Re-envisioning Mount Vernon: a digital reconstruction of George Washington’s Estate.

Summary

The role of the estate as providing support to the hinterland community during the Washington family’s ownership (c. 1675-1858) and prominence beginning with the MVLA’s acquisition of the property have defined community development, both past and present. Though much of the 20th century suburban growth has erased some of the traces of Mount Vernon’s landscape, features remain, from old roadways to 20th century worker’s cottages. The transformation from single-owner plantation, to small farms, and then to residential housing development all left behind traces which add value to Mount Vernon’s history. It is the intent of this project to complete chain-of-title research on the properties within the former plantation’s boundaries to visualize change. This paper highlights the first phase of this project focused on Union Farm, one of Washington’s optimized farms, and the potential for its use in archaeological research.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeological Perspectives on the World of George Washington   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2015

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 535