Photos

Mount Vernon, home to George Washington for more than 45 years, was first known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation. Originally granted to Washington's great grandfather John Washington in 1674, it passed to Washington's older half-brother, who renamed the property Mount Vernon after Admiral Edward Vernon of the British navy. George Washington inherited the property upon the death of his brothers widow in 1761.

This view is from the back of the mansion house, as it faces the waters of the Potomac River. On this day they were reparing the siding on the front of the house, spoiling any shots on that side. The central estate covered about 500 acres, with servant quarters, gardens, meadows, barns and various other buildings. Under Washington’s ownership, the plantation grew from 2,000 acres to over 8,000.