Mt. Vernon--Home of President Washington

Warning: These pictures are pretty boring. I didn't copy the pictures from our community camera so I don't have many group photos.

On the coldest day of the year in DC in the last 5 years, we ventured to Mt. Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia. Mt. Vernon is the home of our nation's first president, President Washington. As you probably recall, John Adams was the first president to live in the White House. Mt. Vernon was built in 1757. While lots of the plantation home has been reconstructed (for which I am thankful because there is heat), I could really imagine President Washington sitting in his chair thinking through many of the issues of his time. I imagined him opening his home to hundreds of visitors and offering food, shelter, and enlightening conversation. He walked where I walked. He is the reason why our nation boasts most of the liberties we possess. He refused to be king, instead he chose to serve, not as nobility, but because it was right. What perfect time to visit--three days before the inauguration of our nation's 44th president. Mt. Vernon--Home of President Washington

Memorial to Washington's Slaves
Though Washington's dying will requested they would be freed, Washington owned hundreds of slaves. He appeared to teach them to read, write, and excel at a given trade.
"Item Upon the decease of my wife, it is my Will and desire, that all the slaves which I hold in my own right, shall receive their freedom. To emancipate them during her life, would, tho' earnestly wished by me, be attended with such insuperable difficulties on account of their intermixture by Marriages... And whereas among those who will receive freedom according to this devise, there may be some, who from old age or bodily infirmities, and others who on account of their infancy, that will be unable to support themselves; it is my Will and desire that all who come under the first and second description shall be comfortably clothed and fed by my heirs while they live..."
--President George Washington

Tomb of George and Martha Washington

Washington's Stables
This is for ewe, grandma! haha.

Group at the entrance of Mt. Vernon

Carolyn, me, Kristen, and Colleen

George Washinton's Teeth
Don't tell...Wendy took this picture illegally...

Our heads were too small we couldn't fit them in the holes correctly. Your guess is as good as mine as to who is who. This was in the children's section.

President Washington on his horse.

After visiting this museum and the tour of Washington's home, I can't believe I came here in 7th grade. I have no memory. It was a really great experience. I'm excited to go again when it is warm and when I don't have to try to figure out how to make my toes and fingers thaw and make sure my nose was not running since my face was numb. That was an incredibly poorly written sentence...but I need to prepare my lesson and go to bed so I can get up at 6 to go to school! Tomorrow is my first real, full day! More to come on the inauguration soon! And Philadelphia this weekend!!!