An Event to Raise Spirits

The 19th Annual Spirit of Mount Vernon brought together the Washington, DC, corporate and government affairs communities with Capitol Hill on a glorious October evening for a socially distanced celebration on the east lawn. More than 350 guests, including association CEOs, corporate executives, leadership from top consulting firms and Capitol Hill, came to the estate for Mount Vernon’s largest annual fundraising event.

The evening included a sunset reception with a whiskey tasting bar sponsored by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, custom boxed dinners, a fife and drum performance, an online auction, and fireworks. Guests received “George Washington for President” buttons for a bit of election whimsy and a nod to the first president’s service.

In a challenging year for the estate and the country, the event generated nearly $600,000 for Mount Vernon’s mission of education and historic preservation, topping last year’s sponsorship and individual contribution support with more than 20 new organizations participating, and more than doubling the event’s gold sponsorships. A portion of the evening’s proceeds came from an online auction, which included 12 carefully selected items and experiences open for bidding both to guests at the event and supporters of Mount Vernon across the country.

The 2020 event co-chair leadership included: Michelle Korsmo­, president and CEO of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America; Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute; Brett Loper, EVP, Global Government Affairs with American Express; and Daniel Eubanks, senior manager, Federal Government Relations with Intuit. In a difficult year for holding in-person gatherings, the event co-chairs took on the challenge with a thoughtfulness that yielded a successful, special evening for all.

Mount Vernon will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Spirit of Mount Vernon on Thursday, October 7, 2021, with a special night honoring past leadership and the event’s unique history.

Mount Vernon thanks its sponsors

2020 Event Gold Sponsors:
America Express
American Petroleum Institute
Corn Refiners Association
Ford Motor Company
International Dairy Foods Association
Investment Company Institute
Intuit
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Retail Federation
The PNC Financial Services Group
Virginia Distillery Co.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America 

Learn more about this event at mountvernon.org/spirit.

Top: Mount Vernon president Doug Bradburn leads a toast with event co-chairs (R-L) Daniel Eubanks with Intuit, Michelle Korsmo with Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, and Mike Sommers with American Petroleum Institute.

Above: Guests at the Spirit of Mount Vernon include The Honorable Charles Tharp with Guy and Ellen Martin; Susan Neely with American Council of Life Insurers and Eve Jones; Chris Keuleman, Phillip Fordham, Meaghan Joyce and guests with International Paper; and Lt. Gen. Joe Anderson.
Photos by Dan Chung

Happy 289th, President Washington!

From the time of the Revolutionary War, people have celebrated George Washington’s birthday with parades, performances, and dances. On Monday, February 22, Mount Vernon hosted its first ever national celebration of Washington’s birthday with a virtual birthday party. More than 26,000 viewers from across the nation joined in to celebrate George Washington’s 289th birthday. The broadcast featured a performance from General and Mrs. Washington, birthday wishes from actors, musicians, and historians, including Denyce Graves, Rick Atkinson, and Colin Powell, a look back on the history of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, never-before seen preservation and collection highlights, a virtual visit to Washington’s gristmill, and more.

Hosted by the Regent and the Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and organized by the Neighborhood Friends, this pinnacle fundraiser raised more than $300,000 to support the restoration and preservation of George Washington’s beloved home.