Bird’s Eye View of Mt. Vernon

The home of George Washington, in life and in death.

This beautiful bird’s eye view shows the vast estate and final resting place of America’s first President and Founding Father, George Washington. The sprawling 500-acre plantation sits on the banks of the Potomac River (visible in the foreground) about 15 miles south of Washington, D.C. in Fairfax County, Virginia. Fourteen different buildings and features are identified throughout the image, including the mansion, Washington’s tomb, and the iconic gardens (both flower and vegetable).

The print was copywritten (and likely published) in Massachusetts in 1859 by G. & F. Brill. The year prior to publication, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association acquired the property for historic preservation purposes and the organization continues to maintain the estate, a National Historic Landmark, to this day.

Source: Library of Congress;