Additional Thoughts on Mount Vernon

I recently had the chance to read, "Washington: A Life," by Ron Chernow, which I found quite moving because, while it traced his whole public life and the intertwined history of the Revolutionary War, the book actually gave more attention to what his correspondence - and that of others - reveal about his personality and personal life.  The book makes vividly clear how central a role Mount Vernon played in Washington's life, and demonstrates in many ways the truth of a famous quote of Washington:

"I can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of State and the representatives of every power of Europe."

This quotation is displayed on the wall of the Visitors Center at Mount Vernon, and when I saw it as Kathy and I arrived, I felt that the Ladies Association that owns and preserves Mount Vernon clearly has worked hard at trying to bring us closer to Washington, the person, by showing us his home.  As Kathy and I toured the mansion and walked the grounds, I recalled echoes of his biography and remembered what Chernow discovered in Washington's own feelings and experiences regarding various parts of the estate.

Here are three other photos of Mount Vernon that capture something of what we experienced:  The first is a view of the mansion itself, then a view of the Potomac and the famous old oak tree from the mansion, and finally, a view of the Mount Vernon wharf on the Potomac, with a small fishing boat to the left of the dock.