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George Washington's Mount Vernon: Official Guidebook
Excerpt from the back "includes more than 17- full-color photographs, is the only official guidebook to the multi-faceted estate of George Washington. It will enliven and expand the experience of visiting Washington's home and serve as a perfect remembrance of your tour. A new introductory section is designed to help you organize your visit and take full advantage of your valuable time."
143 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 5, 2023
I read Ron Chernow's 'Washington: A Life' in 2022. Once again, as with Meacham's book on Jefferson I wanted to see visually what Mount Vernon looked like. Luckily the Mount Vernon Ladies Association has put together a wonderful guidebook with photos, floorplans, and a short history of Mount Vernon. Giving it only four stars might be a little harsh, but after reading the National Geographic produced book on Monticello, this does come up a little short.
As with Monticello, Mount Vernon is not a federal property. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association purchased the property from John Augustine Washington Jr.--a great-grandnephew of George Washington in 1858. Since then the association has depended on donations and admission fees to restore and manage the property. Having just finished reading a similar book on Jefferson's Monticello it is interesting comparing Jefferson's plantation with Washington's. Many similarities as well as differences. Washington seems to have the advantage of living off the Potomac River and creating his own fishing enterprise. Jefferson had so many interests possibly at times they diverted his focus from running a successful farming business. Definitely another place to add on my bucket list of places to visit. Fortunately Mount Vernon is only a two hour drive from Monticello. A must read for those reading about George Washington or Mount Vernon.
As with Monticello, Mount Vernon is not a federal property. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association purchased the property from John Augustine Washington Jr.--a great-grandnephew of George Washington in 1858. Since then the association has depended on donations and admission fees to restore and manage the property. Having just finished reading a similar book on Jefferson's Monticello it is interesting comparing Jefferson's plantation with Washington's. Many similarities as well as differences. Washington seems to have the advantage of living off the Potomac River and creating his own fishing enterprise. Jefferson had so many interests possibly at times they diverted his focus from running a successful farming business. Definitely another place to add on my bucket list of places to visit. Fortunately Mount Vernon is only a two hour drive from Monticello. A must read for those reading about George Washington or Mount Vernon.
September 28, 2020
Get with the program!
As they say, you can't tell the players without a program! This also applies to visiting Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, our greatest of presidents. This book is the second edition of Mount Vernon's official guidebook, with 208 pages of insights and illustrations about Mount Vernon (versus 144 pages of the first edition), to include the latest improvements and information.
In the book, you'll find the following major sections: 1. Plan your Visit. 2. Exploring Mount Vernon: a. For Orientation Center. b. Mansion. c. South Lane Outbuildings. d. North lane Outbuildings. e. Mansion Grounds. f. Gardens. g. Tomb. h. Slave Burial Ground and Memorials. i. Pioneer Farm. j. The Wharf and Potomac River. k. Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. l. George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill. m. Meet George Washington. n. Meet Martha Washington. o. A Brief Washington-Custis Genealogy. p. Slavery at Mount Vernon. q. The Rescue and Restoration of Mount Vernon.
An outstanding overview, the book also contains, to my personal delight, a page (p. 50) devoted to a national treasure, Mount Vernon's Bastille Key, Lafayette's gift in tribute to Washington, "a token of victory gained by Liberty over Despotism." I purchased my copy of the book at the Shops at Mount Vernon, a great store, where a copy of one of my own books is sold.
As they say, you can't tell the players without a program! This also applies to visiting Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, our greatest of presidents. This book is the second edition of Mount Vernon's official guidebook, with 208 pages of insights and illustrations about Mount Vernon (versus 144 pages of the first edition), to include the latest improvements and information.
In the book, you'll find the following major sections: 1. Plan your Visit. 2. Exploring Mount Vernon: a. For Orientation Center. b. Mansion. c. South Lane Outbuildings. d. North lane Outbuildings. e. Mansion Grounds. f. Gardens. g. Tomb. h. Slave Burial Ground and Memorials. i. Pioneer Farm. j. The Wharf and Potomac River. k. Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. l. George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill. m. Meet George Washington. n. Meet Martha Washington. o. A Brief Washington-Custis Genealogy. p. Slavery at Mount Vernon. q. The Rescue and Restoration of Mount Vernon.
An outstanding overview, the book also contains, to my personal delight, a page (p. 50) devoted to a national treasure, Mount Vernon's Bastille Key, Lafayette's gift in tribute to Washington, "a token of victory gained by Liberty over Despotism." I purchased my copy of the book at the Shops at Mount Vernon, a great store, where a copy of one of my own books is sold.
December 31, 2010
This is a wonderful way to reflect on Mt. Vernon after the tour. Though the colors in some of the photos are not true to the walls, they recreate the atmosphere of the Washington's mansion.
When my daughter and I stopped for a visit on December 26, the docents fairly rushed us through the rooms. We felt like intruders, so this affordable little book has done a lot to fill in the gaps of our information and experience.
When my daughter and I stopped for a visit on December 26, the docents fairly rushed us through the rooms. We felt like intruders, so this affordable little book has done a lot to fill in the gaps of our information and experience.
June 25, 2013
George Washington's Mount Vernon is technically the first White House! How can you not visit this place...and how can you not get this official guidebook!
Extraordinary view!!! Very peaceful especially if you are actually walking the grounds!
Extraordinary view!!! Very peaceful especially if you are actually walking the grounds!
May 14, 2022
Entertaining guidebook, that is more of an overview, rather than an in-depth, guide. Having said that, I learned quite a bit about Mount Vernon via the book, than in my three previous visits! The photos were a definite plus, and even includes a rare photo of an original Mount Vernon barn, designed by George Washington, that no longer exists. The book also details the outlying gristmill and farm, & how they came to be an integral part of the estate. The book also touches upon Mount Vernon daily life as led by the family, including a bit of information on what it was like to be a slave at Mount Vernon. However, I would have liked a bit more detail on the estate post Washington's death, and how it is being maintained today. All in all, I rated it five stars, because of the information gleaned.
April 6, 2020
Since I wasn't able to take pictures of this interesting mansion, I bought the book. Very interesting, and I found the interior design elements of Mount Vernon fascinating. Interesting stories about the Washingtons themselves too.
October 3, 2020
Rich with history of the Washington’s and the estate George built, great details, historic and color photograph.
February 25, 2024
Stopped at Mt. Vernon with my son on the way down to Florida for the Daytona 500. We only saw Washington's home as we had only and hour to spend there, so this book, which was less than $10, served to fill the gaps. There's some great text here and a lot of full color photos, though almost nothing on the Cupola, which is a bit shocking. I'd have liked to have seen a photo from the Potomac, too, to see the view that Washington's visitors experienced when arriving by sea.
It really is a beautiful home of its time and the grounds are immaculate. So glad the Ladies Association saved this home!
It really is a beautiful home of its time and the grounds are immaculate. So glad the Ladies Association saved this home!
January 2, 2018
3.75 / 5.0
Quick comprehensive overview of buildings and history of Mt. Vernon. Not a lot of detail, but some nice explanatory pictures. Good graphics and nice quality photography. Works well as a concise Tour Guide, but begs for further study.
Quick comprehensive overview of buildings and history of Mt. Vernon. Not a lot of detail, but some nice explanatory pictures. Good graphics and nice quality photography. Works well as a concise Tour Guide, but begs for further study.
August 20, 2016
I bought this book during a trip to Mount Vernon on Vacation. It was really nice reading it on the way home. It reminded me of my wonderful trip and it was fun to share bits of trivia on the place that we hadn't discovered when we were there.
November 17, 2011
A nice follow-up to a visit to Mt. Vernon. Interesting historical reading.
December 30, 2013
This is a great complement to a visit to Mount Vernon.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews