Fall is one of the busiest times at George Washington’s Mount Vernon with a multitude of events and activities scheduled in the coming weeks. Key fall events include the always popular Fall Wine Festival (tickets are almost sold out, so move fast!), Archeology Days, a book event with General David Petraeus, a Slave Memorial Commemoration, the Plant and Garden Sale, Trick-or-Treating, and much, much more.
The full roster of events and activities in October are listed below in chronological order. Images related to upcoming events at Mount Vernon are available here and should be attributed to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
- Taste Virginia’s best wines at the Fall Wine Festival on October 6-8 on the banks of the Potomac River. Bring a blanket and relax on the East Lawn while enjoying unlimited samples from the state’s finest wineries. Attendees can tour the Mansion, visit The Shops at Mount Vernon, and purchase food. VIP tables are also available. Tickets are almost sold out, so reserve soon. Learn more.
- See rare artifacts and learn about archeology topics in celebration of Virginia Archaeology Month. Mount Vernon archaeologists will be on hand to discuss the unique archeology of the property and answer questions on multiple selected dates throughout October. Learn more.
- Attend the Enslaved People Memorial Commemoration on October 7. Mount Vernon joins Black Women United for Action in remembering the enslaved people who lived and worked at Mount Vernon with a program and wreath-laying ceremony. Learn more.
- Shop for seasonal color and heirloom plants along with native perennials, trees, and shrubs during the Fall Plant and Garden Sale on October 7. The exclusive General's Choice line features plants propagated from seeds or cuttings collected from plants growing on George Washington's estate. Learn more.
- Learn more about the Washington Presidential Library’s important map collection and the American Revolutionary Geographies Online (ARGO) web portal on October 10. Join Dr. Alexandra Montgomery to hear about the historic Fry-Jefferson Map of Virginia, once part of George Washington’s personal map collection. Learn more.
- Meet the 14th Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, at the annual George Washington Leadership Lecture that will explore the Father of our Country's lifelong accomplishments on October 12. This year's 10th-anniversary event will feature a conversation with Dr. Hayden, followed by a reception with complimentary beer, wine, and hors-d'œuvres. Learn more.
- Hear from General David Petraeus and acclaimed British biographer Andrew Roberts, authors of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine on October 20. This acclaimed historian and a battlefield commander have collaborated on a landmark examination of war, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Attendees can submit questions and get books signed. Learn more.
- Celebrate autumn with 18th-century activities at the Fall Harvest Festival on October 21-22. Attendees can explore the expansive farm, meet General Washington, view demonstrations of 18th-century cooking, candle-making, spinning, and textiles, play 18th-century games, navigate a straw bale maze, and more. Learn more.
- Acclaimed artists John and Cheryl Blenko will sign their hand-blown glass pieces at The Shops at Mount Vernon on October 21. Established in 1893, Blenko Glass Company features imaginative designs that have made the company renowned for the time-honored craft of hand-blown glass. Learn more.
- Meet award-winning historian Cassandra A. Good, author of First Family: George Washington's Heirs and the Making of America on October 26. Good shows how George and Martha Washington’s grandchildren played a role in American society and politics. Attendees can submit questions and get books signed. Learn more.
- Trick-or-Treat at Mount Vernon on October 28th. It is more than just candy! There’s a costume parade on the historic grounds, 18th-century entertainment, magic, demonstrations, a puppet show, live music, and more. Tickets for this popular event on sale now. Learn more.
- Watch the 18th-century baking process with Resident Baker Justin Cherry of Half Crown Bakehouse on selected dates in October. Each loaf is baked in a reproduction clay oven and made of grains authentic to the period that, when possible, were ground at George Washington's Gristmill. Demonstrations are scheduled on select dates, with baked goods available for purchase until sold out. Learn more.
- George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill is open for the season thru October. This fully functioning reconstruction of George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill is located 2.7 miles from the estate’s main entrance. Tours are offered on weekends through October and are included with a Mount Vernon grounds pass. Learn more.
Read the complete listing of Mount Vernon events here. Most Mount Vernon events are free or discounted for members. Information about Mount Vernon membership is available here.
