A Visit to Mount Vernon

In April I had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. with my mom, my mother-in-law, and my two daughters. We saw amazing sights, listened to countless tour guides, and overloaded our senses with museums. But by far, the two most poignant place we visited were Ford's Theater, where Lincoln was assassinated, and Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.

My daughter, me, my other daughter, my mom, and my
mother-in-law in Union Station.

As a history lover and a writer, I get giddy when I stand in the place where history happened. To see, smell, hear, touch, and sometimes taste my surroundings allows the stories I read and write to come alive. I didn't simply read about Lincoln's assassination, I stood where he stood. I sat where he sat. I looked at what he saw in his final moments. There's really nothing quite like it.

We went to Mount Vernon in a similar fashion as Washington traveled there many times: by river. Though, I'm sure our boat was much more comfortable than his. :) We took the boat down the beautiful Potomac to the Washington's home. It was a lovely trip with various points of interest brought to our attention along the way by the captain.

Upon seeing Mount Vernon, I must confess I was impressed. It wasn't quite as palatial as I had imagined (I had pictured Twelve Oaks from Gone With the Wind), but it was enormous by their standards out in the wilds of Virginia. There were so many people visiting, they literally herded us through in a single line and we only heard snippets of what the tour guides were telling us as they were stationed in each room. There was also no photography allowed inside.

Having read Washington's Lady, by Nancy Moser, I had certain images in mind, but my whole perspective changed upon walking through the house. I can't wait to reread the story and put all the characters in their proper setting. I know it will be a richer experience for me.

It was wonderful to walk the grounds and see the small community that made up Mount Vernon. The slave quarters, the blacksmith, the stables, the smoke houses, etc. The gardens were lovely and one of my favorite pictures from the trip was taken there.

My favorite. :)

The most important thing I walked away with after visiting Mount Vernon was a sense of really knowing George Washington. Not as the war hero or immortalized father of our nation...but as a man who loved his home, his family, and his country. He became real to me.

Your Turn: Have you been to Mount Vernon or Ford's Theater? What historic location has had the most impact on you?

Gabrielle Meyer:
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