Spring Wine Festival And Sunset Tour, Garden Sale: Mount Vernon Spring Events

MOUNT VERNON, VA — With the flowers blooming and the landscape becoming greener, spring is an ideal time to visit George Washington's estate.

The estate, privately run and preserved by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, is open daily and hosts various events throughout the year. A spring highlight is the popular Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. This event tends to sell out, so get your tickets early.

The estate is also seeking nominations for its Mount Vernon Teacher of the Year through April 30. The Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year Award is presented annually to a local history or social studies teacher "who brings creativity and passion to their classroom; instills a love of learning in students; and deepens student understanding and appreciation of history," according to Mount Vernon. The winning teacher will be announced in May or June.

Other top events coming up include National Symphony Orchestra at Mount Vernon, opening of George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill for the season, Easter Buffet at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, Spring Plant and Garden Sale, George Washington Whiskey Tasting, Revolutionary War Weekend.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March. In April, hours will be extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit www.mountvernon.org.

Here is the lineup of spring events at Mount Vernon:

Homeschool Day: March 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Children 5 and under: Free, Ages 6-18: $12, Adults: $14

Mount Vernon invites homeschooling families to discover the 18th century by exploring the farm at Mount Vernon. Special activities and discount rates are offered.

Book Talk: George Washington and the Irish: March 8 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This free book talk at the Fred W. Smith National Library focuses on Niall O'Dowd's book, "George Washington and the Irish: Incredible Stories of the Irish, Spies, Soldiers, and Workers Who Helped Free America." The book examines the role the Irish played in the American Revolution and their relationships with George Washington.

The Revolutionary: Author Lecture with Stacy Schiff: March 15, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Meet Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Stacy Schiff as she discusses her new book, "The Revolutionary, Samuel Adams." Schiff explores his transformation from the son of a well-off family to a tireless radical who mobilized the colonies. A book signing and reception follow the lecture.

Fresh Bread from Half Crown Bakehouse: March 17-19, April 1-4, May 2-4, more dates

Join Resident Baker Justin Cherry of Half Crown Bakehouse for an 18th century baking demonstration. Loaves are made with grains authentic to the time period and are made in a reproduced 18th century clay oven. Bread making typically happens from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is sold from 11:30 a.m. until it's gone.

National Symphony Orchestra at Mount Vernon: March 28 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cost: $65

The orchestra will perform in this three-part series with a champagne and a chocolate reception. Performer and recording artist David K. Hildebrand will introduce music and instruments General Washington enjoyed such as the Nelly Parke Custis harpsichord.

George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill open for the season: April 1

Reconstructions of George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill are located 2.7 miles from the estate’s main entrance. Tours are offered on weekends from April to October and are included with a Mount Vernon grounds pass.

Easter Buffet at Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant: April 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

cost: $70 per adult, $25 per child (plus 20 percent gratuity and 6 percent tax)

Enjoy a special Easter buffet menu on Sunday, April 9. For reservations, call 703-799-5096.

Pretty Young Rebel: Author Lecture with Flora Fraser: April 13, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Attend a lecture and reception with historian Flora Fraser about her new book, "Pretty Young Rebel." Fraser dispels misinformation to reveal a picture of a headstrong woman named Flora Macdonald, a young Scotswoman whose decision to help Prince Charlie, the Stuart claimant to the British throne, evade capture and flee the country. A book signing and reception with complimentary beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres will follow the lecture.

Ford Evening Book Talk: The Great New York Fire of 1776: April 27, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Benjamin L. Carp will discuss his book "The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution." This new book tells the untold story of the mysterious fire that burned down much of New York City shortly after the British took the city during the Revolutionary War. A book signing follows the lecture.

Spring Plant and Garden Sale: Member sale on April 28 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., public sale April 29 to 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop for heirloom vegetables, herbs, annual flowers, native perennials, trees, and shrubs grown in Mount Vernon's greenhouses. Advance tickets are not needed on April 29 and 30. Mount Vernon members receive a 10 percent discount.

George Washington Whiskey Tasting: Saturdays in May, June, and September, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $60 for non-members, $50 for members

Sample George Washington's whiskey and other distilled spirits made at Washington's Distillery.

Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: May 6 to 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $35 for adults, $21 for youth
Mount Vernon's 12-acre field transforms into a battleground as Continentals, Redcoats and Hessians conduct military drills, perform cavalry demonstrations and engage in 18th century tacticals. Meet the soldiers who are encamped at Mount Vernon, discuss military techniques and greet General Washington. Walk through the Museum of the American Revolution's replica of General Washington's War Tent, which served as the marquee—or office and sleeping quarters—that he used as the command center of the Continental Army.

Ford Evening Book Talk: Beauty and the Brain: May 18, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hear from Rachel E. Walker, author of "Beauty and the Brain: The Science of Human Nature in Early America." This new book looks at the history of phrenology and physiognomy, a new way of understanding the connection between science, politics, and popular culture in early America. Walker provides an important history of how people tried to read facial features as a mark of character for both conservative and radical purposes. This event includes a book signing.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour: May 19 to 21, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cost: Friday: $49 for members; $59 for non-members; Saturday: $53 for members; $63 for non-members; Sunday: $43 for members; $53 for non-members

Head to Mount Vernon for the estate's most popular event of the year. Taste unlimited samples of wines from Virginia’s finest wineries, bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Enjoy the live music of Bruce Ewan and the Solid Senders.

Rebels at Sea: Author Lecture with Eric Jay Dolin: May 24, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

"Rebels at Sea" by Eric Jay Dolin looks at Revolutionary heroes whose exploits and sacrifices were at the very center of the conflict but rarely talked about. A book signing and reception with complimentary beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres will follow the lecture.