George Washington Birthnight Supper and Ball
Hosted by the Neighborhood Friends
Save the date for the 78th annual Birthnight Supper & Ball. Gala supporters will enjoy a cocktail reception, a three-course seated dinner, a live auction, entertainment, and dancing. A highlight of the celebration includes a birthday toast delivered to General Washington.
Proceeds from this event will support the restoration and preservation of George Washington's beloved home, Mount Vernon. As an IRS 50l(c)(3) tax-exempt entity (#54-0564701), Mount Vernon is not a government-funded historic site, so we truly depend upon the generosity of patriotic individuals and institutions to reach our preservation and education goals.
Sponsorship Opportunities
General Washington - $25,000
Two tables at the Ball (24 guests)
Platinum - $10,000
One table at the Ball (12 guests)
Gold - $7,500
Reserved seats for 10 guests
Silver - $5,000
Reserved seats for 6 guests
Bronze - $3,000
Reserved seats for 4 guests
Double Patron - $1,500
Reserved seats for 2 guests
Patron - $750
1 Ticket to the Ball
Birthnight Supper & Ball
Photos by Dan Chung
Mansion Restoration
Proceeds from this year’s Ball will support the revitalization of George Washington’s Mansion. In 2023, Mount Vernon launched a landmark, multi-faceted preservation project to safeguard the Mansion’s original building fabric and ensure its structural integrity for generations to come. This revolutionary project includes:
- Designing and installing a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) for the Mansion to better control the environment of the historic rooms and cellar.
- Improving drainage in and around the Mansion’s historic cellar with new underfloor drains.
- Repairing sections of the Mansion’s framing and masonry to further strengthen the foundation.
Neighborhood Friends
As stewards of what was once part of Washington’s home, Mount Vernon’s Neighborhood Friends take pride in being active participants in Mount Vernon’s future. Led by a steering committee of local residents, the Neighborhood Friends select a special project each year at Mount Vernon that they fund with membership dues and other fundraising activities. Previous projects include: saving the view-shed by purchasing land across the river from Mount Vernon, replacing and restoring the Mansion’s roof, basement, and windows, and extensive work on the greenhouse slave quarters. This year, the Neighborhood Friends are supporting the restoration of the exterior of the mansion.
A Long-Standing Tradition
The first annual Birthnight Ball was held in 1947 and was hosted by the Mount Vernon Citizens’ Association, a neighborhood organization that sponsored colonial fairs and other fundraisers. The original concept was a costume ball and dinner with period dancing and skits meant to represent Washington’s last birthday celebration in 1799 when his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, married Nelly Parke Custis. The balls were held at several locations including Collingwood, Woodlawn Country Club, and Belle Haven Country Club until it finally came to the Mount Vernon Inn in 1974. Proceeds from the dinner were given to support Mount Vernon.
The Mount Vernon Citizens’ Association continued the tradition until 1995 when the Neighborhood Friends took over planning and organization of the ball. It has become one of Mount Vernon’s most anticipated yearly events and our longest running fundraiser.
Mount Vernon Thanks Our Event Sponsors
Platinum
Dick and Janice Crosby
Richard and Julie Crosby
Gold
Cricket Bauer and Tim Messman
Stephen Fahy and Marjorie Roddy
The Fijalka Living Trust
Rachael Glaws and Joshua Pinedo
Joseph and Ann Somerset
Silver
John Kerby and Theresa Thompson
Bronze
The Mr. and Mrs. James Lindsey
Thomas and Sonya Ricketts
Double Patron
Michael and Megan Ben’Ary
Gina and Michael Giordano
Brig Gen and Mrs. Lynn C. Hooper, (Ret)
Kathleen L. Lehner
Chris and Elizabeth Massey
Mr. and Mrs. John McNally
Lt Col Amy and Kenneth Mitchell
Michael and Magda Patrick
Matthew and Angela Vahue
George and Patti White
Robert Wright and Charlotte Sallfors