MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Mount Vernon invites schools to experience 18th-century plantation life at the home of George Washington during its Colonial Days program, October 20 through November 13; and February 17, 2010 through March 12, 2010. The program, included in admission, gives students the opportunity to watch blacksmithing demonstrations, participate in a special ceremony at George Washington’s tomb, watch 18th-century trade demonstrations at the farm, play colonial games, and meet costumed characters. In October and November, students can enter to win an opportunity to feed one of the calves at Mount Vernon! New for the 2009-2010 school year: Title I schools will receive a reduced rate of $4 per student and required chaperones. Teachers from Title I schools will receive free admission during Colonial Days. For more information and to make a reservation, please visit MountVernon.org/Learn.
Some of the Colonial Days highlights include:
• Visit Mount Vernon’s 18th-century blacksmith! All participating teachers will receive an 18th-century-style wall hook handcrafted by the blacksmith.
• Meet history “Face-to-Face”! Any school that brings more than 175 students to the program can register for a free Face-to-Face video conference. This interactive half-hour program allows your students to learn history firsthand from Mount Vernon’s character interpreters and storytellers.
• Bottle feed our baby cows! Students are encouraged to write a one-paragraph letter to George Washington the Farmer and win the chance, during their Colonial Days visit, to bottle-feed one of the Red Devon calves (October/November session only). E-mail letters to education@mountvernon.org and include the name of the student, date of visit, and scheduled time of arrival.
• George Washington Portrait Assemblies! Order your free George Washington portrait and register for the opportunity for a presentation at your school in January 2010. Presentations are available on a limited schedule and first-come basis.
• Observe costumed workers demonstrating spinning, basketmaking, woodworking, weaving, candlemaking, soldiering, and more!
• Learn about farming and slave life at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site and outlying slave cabin.
• Play colonial games!
• Participate in a special ceremony at George Washington’s tomb.
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