Feb 21, 2011 11:35 - By: Whit Honea
Mount Vernon knows how to party.
To be honest, I’m not even sure how one is supposed to celebrate Presidents’ Day. When I was a kid we would dress in powdered wigs and chop down cherry trees, but that’s a lie and I cannot tell it.
I am a big fan of no interest until 2012 on all the sale items in the mall today. So there’s that.
These patriotic souls in Mount Vernon, Virginia put a little more effort into it than most of us. Good on them.
Photo by ConceptJunkie via Flickr
Nov 26, 2008 13:14 - By: Admin
As Inauguration day approaches the Washington metro area is preparing for the estimated four million or so visitors that will be attending the event. It’s going to be quite a celebration. After the celebration you may want to end your vacation in D.C. on a historic note. How about taking the family on a short road trip to learn about the first president of the United States?
The first inauguration at the Federal Hall in New York
George Washington gave our countries first inaugural address on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York on April 30, 1789. After serving two terms as president of the United States he returned to his home in Mount Vernon where he lived the final two years of his life. Mount Vernon is probably the most famous home of George Washington, but if you have ever wondered about the other places George Washington called home, here are two often overlooked nearby locations.
A quiet spot at Popes Creek Plantation
George Washington was born at Popes Creek Plantation in Westmoreland County Virginia. I’ve visited this location on several occasions and it’s a tranquil, slow moving kind of place. Of all the historic locations I’ve visited, this one feels the most authentic. It’s not as grand as Monticello and it’s not as forced as Colonial Williamsburg but it has charm. You can walk in the quiet along the river or through trails and imagine what was when our country was just beginning. The future paleontologist in the family will enjoy searching for fossilized sharks’ teeth in the sandy river shore. Future graffiti artists can use a stick to carve designs into the clay cliffs. Just be careful of the wildlife when you go. The squirrels at the picnic area will shamelessly steal your Cheetos and the turkeys are a little mean.
Ferry Farm, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Known as George Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm isn’t a re-created historical site as much as an active learning location. They have a beautiful colonial style garden and some trails along the Rappahanock River but that’s not why we visit. We go for the fun, well thought out summer educational programs. In addition to the civil war workshops and gardening programs they can “Dig George” and become junior archaeologists or learn about the “First Virginians”, the Powhatan Indians. They have also created a touch box program that enables the blind and visually impaired to enjoy history with touchable artifacts, Braille maps and text, and large print brochures.
Ferry Farm is located just outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia about 50 minutes from Mount Vernon. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. George Washington’s birthplace is an easy 60 minute drive from Ferry Farm. Admission is $4 for adults and no fee for children. They’re both worth a visit.
Photo Credits : Federal Hall from the public domain. Popes Creek Plantation by Ken Lund
