vernon for the 2010 Teachers’ Institute, then you are in luck! The application deadline for the Mount Vernon History Teacher of the [...]

Happy Birthday, Washington City!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:44:28 +0000

In 1790, Congress authorized President George Washington to find a site along the Potomac River for a capitol city, and he picked a spot just up the river from his home at Mount Vernon. This was the first time a country had ever established a permanent capitol by legislative action. An area of one hundred [...]

George Washington: Environmentalist

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:51:41 +0000

As we celebrate Earth Day today, we would just like to take a second to recognize George Washington as America’s First Environmentalist. Unlike another famous Founding Father who wrote a lot about his gardening practices (we’re looking at you, TJ), Washington’s contributions to farming are often overlooked because he was too busy leading an army [...]

The Shot Heard ‘Round The World

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:39:12 +0000

On April 19, 1775, seven hundred British troops marched out from Boston to seize any colonial weapons they found. When they reached Lexington, 75 American minutemen were waiting on the village green. Both sides were ordered not to shoot, but suddenly a shot rang out. No one is sure to this day who fired it. [...]

A “Modern-Day-Colonial” Blacksmith

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:27:04 +0000

The phrase “modern-day blacksmith” is used to describe smiths that operate today, but in the case of Mount Vernon, we seem to have recently hired a “modern-day-colonial” blacksmith. The newest craftsman at Mount Vernon, Eric Zieg, grew up in Fairfax, Virginia and has been smithing for over twelve years in some of the finest shops [...]

Rule #1- No Cell Phones in Restaurants

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:20:20 +0000

A new project at the University of Virginia, the Civility Project, is encouraging young people to review George Washington’s “Rules of Civility” and create standards of social behavior for Americans of the 21st century. Students of all ages can read the “Rules” (available through the Papers of George Washington) and submit their own rule of [...]

Is Mount Vernon Burning?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:30:45 +0000

In January of 1781, British armed forces entered Virginia in strength and ravaged much of the countryside. In April, as part of this invasion, His Majesty’s sloop of war, the Savage, sailed up the Potomac burning and pillaging rebel American properties along its shores and laid at anchor April 12, 13 & 14th, just one [...]

Meet An Interpreter: Diana Dinsick

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:55:24 +0000

We know that visitors often wonder about the blue blazer-ed interpreters here who can describe in detail every piece of furniture in Mount Vernon and know exactly what George Washington was doing on April 7, 1798. Today, we want to introduce you to Diana Dinsick, who has been a Mount Vernon interpreter for over ten [...]

Once Upon A Time At Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:18:59 +0000

Oral storytelling has existed for as long as there has been language, often serving to teach children right from wrong. Only in the past several years has storytelling become popularly recognized as an art form, with festivals, contests, and organizations popping up around the world. We’re sure Aesop would approve. As a young boy, [...]

Lessons from Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:28:47 +0000

You may be wondering why we have posted so many lesson plans lately, though we hope you have enjoyed them. After six months of development, we are SO pleased to announce our new CD-ROM of teaching materials, George Washington: Lessons from Mount Vernon, which includes the lesson plans that have been recently posted. The CD [...]

A Humble Hero

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:22:30 +0000

On March 15th, 1783, George Washington faced a group of angry officers, upset that they had not been paid yet for their years of fighting in the Revolutionary War. Congress had no funds and the new states were refusing to pay the pensions that had been promised to the soldiers. As the soldiers sat around [...]

You’re such a lobster…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:24:32 +0000

On the night of March 5, 1770, a crowd of “unruly” Americans taunted British soldiers by brandishing clubs and calling them “lobsters” (red coat, get it?). As the crowd closed in on them, the frightened soldiers opened fire and after the smoke cleared, five colonists lay dead or wounded. As news of the “Boston Massacre” [...]

What Makes a General?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:26:06 +0000

The Donald W. Reynolds Museum has just opened a new exhibition, “George Washington & His Generals,” and it is AMAZING (though we admit we are a biased source). Washington’s ability to place the greatest responsibility in the hands of those with the most talent was one of his most important leadership skills. The exhibition focuses [...]

If Only George Was Here to Eat Them…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:52:09 +0000

Last Friday, our George Washington Teaching Ambassador, Jan McClaren, threw a birthday party for George Washington and all of her guests brought cake! Forty schools participated in the George Washington Birthday Cake Contest at the Oklahoma History Center, and our esteemed judges were experts of both history and pastry (even though the cakes were faux). [...]

Washington’s Farewell

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:07:57 +0000

Since 1862, the United States Senate observes Washington’s birthday by reading his 1796 Farewell Address aloud, and today is that day once again. The Address is usually read by a freshman senator, alternates between political parties, and takes about 45 minutes to read. The senators then sign their name into the black leather book pictured [...]

George Washington: Whiskey Maker Extraordinaire

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:31:05 +0000

Did you know that George Washington was likely the largest whiskey distributor in the nation at the time of his death in 1799? It isn’t really a fact found in textbooks, but Washington was an incredible entrepreneur and his farms, gristmill, and distillery were extremely productive and innovative. At a time when most Virginia planters [...]

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:00:02 +0000

The birthday of ‘The Father of His Country’ always brings a sense of giddy excitement to Mount Vernon. Admission is free, thousands of families travel hours to honor Washington’s memory, and we know that every elementary student in the nation will be cutting Washington’s silhouette out of black construction paper this week. Here’s some Washington’s Birthday [...]

Get Colonial!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:38:50 +0000

It’s that time again… Colonial Days at Mount Vernon! Starting next Wed, February 17th through March 13th, our colonial crafters take up residence on the Pioneer Farm, and students have the chance to observe crafts such as paper making, candle making, woodworking, spinning and even hoe-cake cooking over an open fire. In addition, our animals [...]

A Packed (Green)House!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:10:45 +0000

In a recent study of 5000 outdoor history museum visitors, 82% said that they visited these sites to “hear stories of everyday people.” The second and third runner-ups were, “because they were places for children to learn history” (79%) and, “to immerse themselves in the past” (62%).* At Mount Vernon, one of the most popular [...]

Yes, Martha was a hottie.

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:01:11 +0000

Finally, the world is starting to acknowledge what we at Mount Vernon have realized all along- Martha rocked! She was intelligent (she ran her first husband’s very large estate after his death), generous (she graciously hosted hundreds of visitors to Mount Vernon every year), compassionate (she raised money for wounded Revolutionary War veterans’ hospitals), and [...]

George Washington in the News

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:39:26 +0000

That is the title of February’s issue of Scholastic News, featuring Mount Vernon’s bronze statue of George Washington on the cover. The “news” about George Washington includes the discovery of his childhood home by archaeologists recently, as well as the analysis of a set of George Washington’s fake teeth that showed the materials included elephant [...]

Let History Guide Us

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:04:39 +0000

As Barack Obama was sworn in on Tuesday as 44th president here in our nation’s capitol, history was being made. President Obama, however, used the opportunity to reflect back on our nation’s past and quote the “Father of His Country.” Two million people shivered in the Washington, D.C. wind as President Obama remembered another freezing [...]

Happy 250th Anniversary, George & Martha!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:32:11 +0000

Today marks the 250th wedding anniversary of George and Martha Washington! The Washingtons had a whirlwind courtship- George had only met Martha twice and known her for three weeks before he proposed! The 27 year old widowed Martha had a three year old daughter, Patsy, and a five year old son, Jacky, when she married [...]

The Very First Inauguration

Mount Vernon Education Department — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:57:37 +0000

In these weeks before the upcoming Inauguration, police predict Inauguration crowds in nearby Washington D.C. to top three million, visitors scramble for last minute hotel rooms, and journalists are working themselves into a frenzy. At the very first inauguration, 221 years ago, this excitement would have seemed familiar. George Washington left Mount Vernon on April [...]

There is no “I” in Team

Mount Vernon Education Department — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:06:43 +0000

If you ever had a coach say, “there is no “I” in team,” you know they were telling players that a team has to work well together to play well. One of the best teams at Mount Vernon’s Pioneer Farm is Harriet and Henrietta. Both these big girls are Shires, which are the tallest of [...]

Get Excited for the George Washington Teachers’ Institute!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:01:26 +0000

Applications for the George Washington Teachers’ Institute have just been posted on our website! The Teachers’ Institute gives teachers of all grades the opportunity to reside on the grounds of Mount Vernon and attend sessions by some of the best scholars in the nation. Participants are immersed in a full schedule of workshops and lectures [...]

Happy Holidays!!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:04:25 +0000

We would just like to wish our loyal readers a happy holiday! Photo by L. Toshio Kishiyama

Blueskin and Aladdin Ride Again

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:01:11 +0000

In case our GWW readers did not see Sunday’s Washington Post article about George Washington’s horse, Blueskin, you can read the full article here. A Post reader wrote the Answer Man to ask: “There’s a stuffed horse at Mount Vernon, a really good-looking white horse that made me wonder: Where did they get the horse [...]

Our Top Picks for Student Reading

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:32:00 +0000

We often get requests from teachers about what books we recommend their students read to learn about George Washington and 18th century American history. The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Learning Center for Teachers has now provided a Suggested Reading List for teachers in response to your requests. The list is divided by Elementary/Middle School and High [...]

Workin’ on the Farm…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:11:39 +0000

Mount Vernon annually accepts a select number of applicants for summer internships at our Pioneer Farm site and our Distillery & Gristmill site. These internships are excellent opportunities for undergraduate students interested in American and agricultural history as well as the museum education field. Interns will become immersed in 18th century history, agriculture, and industry [...]

Bring Mount Vernon to YOUR Classroom!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:23:29 +0000

Would your students like to sing a slave song with Caroline, Martha Washington’s maidservant, or hear Billy Lee’s stories of riding alongside George Washington in the Revolutionary War? This is a privilege usually reserved for students who visit Mount Vernon on a field trip, but we are now bringing our popular Washington’s World first person [...]

George Washington Proclaims Thanksgiving!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:10:19 +0000

The very first presidential proclamation issued in the United States was actually a Proclamation of Thanksgiving by George Washington in 1789. The original manuscript was lost for 130 years, reappearing in 1921 at a New York art auction. Dr. J.C. Fitzgerald recognized the document and purchased it for $300 to be placed in the Library [...]

Mark your Calendars for ‘Primarily George’!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:59:47 +0000

The Mount Vernon Education Dept. knows how important teaching with primary documents is to teachers- after all, what better source is there than the original. For this reason, we provide a link on our website to the digital edition of the Papers of George Washington, as well as a number of lesson plans that use [...]

Extreme Makeover: George Washington Edition

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:56:37 +0000

Created by a forensic anthropologist and a team of interdisciplinary experts, the forensic figures of George Washington in Mount Vernon’s new Donald W. Reynolds Education Center, strive to show the real George Washington. There are three figures of George Washington, ages 19, 45, and 57: Washington as a young surveyor, as a General in the [...]

A Little Girl at Old Mt. Vernon

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:19:34 +0000

That is the title of a Washington Post front page article on Sunday, November 2, 1930 of an interview they conducted with Eleanor Washington Howard. Eleanor was the last person to be born at Mount Vernon, in George Washington’s former bedroom nonetheless, and grew up running around the gardens of Martha Washington. My favorite line [...]

Our Teacher Learning Center Goes Online!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:31:24 +0000

The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Learning Center is a place for teachers to research 18th century American History, review curriculum kits, use the scholarly edition of the Papers of George Washington, and get custom packets of teaching resources to take back to their own classrooms. Teachers love to drop by the Learning Center while here on [...]

You are Invited to Educator’s Evening!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:23:35 +0000

One of our most popular programs for teachers is the annual Educator’s Evening at Mount Vernon, where teachers are invited to a Cocktail Reception and Candlelight Tour of George Washington’s home. This year, we are extending the invitation to our George Washington Wired readers! The tour and reception will be followed by remarks from William M. [...]

George Washington Prize for Teaching America’s Founding

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:03:53 +0000

For the past ten years, the Bill of Rights Institute has partnered with the Mount Vernon Education Dept. on a range of wonderful programs from Teachers’ Institutes to Teaching American History grants. Recently, the Bill of Rights Institute awarded their George Washington Prize for Teaching America’s Founding and a $2,500 cash award to Christopher Belch [...]

Autumn Settles on Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:27:38 +0000

Across the country, leaves are turning the brightest reds and yellows, pumpkins and mums are decorating front porches, and grocery stores are finally selling those acorn squash that sat untouched all summer. Mount Vernon is preparing for autumn as well- the summer slipcovers have been replaced by heavy damask, the summer vegetables have come off [...]

Scouting Days are Coming!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:27:20 +0000

Mount Vernon is proud to welcome Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to participate in the 18th annual Scouting Days at Mount Vernon program, which will be held November 1, 2008 through Presidents’ Day. During that time, scouts in uniform or with official identification will receive free admission to Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon will kick off the [...]

The Most Historic Presidency of All…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:22:09 +0000

On October 14, 2008, the Mount Vernon Education Department and the Fairfax Network will tape a distance learning broadcast called Shaping the Presidency, which will look back at the profound impact George Washington had on defining the office of the president. The panelists will also discuss how campaigning, the election process and the role of [...]

We’re Having a Revolution!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:55:54 +0000

We’re starting a Revolution in the Teachers Learning Center! Who’s creating this excitement? There’s Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and, of course, George Washington! James and Dolley Madison, Betsy Ross, Pocahontas, Abigail Adams, and Martha Washington are in attendance as well. This names only a few of the 18th century famous beings who [...]

18th Century Chocolate- Yum!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:57:44 +0000

The 18th century Foodways program at Mount Vernon is loved by visitors of all ages for the delicious hoe-cakes they cook at special events. The hoe-cakes use a recipe recorded in a letter by Nelly Custis (George Washington’s granddaughter), made from cornmeal ground at our own Gristmill, and are cooked on a griddle over an [...]

Oklahoma Loves George Washington!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:40:43 +0000

This summer, the new George Washington Teaching Ambassador for the state of Oklahoma, Jan McClaren, came to Mount Vernon to attend two of our Teacher Institutes, and returned home full of ideas and George Washington-love. This two-year Teaching Ambassador program, funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, makes it possible for Jan to travel the [...]

Mount Vernon Archaeology in Action!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:51:11 +0000

As the Mount Vernon Restoration Department concludes the third and final year of excavation in the Upper Garden, they have made a number of interesting discoveries. The archaeologists are looking for the original planting beds and pathways from 1799, the final year of George Washington’s life. The historical record has descriptions and an overview of [...]

Meet an Interpreter: Charlene Williamson

Mount Vernon Education Department — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:16:45 +0000

Have you ever wondered about the historic interpreters that you meet at Mount Vernon? How were they so lucky to get a job where they look out at one of the best views in the country all day long? Are they all history majors? How can they stand in that heat all day while still [...]

Huzzah! Dean Howarth of Project Enlightenment

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:04:18 +0000

Dean Howarth, a Physics teacher at Mclean High School, has been bringing students to Mount Vernon for 15 years as part of a program he founded called Project Enlightenment. Students develop an 18th century character and then become a first person interpreter for a day at Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon recently honored Dean for his [...]

Resource of the Month: “Primary Source Readers”

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:45:56 +0000

The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Learning Center for Teachers opened in the spring of 2007, and since then our Education Center Manager, Diana Cordray, has worked hard to acquire every resource available for teaching about George Washington and the Revolutionary Era. The Learning Center for Teachers is open daily and is a place for teachers to [...]

George Washington Teachers’ Institutes a Resounding Success!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:22:00 +0000

The tenth year of George Washington Teachers’ Institutes has come to a close, and we are so sorry to see our teachers go! From a one week Institute for Mississippi teachers ten years ago, the George Washington Teachers’ Institutes have grown to four separate Institutes with teachers sponsored from 14 different states. This [...]

Cokie Roberts speaks at George Washington Teachers’ Institute

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:57:33 +0000

Excitement at George Washington’s Gristmill & Distillery!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:39:18 +0000

This past weekend, as part of the Now Debate This program, high school students visited Mount Vernon to learn about George Washington and paid a special visit to George Washington’s Gristmill and Distillery.The Day 2 video on their website includes Mount Vernon’s Director of Preservation, Dennis Pogue, and the Manager of the Pioneer Farm, Gristmill, [...]

Washington’s Valet, Billy Lee, Rides Again!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:03:04 +0000

(A dispatch from Mount Vernon’s First Person Interpretation Unit) … well, not literally. However, the First Person Unit has indeed added a new character to engage Mount Vernon’s guests: William “Billy” Lee, General Washington’s trusted and longtime enslaved Valet – and the first slave freed by Washington’s will. The new character is played by former Williamsburg Actor-Interpreter [...]

Reserve Now for the George Washington Teachers’ Institute!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:57:21 +0000

The Seventh Annual George Washington Teachers’ Institute “Establishing a Nation: The Constitution” July 21-22, 2008 Mount Vernon “We exhibit at present the Novel and astonishing Spectacle of a whole People deliberating calmly on what form of government will be the most conducive to their happiness; and deciding with an unexpected degree of unanimity in favour of a System which [...]

Two Thousand Portraits of George on the Wall…

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:50:26 +0000

As you may have heard, Mount Vernon’s recent initiative to “bring George Washington back to school” has proven a resounding success! To date, about 2,000 schools have received (and about 4,000 schools have requested) our free, framed reproductions of Rembrandt Peale’s Porthole Portrait of George Washington. All portraits are accompanied by a “George Washington Celebration [...]

DC-Area Teachers: Two Weeks Left to Apply for $5,000 Award!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:47:42 +0000

Magnificent and Motivating Teachers: This is just a friendly reminder that Mount Vernon is about to conclude the search for our 2008 History Teacher of the Year. We welcome applications from the best teachers in our “neighborhood” of the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Only two weeks remain until the application deadline of May 21, [...]

Washington, Adams, Hollywood, and Free DVDs!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:44:11 +0000

Members of Mount Vernon’s Education Department have fielded repeated questions about our opinion of the portrayal of Washington in HBO’s popular John Adams miniseries. We’d like to use this opportunity to raise what we think is a more compelling question: How can and should historic sites and classroom teachers capitalize on the interest Hollywood increasingly [...]

Readings About Washington for the Political Campaign Season

Mount Vernon Education Department — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:40:27 +0000

Yale University Professor Dr. Joanne Freeman, Mount Vernon’s 2007 Gay Hart Gaines Visiting Fellow of American History, recently delivered a three-lecture series at Mount Vernon aimed at providing a better understanding of Washington as a political leader – timely reading for this political campaign season! Learning to Think Nationally: Realities and Challenges of Washington’s World discusses [...]

Teaching American History Grants? We Can Help!

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:08:45 +0000

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is pleased to participate in the Teaching American History Grant program! We have designed a range of full and half day program options presented by curators, archaeologists, historians, and other subject matter experts from Mount Vernon’s staff and partnering institutions, including George Mason University, The George Washington University, [...]

How Many Martha Washingtons Does It Take to Teach Your Students?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:25:24 +0000

…For our latest distance learning broadcast, we decided it took two of them! In order to get to know “The Real Martha Washington,” elementary students in our live studio audience had the opportunity to ask questions of not one, but two expert historical interpreters who portray the “first First Lady!” Mary Wiseman, Mount Vernon’s “resident Martha,” [...]

Are You the Greatest History Teacher in the First President’s Neighborhood?

Mount Vernon Education Department — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:29:55 +0000

“Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.” ~George Washington’s First Annual Address to Congress, 1790 George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is pleased to announce the Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year Award for Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area teachers of grades 3-12! The home of George Washington is seeking to [...]