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Mt. Vernon was built in the 1730's by George Washington's father, Augustine Washington. The house overlooks the Potomac River and 1,200 acres of land, but when George moved in he expanded it to about 8,000 acres. The house and the fifteen other buildings on the property covered about 500 acres of land. The house also has 20 rooms and it's 2 and a 1/2 stories. The house was a plantation when it was built, but all the other farms are gone now. |
| When George inherited Mt. Vernon, it was a run down building. Within time George and Martha fixed it up, by painting, new furniture, and new floors. He inherited Mt. Vernon in 1761, from his uncle Lawrence Washington. At one time there were 122 slaves working at the plantation, but after the Revolutionary war all of the 122 slaves were freed. |
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When Mt. Vernon was built it was called Little Hunting Creek Plantation. Lawrence Washington changed it to Mt. Vernon in honor for his navy commander. After the war George built a two story porch along the Potomac River. Today you can walk in the house and see the wonderful view of the Potomac River. You can also see Washington's death bed. |
| George Washington died of the common cold. His throat clogged up and eventually suffocated him to death. He died after his second term of presidency. He was found dead in his bedroom in 1799. George's wife, Martha, died on May 22, 1802. George and Martha were both buried at Mt. Vernon. |
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The Presidents Project Washington's Farewell Address http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/washing.htm speech archive |
We have scrambled a picture of George Washington. Click on the word, picture then print, cut out the pieces and put it together. HAVE FUN! |
