Photo by Matt Briney

Better Prep, Better Visit
With the debut of a new orientation film, visitors to Mount Vernon can now better prepare for their visit. Using drone photography and 3D animation, the nine-minute production helps guests understand the importance of George Washington to the founding of the nation and presents the highlights of the estate. The average guest spends just two-and-half hours at Mount Vernon. This film gives them the necessary context to plan an enjoyable and fruitful visit. It will be shown in pre-visit emails and on websites and tour buses. To learn more about all the films shown at Mount Vernon, visit mountvernon.org/movies.

Winners of Inaugural Student Awards
On September 17 via a livestream, two students were named winners of the inaugural Mount Vernon Prize for Excellence in Civics and History in Honor of Dr. Jennifer London. The annual award recognizes outstanding middle and high school students who apply their understanding of Washington’s life to extend his legacy of public service and scholarship within their classrooms, schools, or communities. Mount Vernon is pleased to announce the inaugural award recipients. The 2021 high school winner is Eden Fisher, from Nevada High School in Nevada, Missouri. Inspired by Washington’s dedication to public service, Fisher spent much of her junior and senior years advocating for educational reform within her state legislature. She testified on behalf of two different bills submitted to the House Committee of Elementary and Secondary Education that will benefit student physical and mental health across Missouri. One bill was to change education for teachers regarding stress management so they can identify and assist struggling students, while the second bill was to require education for students regarding the dangers of vaping. Fisher receives a $5,000 award. The second awardee is Sepehr Agah. Although he is now a rising freshman at Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg, Virginia, Agah is being honored for an essay he wrote as an 8th grader, entitled “Washington’s Farewell Address: The Letter that Shaped the Nation.” Through his paper and research, Sepehr was not only able to share information about Washington’s impact on our country, but also extend Washington’s legacy of supporting classroom education. Agah receives a $1,000 award. Both winners also receive family memberships to Mount Vernon. Visit mountvernon.org/StudentAward to learn more.

Festive Fourth
The annual event “An American Celebration” kicked off July 4 with 6,738 guests in attendance. The memorable day began on the bowling green with “General Washington” inspecting the troops—the First Virginia Regiment—followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Entertainment included hot-air balloon demonstrations, military drills, and the Sons of Liberty musicians playing in the upper garden. Mount Vernon’s popular daytime fireworks over the Potomac River and the music of the National Concert Band of America delighted guests and enhanced the patriotic atmosphere of the day. The day’s highlight was a naturalization ceremony on the east lawn, in which 40 people from 33 different countries became the newest citizens of the United States. This ceremony was held in partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.