Soldier’s Quarters

Revolutionary War Soldier’s Cabin at Mount Vernon Museum, Mount Vernon, Virginia.

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The image, Soldier’s Quarters, is subject to copyright by barneykin. It is posted here with permission via the Flickr API by barneykin, administrator of “The Revolution ed” pool.

The Washington Tomb

Tomb Entrance, Mount Vernon, Virginia

George Washington died in his bedroom at Mount Vernon on December 14th, 1799. His will directed that he be buried on the grounds of his beloved estate where he had selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the original burial vault which was badly weathered and succumbing to the elements. However, the new tomb was not completed until more than thirty years later. It was in 1831, that the earthly remains of George and Martha were removed there. Every day from April through October a wreath laying ceremony is performed at 10 am and 2 pm in tribute to America’s greatest leader.

Learn More: The American Revolution

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The image, Washington Tomb, is subject to copyright by barneykin. It is posted here with permission via the Flickr API by barneykin, administrator of “The Revolution ed” pool.

Mount Vernon Cake

Someone, somewhere, remembers the legacy of the Washingtons of Mount Vernon, Virginia. In times past, on Christmas Day, visitors to the Mount Vernon estate were offered copies of the original recipe for Martha Washington’s famous cake.

Martha Washington’s Great Cake

(One of Mrs. Washington’s favorite recipes)

(Shown 1/4th Actual Size!)

“Take 40 eggs and divide the whites from the yolks and beat them to a froth. Then work 4 pounds of butter to a cream and put the whites of eggs to it a Spoon full at a time till it is well work’d. Then put 4 pounds of sugar finely powdered to it in the same manner then put in the Yolks of eggs and 5 pounds of flour and 5 pounds of fruit. 2 hours will bake it. Add to it half an ounce of mace and nutmeg half a pint of wine and some fresh brandy.”

Notes: In making the great cake, Mount Vernon’s curatorial staff followed Mrs. Washington’s recipe almost exactly. Where the recipe called for 5 pounds of fruit, without specifying which ones, 2 pounds of raisins, 1 pound of currants, and 2 pounds of apples were used. The wine used was cream sherry. Since no pan large enough was available to hold all the batter, two 14 (inch) layers were made and stacked (note: the original was one single tall layer). The layers were baked in a 350 degree oven for 1.5 hours. Should be iced with a very stiff egg-white based icing, flavored with rosewater or orange-flower water.

The image, Another shot of Liz’s Mount Vernon cake, was originally uploaded by readhd59. It is posted here from Neddy’s favorites.

George Washington Tomb

Mount Vernon, Virginia, October 2005

For two centuries after his death, American school children have known George Washington as the “Father of His Country”. When the great First President died in 1799, Congress adopted the eulogy given my his fellow Virginian, Henry Lee: “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” At the dawning of the 21st century the Commanding General of the Continental Army seems to be headed for the dust bin of history. Last year in a poll G.W. ranked about seventh, behind Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

The image, George Washington Tomb, was originally uploaded by WassUpDoc?. It is posted here from Neddy’s favorites.