Free February: Washington's Birthday at Mount Vernon
Details
Let's celebrate George Washington's birthday with a free visit to Mount Vernon! Yeah, I know, 8am is kinda early, but we'll need an early start to beat the rush and have time for the movie, the mansion tour, a walking tour of the grounds, and still finish in time for the 11:15 performance by the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps.
http://rulersandleaders.com/historic_paintings/J-GW-at-Valley-Forge.jpg
The route: We'll begin at the Ford Orientation Center with a 20-minute action-adventure movie, "We Fight to be Free." After the movie we'll reassemble and make our way up to the Mansion via the Upper Garden, passing the Greenhouse, Blacksmith Shop, and Spinning House along our way. At the mansion we'll join the (hopefully short) queue for the 20- to 30-minute tour. After the tour we'll reassemble on the east side of the mansion, while enjoying the view of the Potomac River as George Washington would have seen it. From there we'll continue our walking tour, passing the Kitchen, Smokehouse, Lower Garden, pens and paddocks and the Stable. After visiting both the Old and New Tombs and the Slave Memorial we'll make our way to the Wharf on the Potomac River. Turning west, we'll walk through the Pioneer Farm to visit the 16-sided barn and reconstructed Slave Cabin. We'll then make our way back via the Forest Trail to Bowling Green Gate, hopefully arriving in time to see the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps and the Commander‐in‐Chief’s Guard perform on Bowling Green at 11:15 am. After their 15-minute performance we'll exit via the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.
The walking tour is an easy 1.7 miles of smiles, and the surfaces are mostly pebble paths. It will be pretty busy because of the birthday celebrations, so our visit will probably take us about 3 hours. (Or at least, that's what the helpful lady at the front desk told me.)
Here's our walking tour map: http://tinyurl.com/lkfyyry
How to get there: Mount Vernon is 16 miles south of Washington, D.C. and 8 miles south of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, at the southern end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. From US-1/Richmond Highway (either direction) take VA-235/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway to the traffic circle in front of the entrance. Parking is free. For more details, see: http://tinyurl.com/peytv8a
What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (see dog visitation policy below). Food is not allowed in the historic area or in the Museum and Education Center. Large bags and backpacks are not permitted. Bundle up! The layered look is fashionable, and it will be a brisk morning.
Weather: The forecast is sunny and clear, with a high of 24 degrees and 6-7 mph breezes. Updates here: http://tinyurl.com/op3o3mh
Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is permitted in this group.
Administrative stuff: There are restroom facilities at the Ford Orientation Center, the Museum, and the Gift Shop/Food Court/Inn complex.
Notes:
• Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA, 703-780-2000, http://www.mountvernon.org/
• Interactive map: http://tinyurl.com/lpma7u3
• Birthday celebration schedule: http://tinyurl.com/nwjf5g8
• Dog visitation policy: http://tinyurl.com/q5x8jbh
(Illustration: "George Washington at Valley Forge," by Frederick Coffay Yohn)