This past week I was able to travel to Mt. Vernon, the home of our first president. Mt. Vernon is located about 8 miles South of Alexandria and if you do not have a car then you will have to take a bus. It costs 15 dollars to tour the grounds of the estate. If you are in Washington, D.C. in the spring, I would recommend going there to walk all of the gardens. I was able to take a 30 minute tour of the mansion, which was very informative and interesting. After I toured the house I walked to the back of the house, which overlooks the Potomac River. The area on the opposite side of the river is a national park, so the area has been able to maintain its original landscape over all these years.
I then made my way to the tomb of George and Martha Washington. Before George Washington’s death, he had picked out a location in which he wanted a large tomb constructed to hold family members. Upon George Washington’s death, the new tomb had not yet been constructed, so his body was placed in an older tomb on the grounds. A few years later the new tomb was constructed and his body was moved to where it rests now.
There were also a number of buildings surrounding the mansion. There were stables, kitchens, slave quarters, and barns. There were also a number of animals on the grounds including sheep and cows. One of the most interesting animals that was there was a camel...yes, a camel. When George Washington lived at Mt. Vernon, he decided to bring in a camel one year and the tradition has apparently stuck. There was also a large museum dedicated to George Washington, filled with artifacts from his life.
I was also able to go to the National Mall to see the Capitol Christmas Tree. The Capitol Christmas Tree is located on the west side of the Capital and has been a tradition sense 1964. This year the tree came from Arizona and is decorated with 5,000 ornaments, which were made by children from Arizona. Each year, the Speaker of the House lights the Christmas tree. I was unable to make it down to see the tree at night, but I was able to during the day, so if you’re in D.C. during Christmas make sure to go to the Capitol at night to see the tree.
I then made my way to the tomb of George and Martha Washington. Before George Washington’s death, he had picked out a location in which he wanted a large tomb constructed to hold family members. Upon George Washington’s death, the new tomb had not yet been constructed, so his body was placed in an older tomb on the grounds. A few years later the new tomb was constructed and his body was moved to where it rests now.
There were also a number of buildings surrounding the mansion. There were stables, kitchens, slave quarters, and barns. There were also a number of animals on the grounds including sheep and cows. One of the most interesting animals that was there was a camel...yes, a camel. When George Washington lived at Mt. Vernon, he decided to bring in a camel one year and the tradition has apparently stuck. There was also a large museum dedicated to George Washington, filled with artifacts from his life.
I was also able to go to the National Mall to see the Capitol Christmas Tree. The Capitol Christmas Tree is located on the west side of the Capital and has been a tradition sense 1964. This year the tree came from Arizona and is decorated with 5,000 ornaments, which were made by children from Arizona. Each year, the Speaker of the House lights the Christmas tree. I was unable to make it down to see the tree at night, but I was able to during the day, so if you’re in D.C. during Christmas make sure to go to the Capitol at night to see the tree.
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