Posts Tagged ‘George Washington’

Daylight-saving time wasn’t a part of American life until the late 19th century, but that didn’t mean it was easy for people in the 18th century to guestimate whether it was dinnertime or not. Growling stomachs are notorious culprits for fast-forwarding internal clocks.

How did the many guests who joined the Washingtons for a meal know that it was time to eat? Luckily the family was in possession of a dinner bell. This 17th-century bell that (according to tradition) had belonged to George Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, was used to call people across the estate to the table. Most large plantations had a similar bell that gave a resounding clang and likely elicited not just a little Pavlovian salivating. At Mount Vernon the blaring sound of a large dinner bell meant the meal would be served in 15 minutes.

Mary Ball Washington’s dinner bell can be seen in our Donald W. Reynolds Museum at our new Hoecakes & Hospitality exhibit, which is on display through August 11, 2013.

Assistant Curator Alison Bliss contributed to this report.

Object Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights household belongings used by the Washingtons. Check out Mount Vernon’s eMuseum to explore more Washington-related objects.

Gift of Frank Waters, 1912 [W-822A-C]

Before whiskey can be imbibed, it goes through many stages. Above, it’s in the form of mash — the state in which the corn, rye and barley mixture that it’s based upon gets fermented. You can see tiny bubbles appearing in the noxiously sweet-sour smelling brine.

Mount Vernon’s distillery is beginning a new round of whiskey-making that will culminate in the eventual sale of the distilled product. Later this month we will also begin a round of scotch-making. Stay tuned for product release dates.

Anyone who comes to Mount Vernon can pass through the Mansion’s large and small dining room and out into the kitchen. Tables are set and seasonal faux food is placed about. But beginning Feb. 18, Mount Vernon’s newest temporary exhibit, Hoecakes & Hospitality: Cooking With Martha Washington, gives visitors a fuller picture as to the culinary habits of those living on the estate in the 18th century.

Visitors are greeted by scents of cinnamon, coffee, herbs and warm bread as they take in more than 125 objects associated with the Washingtons and food. Highlights include the Washingtons’ dinner bell, a heart-shaped waffle iron, a vente-sized Chinese porcelain mug, a coffee mill, a three-foot olive jar, presidential dinner invitations and other kitchen items. The exhibit touches on everyone from Martha Washington to the slaves who prepared the Washingtons’ meals. Visitors can also take away recipe cards for some of Martha Washington’s most famous dishes, such as her ragoo of asparagus and great cake.

Hoecakes and Hospitality is included as part of admission to the estate; the exhibit will be on display in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum through mid-August, 2013.

Don’t forget to tune in today at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EST for Alabama Public Television’s “Exploring Mount Vernon” broadcast, which airs on select television stations across the country and on the internet. This interactive electronic field trip targets students grades 4 through 8. Meet George Washington’s doctor, Martha Washington and two Mount Vernon slaves: Ben and Caroline. For more information, see APTV’s website or check out the preview.