The New Mount Vernon, Where the Father of Our Country is Brought Into the 21st Century

If you haven't checked out Mount Vernon recently, you're missing out. The beloved home of George Washington, the father of our country, has undergone a facelift that has made it worthy of the 21st century.

The Ford Orientation Center and Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center are the major highlights of the $110 million upgrade. Designed by GWWO Inc./Architects of Baltimore, Maryland, these buildings feature state of the art technology and what has come to be known as "edutainment" in profiling Washington's life from early childhood to the presidency.

Mount Vernon was already the most popular historic estate in America, but visitors often commented on its static nature. Mount Vernon's caretakers were concerned that young people, especially children, weren't really seeing the dynamic side of George Washington - the side that made him the central figure in 18th century America.

"We have found in recent years that visitors are coming to Mount Vernon with only the most basic knowledge about George Washington," said James C. Rees, executive director of Mount Vernon, in a press release prior to the new buildings opening this past October. "To preserve his legacy, we are building new facilities to show visitors specifically why George Washington, the most dynamic leader of his time, was chosen again and again by the founding fathers to lead this country."

After visiting Mount Vernon a couple weeks ago, this author can say that they succeeded! The new Mount Vernon features dozens of interactive galleries and media displays along with multi-sensory experiences. The Ford Orientation Center has a great film about George Washington, providing snippets of his life, including Trenton, New Jersey and his death-defying exploits in the French and Indian War. (The author can only wonder why Hollywood hasn't made a movie about George Washington!) In another theater (featuring yet another film), snow actually comes down on the audience!