Mt. Vernon, Va. –– George Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon was used during the Civil War, and caretakers of the estate want to tell that story in time for the war’s 150th Anniversary.
Historic Mount Vernon will begin offering its new tour, Mount Vernon in the Civil War, beginning April 2 at the estate grounds.
It will cover the role the mansion played during the battle, when Union troops who stormed Alexandria moved within four miles of the home, as well as the changing role of African American’s who lived at the plantation during the war.
“Many people think of Mount Vernon as a site that was active exclusively during the 18th century,” said Historic Mount Vernon spokeswoman Melissa Wood in a press release. “Through this new tour, our visitors will discover more about the fascinating, yet relatively unknown, events that occurred at George Washington’s home during the Civil War.”
The home was sold to the nation’s first historic preservation society, The Mount Vernon Ladies Association, eight years before the Civil War began.
Historical records show many Union and Confederate troops visited the mansion during the battles.
The Civil War tour will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and will cost $5 per person in addition to the regular paid admission prices. Admission to the estate is free for children ages five and under.
