Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon was George and Martha Washington’s plantation home for over forty years. Situated along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, Mount Vernon is just 16 miles south of Washington, D.C.  George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of American forces in the Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States, called Mount Vernon home.

Today, guests to Mount Vernon can visit the Mansion, more than a dozen original structures, Washington’s Tomb, and nearly 50 acres of his extensive plantation.  The estate also includes a working blacksmith shop and the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a 4-acre demonstration farm with a reconstructed slave cabin and 16-sided treading barn.

The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center is home to 25 theaters and galleries, which tell the detailed story of George Washington’s life. Nearby, George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill have been reconstructed and are open seasonally. Both fully functioning, Washington’s fascinating mill and distillery tell their story of Washington as a master entrepreneur. Mount Vernon is an American landmark and a lasting reminder of the life and legacy of the Father of Our Country.

When George Washington wasn’t busy governing a fledgling nation, he enjoyed spending time at Mount Vernon. We toured the “Jewel of the Potomac” and joined Chef Staib in Washington’s very own kitchen as he prepared some of the first President’s favorite dishes, such as Roasted Beef Marrow, Baked Stuffed Sturgeon, Roasted Root Vegetables and Citrus Vinaigrette.

In the second episode from Mount Vernon, we met “Martha Washington,” (through a reenactor) who brought her years with George to life. Always a gracious hostess, Martha invited Chef Walter to tea. We also got to see the Washingtons’ personal china and silverware. In the kitchen, Chef Walter’s menu included Pickled Herring Bonne Femme, Roasted Stuffed Grouse, Braised Sunchokes and Sweet Potato Biscuits. We also learned that George Washington was “the father of the American Mule.”

Watch Chef Staib prepare a Baked, Stuffed Sturgeon fresh from the Potomac!