George Washington
First President
2 terms
1732-1799
Federalist or None
Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
Helped to write the United States Constitution.
Vice President was John Adams
Birthplace: Pope's Creek, VA
George Washington was born February 22, 1732 in Pope's Creek (then Bridges Creek), Virginia. His birthplace is now a national monument. The home burned down around 1734, and they moved to Ferry Farm. A birthplace replica was built in 1932 for the bicentennial of his birth.
The Story
On April 2, 2024, my second day in Virginia, we made our way to the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Poor planning on my part saw the museum closed on Tuesdays, but my dad and I had a brief half-hour visit to the obelisk marking where our first president was born.
The obelisk marking the site of George Washington's birthplace.
The historical marker located at the site.
Boyhood Home: Fredericksburg, VA
George lived here, in this farm, for 3 years. It is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Estate is named "Ferry Farm."
The Story
On April 2, 2024, within 15 minutes of visiting the James Monroe Museum, we were at George Washington's Ferry Farm. In 2018, after years of archaeological work and reconstruction, a replica of Ferry Farm's house was completed on the site.
While I did have an enjoyable time, the tour seemed excessively long for being a replica house, although the archeology aspects of the museum were very cool. Regardless, it was a fun, if long, day.
While I did have an enjoyable time, the tour seemed excessively long for being a replica house, although the archeology aspects of the museum were very cool. Regardless, it was a fun, if long, day.
Sign located outside the visitor center
Enslaved Quarters
Replica of the enslaved quarters that would have been on the site.
Ferry Farm Visitor Center
Fireplace
Took another selfie
I always enjoy the artistry of medals.
Root Cellar
View from the hill
Wig curlers
Me outside the Ferry Farm house
My dad outside the Ferry Farm house
Plaque
Gallery
Home: Philadelphia, PA
George lived and did business here. It is located in Philadelphia, PA. It is named "Deshler-Morris House".
President's House Site
While this was not the Deshler-Morris House/Germantown White House, (which was closed this particular day), this was the site of the President's House where George Washington and John Adams lived when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States.
Home: Alexandria, VA
George lived here from 1761-1799. It is named "Mount Vernon".
The gorgeous view of Mount Vernon walking to the house!
This might be George Washington's deathbed.
Board believed to be a part of Fort Necessity
Mount Vernon had a few busts of George Washington, including this one.
Replica of George Washington's coffin
Pattern 1792 Washington gold coin
Curlers, marbles and other artifacts have been discovered at Ferry Farm in Fredericksburg, which I visited the following day. Some of those artifacts are seen here.
The Mount Vernon gardens were nice, and I'm sure if I visited in May or June they would be even more full.
Washington the young surveyor
Washington taking the oath of office
Obelisk located right outside of the Washington Tomb.
The small lamb kept "baaing" at me. I don't think it liked me, maybe it sensed my love of Dr. Hannibal Lecter?
Sign located on the property.
Beds in the slave quarters
Fireplace in the slave quarters
Spinning wheel in the slave quarters
Washington's spectacles from his Newburgh Address
Surveying tools
George Washington planted this tree in 1785!
Washington moved a lot!
The majestic George Washington on horseback.
Photo Gallery
Home: Charles Town, WV
George Washington inherited these lands from Thomas Fairfax. He gave them to Samuel Washington.
Home: Alexandria, VA
Washington lived here from 1760-1799. It is named "River Farm".
Ancestral Home: Tyne and Wear, England
The home of the ancestors of George Washington.
Gravesite: Alexandria, VA
In 1831, George and Martha Washington's bodies were moved to a newly built brick tomb, first in the wall, and than in the tombs.
The Story
Monday April 1, 2024 marked the first day of my long-awaited Virginia trip, in the works since at least 2010. Our first stop on the way down from New York was George Washington's Mount Vernon. Pulling up around noon, I was blown away not only by the vast area of land the estate encompassed, but also by the views of the home, which were beautiful and had me awestruck from the moment I reached the premises!
Mount Vernon was one of the two places I was most looking forward to on this trip, (the other being Monticello). George Washington's tomb has what I might call a simple elegance. At first glance, the clean, white marble sarcophagus might seem like an understated final resting place for the Father of Our Country, but it is perfectly befitting of a man who was first and foremost a humble servant of the people.
Mount Vernon was one of the two places I was most looking forward to on this trip, (the other being Monticello). George Washington's tomb has what I might call a simple elegance. At first glance, the clean, white marble sarcophagus might seem like an understated final resting place for the Father of Our Country, but it is perfectly befitting of a man who was first and foremost a humble servant of the people.
George and Martha Washington’s tombs
Former Burial Location: Alexandria, VA
On December 13, 1799, George Washington surveyed his lands, it was foul weather, and the next day he became ill of a sore throat. That night, he died in his bed surrounded by family, and on December 18, 1799, he was interred in this Old Tomb on the Estate. However, in his will, he directed to be buried in a new tomb, (which he selected the site for), which would replace the old one, which was deteriorating. This tomb has been restored.
George Washington's original tomb, where his body rested from 1799-1831.
Memorial: Washington, D.C.
The Washington Monument was dedicated in 1884 as a memorial to George Washington.
The Story
On the first day in Washington, though it was rainy, we walked from Arlington to the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. A few days later, when it was good weather, we went back and saw the monument again.
Memorial: Keystone, SD
The Mount Rushmore Memorial includes Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson. It was carved by Gutzon Borglum.
Memorial: Alexandria, VA
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial was built between 1922 and 1932 in his honor.
Memorial: New York, NY
Located outside of Federal Hall is a statue of George Washington, he took the Oath of Office here in 1789, and again in 1794.
The Story
On December 22, 2014, my friend Dhruv and I went to New York for the day, to spend time in the City that Never Sleeps before Christmas. This time, I had planned to go visit Federal Hall, and so the two of us took a guided tour through the hallowed ground where our first President once stood.
Washington statue outside Federal Hall.
Me outside Federal Hall
This stone was the step where Washington actually took his Oaths of Office for two terms. It survived the demolition of the original building, but was dropped in 2009 during a renovation.
The cracks on this doorway were from the impact of the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.
Washington's Inauguration Bible.
These buttons were actually worn by George Washington!
Replica Federal Hall
Replica Federal Hall
Replica Federal Hall.
George Washington's portrait inside Federal Hall
Replica of Washington's Presidential desk.
Portrait of Washington's Inauguration at Federal Hall in 1789.
Headquarters: Newburg, NY
Gen. George Washington operated here during the Revolutionary War.
The Story
On July 15, 2009, we went to Newburg to pick out the granite for our new countertops, after we picked it out, we saw a sign that pointed out that Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site was nearby. We decided to visit this as well. We got the tour of the headquarters, and it was wonderful! We then went to the FDR Library and Museum in Hyde Park.
Sign
This is the sign outside of the headquarters.
Monument Plaque
This plaque is located on the boulder in front of the monument.
The Minutemen Monument
This monument commemorates those minutemen who lost their lives fighting in the Revolution.
Plaque
This plaque says that the Headquarters has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Steps
Washington would use these steps to get unto his horse before battles.
Well
This is a well where Washington would get water.
Sundial
This sundial was used to tell time.
Building
Building where Washington stayed while he was at the headquarters.
Monument
A monument to the 19th Rigament of the New York State Militia.
Office and Museum: Winchester, VA
From September of 1755 until December of 1756, this served as Washington's Law Office. It now serves as a museum.
Kenmore Plantation: Fredericksburg, VA
Kenmore was the home of Washington's sister, Betty Washington Lewis. Mary Ball Washington, George's mother, is buried here.
Arlington House: Arlington, VA
While not exactly one of Washington's homes, this was the home of his nephew-in-law, Robert E. Lee. This house contains the bed in which Washington took his final breath.
The Story
When we had visited the JFK Eternal Flame and William Taft's graves, we decided to tour the Arlington House, which was in the cemetery. Unfortunately, (yet another highlight of our trip to Washington!), it was empty of most furnishings, (including the deathbed), in preperation for a restoration project to be finished the next year (2010).
