Mount Vernon, the cherished home of George and Martha Washington and one of Virginia's most popular historic attractions, receives an average of about one million visitors annually. Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house, the gardens and more than a dozen outbuildings. Mount Vernon is located at the southern end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, 16 miles south of Washington, D.C. and 8 miles south of Old Town Alexandria.
2012 Presidents' Day Celebrations
Special events in honor of George Washington's 280th birthday will take place at Mount Vernon as follows:
- New Exhibition Opening - Hoecakes & Hospitality: Cooking with Martha Washington
February 18, 2012
Celebrating food at Mount Vernon and Martha Washington's role as early America's premier hostess, this new exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes view of the Washingtons' kitchen, including field to table displays, treasured family recipes and cookbooks, cooking pots, fine tableware and more, all enhanced with the scents of cinnamon, coffee, fresh herbs and warm bread. This temporary exhibit opens at 9 a.m.
- Award-Winning Chefs Hoecake Cook-Off
February 18, 2012
From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., four award-winning Washington, D.C. area chefs will create their own interpretations of hoecakes, George Washington's favorite breakfast, cooked over an open fire and present their dishes to General Washington at 12 p.m.
- Breakfast with George Washington
February 18 - 19, 2012
From 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., enjoy a sampler of George Washington's favorite breakfast, hoecakes swimming in butter and honey, cooked over an open fire while supplies last.
- George Washington’s Surprise Birthday Party
February 18 - 20, 2012
Shhh...At 1:30 p.m., recalling a birthday serenade for Washington at Valley Forge in 1778, visitors may join 18th century re-enactors in a surprise party for General Washington, complete with birthday cheers, a serenade and more.
- National Observance of George Washington’s Birthday
February 20, 2012
Admission to Mount Vernon is free in celebration of George Washington's birthday observance. Enjoy special interpretations and programs throughout the day, including a moving wreath laying ceremony at Washington's tomb, patriotic music and military drilling by Revolutionary War re-enactors and a surprise birthday party for George Washington. Mount Vernon Estate will open to visitors at 8 a.m.
- Chef Walter Staib Book Signing
Award-winning Chef Walter Staib of Philadelphia's City Tavern and Emmy award-winning host of PBS's A Taste of History will sign books and DVDs in The Shops at Mount Vernon throughout the weekend and Monday holiday.
- George Washington's Real Birthday
February 22nd
If your name is George or your birthday is February 22, present your identification and enjoy a day at Mount Vernon for free.
Additional Information
