Archive for the ‘Research/Lectures’ Category

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 on those oft-ignored generals that helped win the American Revolution, such as Nathaniel Greene, Henry Knox, Benjamin Tallmedge, and Artemas Ward.

As soon as you walk into the exhibition, your eye is drawn to Emmanuel Leutze’s “Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth.” Done by the same artist that painted the famous scene of “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” this huge painting seems to shine a heavenly light on a young, strong General Washington. As he rears up on his mighty steed, the people around him seem to bow down before him, making you feel like you should do the same…

As you drag your eye from this larger than life portrayal of Washington, a vibrant red whips your head around. It is a red cloak worn by Artemas Ward in the Revolutionary War, at a time before officers had standard uniforms. Though this cloak was worn through a long, dirty war, over 200 years later it still seems to be as eye-catching as the day it was made. A wise fashion choice by a general whose life depended on keeping the attention of his men. Continue reading What Makes a General? »

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 Mount Vernon is preparing for autumn as well- the summer slipcovers have been replaced by heavy damask, the summer vegetables have come off the dining room table to make room for pumpkin and cabbage, and there will be no more ice cream (a Washington favorite!) until warmer weather returns. Other changes in the Washington household this autumn include:

• Martha Washington’s famous boiled ham remains on the table, which was always a favorite with the Washingtons’ many guests. Game hens are also on the table this season. Martha Washington owned Hannah Glasse’sThe Art of Cookery, which includes a recipe for dressing fowl with peas. Glasse notes that for the fall months “all sorts of fowl, both wild and tame, are in season.”
• Crabapples are in the kitchen being prepared for cider. On April 1, 1799, Washington received a letter from Nicholas Fitzhugh who wrote “I send you by the Bearer some Seed of the Hugh’s Crab apple which I have lately received…” “Hewe’s crabapple” was perhaps the most famous apple in the South for making cider. Washington cultivated crabapples at Mount Vernon and also drank crabapple cider. Crabapples are tough and not easily eaten, but Washington grew other varieties of more edible apples at Mount Vernon which were also harvested in the fall. Continue reading Autumn Settles on Mount Vernon »

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 the gardens, but not enough to reconstruct it accurately. As the archaeologists dig through layers of dirt, they look for dark brown rectangular stains in the dirt, which would indicate the location of an original planting bed. Once they find a good sample of the layout, the gardeners will reconstruct the gardens to its 1799 form. The holes that you see in the picture indicate where large roots have decomposed over time. No garden tools besides flower pot shards have been found, but archaeologists are finding refuse from the inhabitants of Mount Vernon.

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 they conceive calculated to answer the purpose.” – George Washington, 1788

Educators, we welcome your reservations to attend the Seventh Annual George Washington Teachers’ Institute, which will take place on July 21-22 at Mount Vernon. 2008′s Institute will focus on the Constitution and feature the usual array of noted historians and authors, including Cokie Roberts, Woody Holton, John Kaminski, Katherine Allgor, Harlow Unger, Ken Bowling, and Linda Monk. For more details and the daily agenda, read on or download the schedule flyer here.

Reservations are absolutely required.

Please reserve by calling 703-799-8604 or emailing Education@mountvernon.org.

Spaces are limited for this popular event; you may be placed on a waiting list.

Continue reading Reserve Now for the George Washington Teachers’ Institute! »