250-Year-Old Cherries Found at George Washington's Plantation

In the cellars of Mount Vernon, President George Washington's Virginia plantation, archaeologists uncovered glass bottles filled with cherries and fruits. Archaeologists believe the bottles were placed in storage pits in a cellar, which was then paved over with a brick floor. Mount Vernon was home to hundreds of enslaved people. It was likely they were the ones who picked and then preserved the fruit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to conduct DNA testing on the 250-year-old fruit.

[bladeofbattousai]

If they get any cherry trees from them, they should plant one at the White House.

[jdhstudiosjdhstudios]

They should try to grow some of those cherries; definitely not impossible considering that judean date palms were resurrected from rehydrating their seeds. Would be cool to bring back his cherry fields with his original cherry seeds.

[youngmasterzhi]

Now if only we can revive Thomas Jefferson’s most prized apple orchards!

[MustBMusic]

Nobody even digs down on purpose it’s always a construction related accidental discovery

[grandmagrace]

Someone already said grow some!!! I agree 100%!- if they did it with a 2000 yr old date palm tree- They can do with George Washington's cherry trees right!

[massiahgrom]

Fasanating. Best argument for throwing away plastic and using glass, ever .

[BenAck]

Just keep them away from hangry kindergarteners.

[Mandy-ijss]

I need the freaking preservation technique.

[erikgrimaldo]

Wow a 250 year old cherries look like the first president love his fruit

[gamecollector]

Im gonna be honest here, I’m pretty sure those preserved fruit recipes came straight from England, and were probably made from recipes in Martha Washington’s book of cookery which dates back to the 1600’s and contains recipes like “To preserve cherries” and “To preserve Gooseberries”, that both mention putting them in a glass, or earthen pot.

[gabbycarter]

Of course the slaves picked and preserved the fruit. Did they really think that George, Martha and their family did it?

[whathandleUtalkabt]

Grapes would have an awesome find for 250 year old wine. Hope they keep and heirloom re grow them. To see how different they tasted back then.

[gabrielbennett]

Probably bottles of Cherry Bounce, actually. It was George Washington's favorite drink. Martha Washington had her own recipe that involved steeping Morello cherries in a bottle or jar of brandy or whiskey with added sugar and spices like cinnamon and cloves.

[loszhor]

So that clear bottle is just for show?

[bladeofbattousai]

I want to know how the cherries were preserved so long. The low oxygen environment probably helped. But how were the cherries prepared before they were bottled? Were they bottled with alcohol to preserve them?

[PamelaPhillips-edsl]

Grumpy Grandpa here. Remind me not to let you know where I'm buried. I don't need you digging me up every 200 years. My little grave Roberts. 😂😂😂👍

[erykahhoney]

Wow would love to learn their preservation methods.

[IndigenousUndergroundPrimate]

Not too many people know that he chopped down his Father`s Cherry tree & got his teeth knocked out by his Dad. For the rest of his life, he wore wooden teeth he whittled himself. True Fact.

[Some_of_this_n_some_of_that]

What was the process they used to preserve the fruit. It clearly works and I want to know please

[tbb]

Oh, they aren't going to mention the $500k in gold and diamonds also buried that they pocketed right away?