NEWS
Happy Birthday George!
More than 5,400 guests visited the estate on February 21 to celebrate George Washington's birthday with special programs throughout the day, including demonstrations by the commander in chief’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. It was a federal holiday, and admission to Mount Vernon was free. The program also included remarks by Doug Bradburn, Mount Vernon’s president and CEO, and Margaret H. Nichols, the Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
The following day, February 22, Washington’s actual birthday, Mount Vernon hosted a naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens, a wreathlaying ceremony at Washington’s Tomb, and cooking demonstrations. The second annual George Washington National Birthday Celebration took place that evening.
Clockwise from above: a wreath-laying ceremony with Regent Margaret Nichols, music by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, photo ops with
“George Washington,” a naturalization ceremony for new citizens; and remarks by Douglas Bradburn, Mount Vernon’s president and CEO.
Photos by Clarissa Villondo, Keila Lau-Lopez, and Thalia Romero
A Streaming Celebration
On February 22, viewers across the country celebrated George Washington’s 290th birthday at the second annual National Birthday Celebration, presented by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, in coordination with the Neighborhood Friends of Mount Vernon.
The virtual birthday party featured esteemed historians and authors reflecting on the precedents set by the first president. Participants included Pulitzer Prize–winning author Joseph Ellis discussing why Washington was “First in War,” National Book Award winner Nathaniel Philbrick tracing Washington’s first tour of the new nation, historian Lindsay Chervinksy on the first presidential cabinet, Pulitzer Prize winner Gordon Wood on the first Supreme Court, Judge Rohulamin Quander on establishing a new capital city, and journalist John Avlon examining Washington’s Farewell Address. Participants were also able to bid on auction items featuring exclusive opportunities and experiences. Proceeds from the event will support the preservation of Mount Vernon.
National Birthday Celebration participants
included Judge Rohulamin Quander (above), Dean Norton, program host and Mount Vernon’s director of horticulture, surrounded by members of Neighborhood Friends and Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D., former secretary of state (below)
