Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4. SLAVE QUARTERS
Many slaves had living spaces distributed over the plantation so that they were con-
venient to the work they were assigned. The remaining slaves lived communally in
these quarters on the edge of the estate. In his will, Washington freed all his slaves
and made provision for their ongoing support. Memorials to his slaves, erected in
1983, are located at the slave burial ground southwest of Washington's tomb, which
itself is at the southwest end of the plantation.
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5. UPPER AND LOWER GARDENS
The wonderfully colorful upper flower garden is densely planted with varieties
known to be cultivated in Washington's time. The lower garden is surrounded by
boxwood bushes that were planted before Washington's death. This orderly and ex-
pansive plot yielded a wealth of vegetables and berries for the plantation.
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6. CROP EXPERIMENTATION
The extremely handsome greenhouse complex was one place where Washington
carried out his extensive experimentation with different plant varieties. He always
sought to find potentially profitable new crops for his five farms. Slaves were as-
signed to tend the wood fires to keep the greenhouse warm in the winter.
7. LIVESTOCK
Younger visitors to Mount Vernon love the chance to come face-to-face with some of
the animals typical of colonial farming, including Ossabaur Island hogs, Hog Island
sheep, Bronze Gobbler turkeys, Dominique chickens, Milking Devon cattle, mules,
oxen, and horses.
8. NEW FARMING TOOLS
Washington adapted or invented many new farm implements to suit his various ag-
ricultural needs. He designed a new shape for a plow, made improvements to a seed-
ing machine with a barrel feeder, and invented a turnip planter.
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