It's A Haigood Life!: Mount Vernon...and The National Treasure Tour!

During our stay in Maryland, we made a day field trip to Virginia to visit Mount Vernon, home and burial place of George Washington.

We enjoyed taking a tour of the home and surrounding buildings. One of the interesting areas of the house is Washington's bedroom. On December 14th, 1799, George Washington died of what now many believe was a bacterial infection. Just 2 days before his death, Washington had been busy working on his plantation outside in the cold, wintry weather. The next morning he woke up with a sore throat. He continued to go to work outside. His condition worsened and although doctors tried their best to save him with the medical care available at that time, he passed away in his bedroom late the next night. Washington's bed is still in that very room where he died. As we stopped to view the room, we were all fascinated to see such an important scene literally frozen in time.

Not too far from the house is the tomb of Washington, where he and his wife Martha were buried. There are also other Washington family members buried at the site. George Washington gave specific instructions that he was to be buried on his Mount Vernon estate, the place he loved to call home.

While we were there, archaeologists were working at the original kitchen site (built by George Washington's older half-brother or his father). In 1775, George Washington had the original kitchen demolished and a new kitchen was put in. In the past they have found ceramics related to food preparation and storage.

One of the archaeologists spoke with us about some of their recent findings. They have found lots of broken pieces of dishes among other things. The boys had the chance to touch some of them.

One interesting piece was actually a little arm from a doll...

Around the house were several beautiful trees. A few of them were actually planted by George Washington himself! It is amazing they are still alive and well today!

The boys got a kick out of touching a tree that George Washington touched...too cool!!

Later that afternoon, we attended a National Treasure tour! If you have seen the movie, "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" than you may remember the scene at Mount Vernon where Nicolas Cage's character (Benjamin Gates) kidnaps the president in order to receive important information to clear his family's name from false accusations. Our tour guide gave us behind the scenes information and a tour of the basement of the house. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the basement though :(

Here is a copy of the map of the tunnel used in the movie...

After we toured the basement and the area around the house, our tour guide showed us the area where some other scenes from the movie were filmed. This spot is also where Nicolas Cage came up from the water in disguise to join the party.

This is where the President and Nicolas Cage exited out of the tunnel. It is actually an ice house...

Joshua was worn out and he fell asleep during the tour :) I guess being the youngest of four boys, afternoon naps just end up being wherever and whenever he can get them! He sure is a trooper to go on so many all day field trips!