Mount Vernon's Outbuildings: What Were They For?

8 Must-See Outbuildings at Mount Vernon Mount Vernon's outbuildings housed the many important trades that sustained the bustling plantation. Learn about the blacksmith shop, wash house, shoemaker's shop and more. LEARN MORE

How did the Smokehouse Work? Watch Samuel Murphy, Manager of Historic Trades, explain how the Washingtons preserved meats in the smokehouse at Mount Vernon. WATCH VIDEO

Preserving Mount Vernon's North Garden House As one of Mount Vernon's original 18th-century structures, the North Garden House suffers from significant deterioration and is currently under restoration. While primarily used as storage for tools and seeds, it also briefly served as a schoolhouse.   LEARN MORE

Do You Know Which Outbuildings Are Original? There are 20 original structures preserved at Mount Vernon, including walls and fences. This includes many of the outbuildings that can be found on the North and South Lanes at Mount Vernon. SEE WHICH OUTBUILDINGS ARE ORIGINAL

From left to right: Coach House, Wash House, Smokehouse, Clerk's Quarters, Mansion Kitchen

Early 1900s Image of the South Lane This 1920s image shows two visitors strolling by the historic outbuildings on the South Lane at Mount Vernon. SEE PHOTO

Mount Vernon Virtual Tour Can't make it out to visit Mount Vernon? Take our virtual tour to explore the outbuildings. TAKE VIRTUAL TOUR

13 Newly Discovered Objects from the Washingtons' Kitchen We're working to bring back to Mount Vernon 13 newly discovered objects from George and Martha Washington’s kitchen. These types of 18th-century kitchen items rarely survive into the present day. You can help us to bring them home by sponsoring an object. LEARN ABOUT SPONSORSHIP

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Mount Vernon is owned and maintained in trust for the people of the United States by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, a private, non-profit organization. We don't accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington’s home and legacy.

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