Mount Vernon

Pack 1162 visited Mount Vernon yesterday. It was a beautiful day (50+ degrees!). Mount Vernon is a little over an hour away from Purcellville.









We went to the Visitor's Center first, and saw a model of the mansion. It was amazing, with working doorknobs, windows that opened, etc. The walls went up and down to show different views of the house. Then we saw a really violent movie that depicted George Washington's early military career working for the British Army during the French-Indian War. I was disheartened that Max thought it wasn't violent at all. Then we had a great tour of the mansion. The color scheme inside was similar to the Old Executive Office Building, which is kept true to the original design. I worked in the OEOB in my previous career. I don't think they still call it the OEOB anymore, though. There was fake food on all the dining room tables. It was gross. There are 9 guest bedrooms and one master bedroom. Two dining rooms. The "kitchen" in is a separate building. There were chamber pots and fire places in most of the rooms and a "Necessary" outside. George Washington was first and foremost a farmer and loves animals. He had over 40 dogs and named them all, one was Sweetlips. I wonder how he knew that? All of his mules were descendants on a donkey he got from a Spanish royalty. The mansion sits on the Potomac and has beautiful views from what Washington called "The Piazza", or (huge) back porch. He read many books on Italian architecture, which is where he got that term.

Our scouts, with another pack, participated in a wreath laying ceremony at Washington's Tomb (second photo). Martha is on the left side, George is on the right, and other relatives are interred behind them. The ceremony consists of saying the Pledge of Allegiance followed by this prayer for our country written by George Washington:

I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in His holy protection, that He would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to the Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at Large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do justice, to love mercy, and demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble, imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.

--Amen

After this, we went to the education center where they have numerous displays about all aspects of Washington's life. There was another movie that showcased Washington's rold in the War for Indepedence, his presidency, and brief retirement before his death. The theater was equipped for special effects; the seats shook and the special lights flickered during battle scenes. It even "snowed" (some sort of bubble solution) during the snowy scenes.

This museum had a whole exhibit on Washington's teeth. Despite excellent oral care, he still lost all of his teeth between his middle 20's and 60's. A set of his dentures, made of human and animal teeth, were on display. According to the docents, Washington never had dentures made of wood.

We had lunch and visited the gift store after that. We were sure to get a patch and a pin (only for those who participate in a wreath-laying ceremony) for Max's patch vest.

We started to leave, then decided to go watch the second movie one more time. Before doing that, we went to the other side of the education center and saw that we missed the museum portion, where the original bust of Washington made my the French artist Houdon is located.

There was a short film from the viewpoint of Washington's step-granddaughter about the experiences of having the Frenchman and his apprentices on their farm, including making a life-mask of Washington's face.
There was so much more that we missed, and hopefully we will go back in the spring with Larry. There are many things that open for tours in April, including sight-seeing cruises from Washington's Wharf.