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George Washington's Mount Vernon : At Home in Revolutionary America
George Washington's Mount Vernon brings together--for the first time--the details of Washington's 45-year endeavor to build and perfect Mount Vernon. In doing so it introduces us to a Washington few of his contemporaries knew, and one little noticed by historians since.
Here we meet the planter/patriot who also genuinely loved building, a man passionately human in his desire to impress on his physical surroundings the stamp of his character and personal beliefs. As chief architect and planner of the countless changes made at Mount Vernon over the years,
Washington began by imitating accepted models of fashionable taste, but as time passed he increasingly followed his own ideas. Hence, architecturally, as the authors show, Mount Vernon blends the orthodox and the innovative in surprising ways, just as the new American nation would. Equally
interesting is the light the book sheds on the process of building at Mount Vernon, and on the people--slave and free--who did the work. Washington was a demanding master, and in their determination to preserve their own independence his workers often clashed with him. Yet, as the Dalzells argue,
that experience played a vital role in shaping his hopes for the future of American society--hope that embraced in full measure the promise of the revolution in which he had led his fellow citizens.
George Washington's Mount Vernon thus compellingly combines the two sides of Washington's life--the public and the private--and uses the combination to enrich our understanding of both. Gracefully written, with more than 80 photographs, maps, and engravings, the book tells a fascinating story with
memorable insight.
Here we meet the planter/patriot who also genuinely loved building, a man passionately human in his desire to impress on his physical surroundings the stamp of his character and personal beliefs. As chief architect and planner of the countless changes made at Mount Vernon over the years,
Washington began by imitating accepted models of fashionable taste, but as time passed he increasingly followed his own ideas. Hence, architecturally, as the authors show, Mount Vernon blends the orthodox and the innovative in surprising ways, just as the new American nation would. Equally
interesting is the light the book sheds on the process of building at Mount Vernon, and on the people--slave and free--who did the work. Washington was a demanding master, and in their determination to preserve their own independence his workers often clashed with him. Yet, as the Dalzells argue,
that experience played a vital role in shaping his hopes for the future of American society--hope that embraced in full measure the promise of the revolution in which he had led his fellow citizens.
George Washington's Mount Vernon thus compellingly combines the two sides of Washington's life--the public and the private--and uses the combination to enrich our understanding of both. Gracefully written, with more than 80 photographs, maps, and engravings, the book tells a fascinating story with
memorable insight.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 16, 2025
A well-researched and adequate account of the architecture and history of Mount Vernon, as well as that of the Washington family. However, Dalzell's approach to his scope is a tad bit muddled, focusing too much on the various people involved with the property, while missing out on that fundamental purpose and artistic sentiment that Washington experienced with the construction, enhancement, and vision as builder of a large and thriving property. Chronologically he leaves no stone unturned, focusing first on a long line of Washingtons from their disembarkation into Virginia, followed by their acquirement—through purchase or prestigious marriages—of vast land tracks, businesses, and plantations. These would eventually include what would become Washington's brother Augustine's faithful Mount Vernon, and from here on the reader is given a scattered outline and description of the grounds, exterior, interior, and imports purchased for the eventual First President's home:
Balance, then—pleasure and power, freedom and restraint—that is how Washington seems to have sent Mount Vernon as he planned his second major rebuilding of the house. If his vision was less tidy than Jefferson’s, or the vision of the men who had planned the Governor’s Palace, it was every bit as purposeful and carefully considered as theirs. Surely, too, the work begun at Mount Vernon in 1774 represented a pledge to a future beyond resistance—beyond America’s deepening conflict with Great Britain.
Perhaps too much attention is paid to the overall lives and outcomes of various hired hands, slaves, overseers, and visionaries of the estate, leading Dalzell in the second half of the book to miss the opportunity of discussing the bones and foundations of Mount Vernon. Nonetheless, his focus and concise understanding of George’s relationship with Lund Washington (his caretaker of the mansion) is fascinating. Indeed, the intimates wrote to each other quite often with grand schemes, inventories, and duties while George was away for years on end, and while at times prickly, both cousins always acknowledged each other with both genuine trust and great esteem. Another glowing issue found near the end would be Dalzell’s attachment to the Federalist Party, finding no fault with some of Washington’s policies, and decidedly calling anti-federalist sentiment and objection “wrong” for their stance and opposition—altogether unnecessary and off topic. While this proves a fine introduction to Mount Vernon, the closing pages and Appendix serve the title and scope more appropriately by providing fascinating detail into the efforts that go into the actual building of a colonial home: nails, planks, bricks, kilns, wells, shingles, glass windows, and all.
Balance, then—pleasure and power, freedom and restraint—that is how Washington seems to have sent Mount Vernon as he planned his second major rebuilding of the house. If his vision was less tidy than Jefferson’s, or the vision of the men who had planned the Governor’s Palace, it was every bit as purposeful and carefully considered as theirs. Surely, too, the work begun at Mount Vernon in 1774 represented a pledge to a future beyond resistance—beyond America’s deepening conflict with Great Britain.
Perhaps too much attention is paid to the overall lives and outcomes of various hired hands, slaves, overseers, and visionaries of the estate, leading Dalzell in the second half of the book to miss the opportunity of discussing the bones and foundations of Mount Vernon. Nonetheless, his focus and concise understanding of George’s relationship with Lund Washington (his caretaker of the mansion) is fascinating. Indeed, the intimates wrote to each other quite often with grand schemes, inventories, and duties while George was away for years on end, and while at times prickly, both cousins always acknowledged each other with both genuine trust and great esteem. Another glowing issue found near the end would be Dalzell’s attachment to the Federalist Party, finding no fault with some of Washington’s policies, and decidedly calling anti-federalist sentiment and objection “wrong” for their stance and opposition—altogether unnecessary and off topic. While this proves a fine introduction to Mount Vernon, the closing pages and Appendix serve the title and scope more appropriately by providing fascinating detail into the efforts that go into the actual building of a colonial home: nails, planks, bricks, kilns, wells, shingles, glass windows, and all.
August 16, 2011
This is really an architectural biography, that is a story of the life of Washington through his public and private spaces. Mount Vernon, the estate and house, has long been seen as an archetype of colonial America, yet this work exists to show just how unusual Washington was and how unusual his estate was.
Drawing on extensive use of primary sources, the authors have made the case that Washington's working estate was intended to be a public location for showing how a private life could be lived well, with late 18th century virtue at its heart.
The authors do not ignore the role that slave labor played at Mt. Vernon, nor Washington's changing attitudes. Mostly what they accomplish with this work is to show and flesh out in greater detail how this estate, and its evolving history, to 1799, was used to create and demonstrate what the new American Republic could be.
Washington might be surprised at the attention to detail that the preservation of Mt. Vernon has today. He would not be surprised that it is a public space, welcoming to people from across the land. He might be surprised at its attention today, froze in amber in 1799, as it remained a working estate, constantly changing, to be used and grown for economic output in his day.
This is a readable, well researched history that fleshes out Washington and the important role that Mt. Vernon played in his life.
Drawing on extensive use of primary sources, the authors have made the case that Washington's working estate was intended to be a public location for showing how a private life could be lived well, with late 18th century virtue at its heart.
The authors do not ignore the role that slave labor played at Mt. Vernon, nor Washington's changing attitudes. Mostly what they accomplish with this work is to show and flesh out in greater detail how this estate, and its evolving history, to 1799, was used to create and demonstrate what the new American Republic could be.
Washington might be surprised at the attention to detail that the preservation of Mt. Vernon has today. He would not be surprised that it is a public space, welcoming to people from across the land. He might be surprised at its attention today, froze in amber in 1799, as it remained a working estate, constantly changing, to be used and grown for economic output in his day.
This is a readable, well researched history that fleshes out Washington and the important role that Mt. Vernon played in his life.
March 24, 2017
When you read about George Washington you expect some mention of his constant attention to Mount Vernon while away from home. Almost all historical works about Washington mention he longed to return to the farm life (and typically compare him to Cincinatus for that longing). They also quote his frequent letters directing the work of carpenters, masons, and gardeners renovating the estate, even as Washington faced the harshest trials of the Revolutionary War.
This book is that story: what Washington was so concerned about back at Mount Vernon, and what the results were. And it tells that story with great detail and from the perspectives of everyone involved, from the top to the bottom of the estate's social pyramid.
One one hand, this is a somewhat dry and academic work. It would probably be an excellent reference in the endnotes of a more popular and approachable history book. But each section and chapter examines how Washington shaped Mount Vernon, and what that revealed about his character. And how they both changed over time.
The four-star rating I gave is based on that perspective: as a detailed reference on this specific aspect of Washington's life.
A few things that were different and better than I expected in this book:
- It gave a very honest assessment of the relationship between Washington and the people who worked for him. He was a tough and demanding boss, and his staff was not perfect either.
- The explanation of the lives of enslaved workers was excellent. The author shows the active role they had in their lives, within the constraints they faced.
- The explanation of his choices at the end of his life really provided great context for the provisions of his will and his vision for his financial legacy. It shared much more understanding than simple summaries such as "he freed his own slaves but not his wife's".
Something I could have lived without:
- It was actually pretty harsh on the architecture of Mount Vernon, almost to the point of snobbery. The author seemed to delight in pointing out flaws and sharing quotes of people who criticized the style or implementation in Washington's day.
This book is that story: what Washington was so concerned about back at Mount Vernon, and what the results were. And it tells that story with great detail and from the perspectives of everyone involved, from the top to the bottom of the estate's social pyramid.
One one hand, this is a somewhat dry and academic work. It would probably be an excellent reference in the endnotes of a more popular and approachable history book. But each section and chapter examines how Washington shaped Mount Vernon, and what that revealed about his character. And how they both changed over time.
The four-star rating I gave is based on that perspective: as a detailed reference on this specific aspect of Washington's life.
A few things that were different and better than I expected in this book:
- It gave a very honest assessment of the relationship between Washington and the people who worked for him. He was a tough and demanding boss, and his staff was not perfect either.
- The explanation of the lives of enslaved workers was excellent. The author shows the active role they had in their lives, within the constraints they faced.
- The explanation of his choices at the end of his life really provided great context for the provisions of his will and his vision for his financial legacy. It shared much more understanding than simple summaries such as "he freed his own slaves but not his wife's".
Something I could have lived without:
- It was actually pretty harsh on the architecture of Mount Vernon, almost to the point of snobbery. The author seemed to delight in pointing out flaws and sharing quotes of people who criticized the style or implementation in Washington's day.
March 8, 2024
After visiting Mount Vernon last year, I was delighted to find this book at a used book sale.
Not a riveting book, but a thorough detailing of the estate of Mount Vernon, how it evolved over the years, George Washington's love for it, and what happened to it after his death (according to the provisions made in his will).
Some aspects of the book would probably be more plain to someone more experienced in building than I, but I still found the book interesting, including the biographical aspects of Washington's life, particularly as they related to his involvement with Mount Vernon.
The book is heavily researched and footnoted, and I found some of the endnotes/footnotes quite interesting as well.
I did get the impression from time to time that the author was a bit biased against Washington, and that in other places he gave reluctant admiration and praise to George Washington. But that may be a faulty impression. Regardless, I came away with renewed respect for, and admiration of, the man George Washington.
If I could, I would give this slightly less than 4 stars.
Not a riveting book, but a thorough detailing of the estate of Mount Vernon, how it evolved over the years, George Washington's love for it, and what happened to it after his death (according to the provisions made in his will).
Some aspects of the book would probably be more plain to someone more experienced in building than I, but I still found the book interesting, including the biographical aspects of Washington's life, particularly as they related to his involvement with Mount Vernon.
The book is heavily researched and footnoted, and I found some of the endnotes/footnotes quite interesting as well.
I did get the impression from time to time that the author was a bit biased against Washington, and that in other places he gave reluctant admiration and praise to George Washington. But that may be a faulty impression. Regardless, I came away with renewed respect for, and admiration of, the man George Washington.
If I could, I would give this slightly less than 4 stars.
February 16, 2022
Interesting perspective on one of our nations greatest houses and our first president.
December 25, 2024
Fascinating topic, burdened with a level of detail that almost extinguished my interest in Mt. Vernon.
May 22, 2014
Thoroughly documented and highly readable volume on Mount Vernon itself--its structure, its renovations, its individual builders, its slave and indentured workforce, and its owner, George Washington. The authors [Robert E Dalzell, Jr. and Lee Baldwin Dalzell] make a compelling case justifying insights into George Washington the man, from the written records of his engagement with Mount Vernon and his management team, beginning with his first passion to renovate and enhance the mansion and property, to his final dispersement of the beloved estate in his Last Will and Testament. Details included in this treatment of Mount Vernon appreciably add to one's understanding of George Washington as portrayed in more standard, comprehensive (and excellent) biographies, such as that by Ron Chernow, which I recently read. I would imagine that the degree of detail in this work would also satisfy readers with a particular interest in and curiousity about the actual hands-on crafting of Eighteenth Century antebellum structures.
July 10, 2012
Dalzell offers a fascinating portrait of George Washington, not as general or president, but as the owner of an 18th century Virginia plantation/farm. Along the way we are treated to discussions of Mount Vernon's architecture, estate management, the personnel who reported to Washington, and more. But central to the work is the surprisingly exasperated CEO himself and how he dealt with hired help (often incompetent or unmanageable), slaves, contractors, and suppliers. It's a view of the Father of His Country we don't often see in the history books.
November 10, 2011
An engaging study of the ever-changing face of Mount Vernon was a reflection of its illustrious owner.
December 27, 2011
Interesting. I read this more to gather some geneological information, but I enjoyed it and liked the way the author related the architectural changes to the societal changes of the time.
October 31, 2012
This was a new perspective on one of the United States' greatest heroes. I suggest taking a trip to Mt Vernon along with reading this book.
July 12, 2013
I became interested in this book whole reading Chernow's GW biography. This book is a very thorough look at GW's relationship with his estate. A good companion volume.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews