Mount Vernon Part 2

Okay, so now we've left the mansion and settled into our wanders around the grounds. It's amazing to think that this place used to be 8000 acres. It's now just a fraction of that (forgive me, I can't remember off the top of my head, but less than 1000). The Mount Vernon Ladies Association was able to buy the property shortly after the Civil War for $200,000. Makes you realize just how much of a treasure this place is considering $200 would've made you wealthy then. Anyway, it's a good thing they did. The farm was in disrepair, despite remaining in the family and being lived in.

We wandered down the South Lane outbuildings and were able to look into the laundry, storage for George Washington's linseed oils, paints, etc. Talk about a fire waiting to happen!! We saw the yard the laundry was dried in. The stable was in the English tie-stall style (that means the horses would've been cross-tied in halters in a narrow stall, long enough to lay down, but no turning around. Still used in places today, but I much prefer a box stall) with the tack placed on racks high on the wall posts of the stalls. I, of course, loved this. Washington was such a horseman; he trained his animals himself, participated in fox hunts, helped found a couple of hunts (Piedmont Hounds, for example), bred and raised very fine racing stock, and made sure his horses were better taken care of than himself. There is actual documentation that his 2 mounts from the Revolution (Blue Skin and Nelson) not only lived their retirement until death here, but that he saw to it their teeth were brushed daily. Ironic, isn't it? Considering Washington only had one of his own teeth left and used scores of poorly fitting dentures (NOT WOOD!!)....

The stable also had an 18th Century coach that was a neighbor's. It is here because it is said to be identical to the Washington Family coach, but that one was lost many, many years ago. A riding chair is here, as well. Interesting buggy! The stable burned and many of most valuable horses were lost while Washington resided on Mount Vernon. He had it rebuilt in brick. It's an incredible building.

The back of the stable is the mule shed. Washington is the reason the United States has mules. He imported a couple of donkey jacks for the specific purpose of breeding them to horses to make mules. They replaced his work horses in a short time, and he was able to sell mules to others for work animals. It's hard to believe the many things this man contributed to modern agriculture!

We wandered on down the hill and viewed the old family tomb. It now stands empty, but it is a sight to behold! Washington had it in his will that a new tomb be constructed because this one was deteriorating too quickly. The new tomb was constructed well after his death, but it is on the spot he clearly said it should be. Both he and Mrs. Washington's sarcophagus' are made of marble, and nearly the entire family is entombed here.

Weird story about the new tomb: I have already mentioned the George Washington died in the house. What I don't think I mentioned is that he basically suffocated to death from a disease called Quinsy (this is controversial, but it's official). When I took a moment to step up to the gate and pay my respects to this man who so intrigues me, my throat immediately closed up and I started hacking for breath!!! As soon as I stepped away and officially out of the tomb enclosure, I was fine. Grabbed a bottle of water and gulped some down, but was able to breath again before the water. Freaky, huh?

We were running out of time, so I am sad to say we missed the circular/treading barn, the slave cemetery and memorial, greenhouse, most of the gardens, and so much more. For that very reason I will be going back someday. Well, for more reason that that, but still....

The weather was kind to us since it rained on us during both our drive up and our drive back to Fredericksburg, but we had cloudy and dry skies for our visit to Mount Vernon. I'm happy about this! We even were rained on while waiting an incredible amount of time for our table! We did have a great dinner and a good drive home. It was a lovely ending to a fantastic day.....