Another Extraordinary Day at Mount Vernon

I don’t think anything can top today. Quick recap: Constitutional Convention lecture by Gordon Wood, trip to Gadsby’s Tavern, trip to Washington’s gristmill and distillery, and sipping whiskey on the piazza at Mount Vernon at sunset. Ahhh!

Longer recap: Gordon talked about the importance of the Constitutional Convention and George Washington’s role in it in 1787. As a reminder, the United States was a “confederation” at the time of the convention in 1787. The problem facing the country was the fact that the federal government had no powers. This was especially critical since there were no trade regulations or a way to deal with foreign countries. We were basically humiliated by other

countries because we had no power. James Madison, John Adams, and even Thomas Jefferson (who would’ve preferred stronger states rights) knew it was time to meet to change the government. But they needed one man to join…George Washignton. The problem was that Washington promised to stay out of public life. And, as we all know, Washington always keeps his word. Madison convinces him to be the president of the convention. Washington reluctantly accepts. (Letters between Washington and Madison show that Washington asks about the “executive” in his plans.Madison’s response is “I haven’t given it much thought…”) During the convention, Washington says very little. He knows that he is such a beloved and respected figure that WHATEVER he says will be taken as gospel. He knows his importance and influence. But he says hardly anything. Can you imagine a leader today doing that? Having power, but completely restraining it! The other interesting fact about the convention is the fact that they kept it secret from the public during the duration. No grandstanding. No going on Fox News to get public support. No tweets. It would be impossible today. At the end of the convention, the Constitution is created and General Washington becomes President Washington.

Our group went to Gadsby’s Tavern today where Washington would frequent when he ventured into Alexandria. Interesting facts: taverns food prices were set by local magistrates, all taverns had to have areas for patrons to sleep if they drank too much, and George Washington first had a “birthday celebration” at Gadsby’s. We then went to the gristmill and distillery. The mill was amazing. When Washington was President, one of his jobs was to sign all patents that came through. He saw a design for a mill from a guy in

Delaware named Evans that took the work of 6 people and reduced it to 2. So, Washington, being the smart businessman he was, hired Evans to make him a mill. Today at Mount Vernon, the mill is the only operating Evans mill in existence. It was so impressive. Four stories of gears, grindstones, water wheel, elevators, grain, flour, and barrels. He used part of that mill to produce flour to ship to Europe and also to make whiskey. He was the most profitable whiskey producer in the states when he passed away in 1799.

The people here at Mount Vernon have been

tremendous. The access we’ve had has been unprecedented. Tonight after dinner, after all the tourists have gone home and the gates locked, I drank whiskey with my colleagues while sitting on George Washington’s back porch at sunset. On the piazza. At the Mount Vernon mansion. I sat where George sat, drinking what George drank, enjoying company like George did, watching the geese fly over the Potomac like George saw, enjoying life like George enjoyed. It was the absolute highlight in a week full of highlights. Something I’ll never forget.