Daytime Fireworks, Boat Building Demonstrations, and Military Reenactments on Independence Day
MOUNT VERNON, VA — George Washington’s Mount Vernon salutes our first commander-in-chief with a dazzling display of made-for-daytime fireworks during its annual Independence Day event! Visitors will be treated to spectacular smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired over the Potomac River at 1 p.m. Mount Vernon’s Independence Day event also includes an inspirational naturalization ceremony for 100 new citizens, military reenactments, a special wreathlaying ceremony, free birthday cake for all guests (while supplies last), and a visit from the “first” first couple, “General and Mrs. Washington.” Watch Mount Vernon’s moving naturalization ceremony at 11 a.m. live online: www.mountvernon.org/newamericans.
New This Year: Experience boat building first hand as Mount Vernon’s staff construct a batteau, a multipurpose flat-bottomed 18th century boat, using period based tools. At the Pioneer Farm site, learn about boat building techniques and handle the woodworking tools used by the craftspeople used to create the boat. The boat under construction is 21 feet long and ranges from six to eight feet in width. View master coopers creating barrels, an integral part of the fishing operation, during coopering demonstrations. Watch Mount Vernon’s talented team working on the batteau through the live boat camera: www.mountvernon.org/boatbuilding.
Limited edition George Washington’s Peach Brandy 375 mL bottles will be available for purchase beginning at 10 a.m. on July 1. Retailing for $155, the peach brandy was made at the reconstructed Distillery. This brandy was aged on site in bourbon barrels for eighteen months. Washington’s distillery ledgers indicate that small amounts of peach brandy were produced in 1798 and 1799. A portion of Washington’s peach brandy was sold at market and the remainder was sent to the Mansion for use by the Washington family. For more details, please visit www.mountvernon.org/peachbrandy.
July has always been a time of celebration at George Washington’s farm as it marks the beginning of the wheat harvest season. To celebrate Washington the farmer, field hands will kick-off the season on Independence Day with wheat-treading demonstrations at the Pioneer Farm. Costumed staff will lead Mount Vernon’s horses as they tread wheat in the 16-sided barn. Visitors can witness Washington’s innovative treading process, learning first-hand how Washington separated grain from straw.
An American Celebration at Mount Vernon takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 4. All events are included in regular Estate admission. General admission ticket prices, when purchased online, are: adults, $17; children ages 6-11, $9; and children under 5 are admitted free.
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