Secrets of Mount Vernon: The Hidden History of George Washington’s Home

In this episode of View Master Travels, I take you along on a journey to Mount Vernon, Virginia, inspired by vintage View Master reel number 76. Mount Vernon was once the family home of George Washington, and I’m excited to explore both the personal side of America’s first president and the innovative achievements that made him a remarkable figure. As I follow the reel, I dive into the rich history of the estate, tracing its origins back to 1674 and learning how it eventually came into George Washington’s hands.

As I tour the grounds, I showcase the iconic sights from the View Master reel, like the unchanged Bowling Green entrance and the grand mansion itself, which Washington expanded during crucial moments in American history. What fascinates me most is Washington’s role as an innovative farmer. I discovered that after moving away from tobacco, he experimented with over 60 different crops, eventually making wheat his cash crop. His forward-thinking approach didn’t stop there—Washington was also a pioneer in farming technology, even designing a unique 16-sided treading barn that still stands as a testament to his ingenuity.

Inside the mansion, I explore the preserved rooms, like Washington’s private study and the West Parlor, which used to be called the blue parlor. Through modern scientific analysis, historians discovered that this room wasn’t originally blue, but white, reflecting the meticulous care that has gone into preserving Mount Vernon. This restoration work is the result of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, a group founded by Ann Pamela Cunningham in the 1850s. Their dedication saved the estate from ruin, and it’s still under their care today, allowing us to experience the life and times of George Washington firsthand.

As I reflect on my visit, I realize how much there is to absorb about Mount Vernon and how museums like this face the challenge of presenting such a vast history to visitors. Although I didn’t grasp all the details during my tour, the experience inspired me to dig deeper into the estate’s history later on. In the end, that’s what a great museum does—it inspires curiosity and encourages us to explore the past further. Mount Vernon truly is a place of inspiration, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share it with you.

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[widesky]

Really enjoy your channel. You have such a nice calming voice and speak so well. Thank you for the high quality videos. Thanks for helping me learn and relax and of course, taking me back to my awesome viewmaster memories of my childhood ❤

[mikewatson]

What a great video. Just think about how much more you could notice if you knew the details before the tour. This is a place that I have wanted to visit for a long time. I will have to make sure that I do on my next trip to Virginia.

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Thanks for the video

[YewBanks]

I love this idea for exploring a new place. Seeing the old photos from the view master compared to what it is like now is such a cool touch. Great job with the detailed explaining of history and fantastic job on the edit of the video. The motion graphics of the Family tree and the map of the five farms was well executed! Keep up the great work!

[michaelpowers]

Surely VM reel number 76, has to be one of the most ubiquitous of reels, showing up in so many lots and bringing little attention to itself. For those who have the privilege of viewing your comparison of past to present, and your detailed historical research (the portion where a group of women save this historical gem from the ignominy of becoming just another hotel, is killer) is amazing. As always, this historian is thankful for your great skill in using a VM reel as an impetus to learning.

[DroppingJuniper]

I’m not sure why this ended up in my recommended, but I enjoyed the video!

[philmarsh]

You made a video of a fairly bland house fascinating - interesting research once again. Thanks Dave.

[stifledvoice]

Never heard of the "War of Jenkin's Ear" (1:40)... so I had to stop the video and spend 15 minutes looking into that before resuming your meticulously detailed and quite engaging video essay.