The single week I spent on George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia was one of the highlights of a lifetime. There is something personal about sitting on Washington's back porch to watch the sunrise, something serene about sitting in the same place one afternoon and witnessing our national bird floating on the air currents over the Potomac River, and something touching about standing in the front drive and capturing 360-degrees of video footage with no other soul, vehicle, or equipment in the picture. This, coupled with the 35 hours of professional development from 25 scholars, viewing primary documents written in Hamilton's or Washington's hand, personal tours, and unprecedented access to the property, makes every participant feel special.
Here is a list I created to document most of my experience at Mount Vernon during the first week of August:
- Took flight in lightning storm from Oklahoma City
- Spent an hour delayed on the tarmac in Dallas
- Viewed Mount Vernon, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol Building from the air
- Stepped on Virginia for the first time
- Drove past Christ's Church where the Washingtons and Robert E. Lee had pews (during respective centuries)
- Watched a documentary (with a British couple) about Washington and the French and Indian War
- Ate pan-seared rockfish at River Bend Bistro in Alexandria
- Slept in the Women's Quarters on George Washington's estate
- Received a bag of swag
- Met people from at least 16 states and the District of Columbia
- Toured the mansion after hours
- Touched Washington's stair rail
- Touched the 1770s floor support beams
- Saw the locations and inspirations for certain scenes of National Treasure 2
- Enjoyed hors d'oeuvres on the piazza
- Watched a bald eagle soaring over the Potomac
- Met a guy who was on a curling team
- Won second place in Pub Trivia - and a prize
- Ate salmon and brussels sprouts at the Mount Vernon Inn
- Watched fireflies at Washington's original tomb
- Visited unmarked slave graves at night
- Looked at Civil War engravings on Washington's grave, including Joshua Chamberlain's name
- Watched the sunrise over the Potomac
- Witnessed a debate between a Patriot and a Loyalist
- Got up close with letters written by Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Martha Washington, and more
- Entered the vault to see Washington's personal library
- Watched a performance of Colonial music on authentically-reproduced instruments
- Ate dinner with a musician scholar
- Ate snapper
- Received a CD of music to commemorate George Washington
- Walked to the West Gate after dark
- Saw part of the behind-the-scenes area
- Found trees with Civil War markings
- Photographed a tree from 1706
- Stood inside a box hedge given to GW by Lighthorse Harry Lee
- Saw where George Washington pooped
- Took a 360-degree video from the Bowling Green (front lawn) with no person or vehicle in the shot
- Met George Washington's doctor
- Learned the distinct steps to amputating a limb
- Cut my sirloin steak with a butter knife
- Learned history and fashion trends from Washington's secretary, Tobias Lear
- Spent some time with the blacksmith
- Became Washington twice
- Learned about African-Americans in the Revolutionary period
- Shopped for stuff
- Got a voucher for the food court
- Discovered the Newburgh letter
- Was impressed by George's and Martha's relationship
- Ate beef medallions with Hollandaise
- Connected with teachers and historians from across the nation
- Celebrated lives at the slave memorial
- Privately prayed for our nation at the tomb of our first president
- Sang the national anthem at the tomb
- Received 35 hours of professional development from 25 scholars
- Sprinted around the estate for one last time
- Shuttled past Ronald Reagan's statue
- Missed two flights
- Spent the night outside the airport
- Stayed awake for more than 24 hours
- Know more than ever before about George Washington from before the French and Indian War to 1799
