An inspiring tour of Mount Vernon

During our visit to America in 2008, my brother Lokdarshan Shrestha, a resident of Fairfax, Virginia, took us on a sightseeing trip to his workplace in Baltimore, Maryland, and to Washington DC, the capital of the United States. By the time of our 2017 visit, he had legally become a permanent resident of Virginia. He was excited to share his happiness with me, as we had always been close. Keeping us in suspense without revealing any details, he surprised us by taking us to Mount Vernon—an iconic landmark I had never heard of before. Mount Vernon is actually the residence of America’s first president, George Washington. When I first heard the name, I imagined it to be a towering mountain. But to my surprise, it was simply an estate set on slightly elevated land.

Spread over a large area, Mount Vernon is managed by volunteers from a cooperative established for its preservation. The estate is open to the public for viewing, and at the entrance, there was a notice informing visitors that they could leave the entrance fee in a donation box at their discretion. The house where President George Washington and his wife Martha (not Mary, as I mistakenly thought) lived is small but beautiful. The atmosphere within the estate made us feel as though they might still be watching over the place from somewhere nearby.

The various exhibits and activities displayed throughout the grounds made it clear that George Washington was a wealthy landowner during his time. The Potomac River flows along the southern side of the estate, adding to the serene beauty of the environment. It is said that Washington would supervise his vineyards and other agricultural activities, often traveling by boat. He even used to commute by boat between Mount Vernon and Washington DC, the nation's capital. Interestingly, the pond at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC is fed by water from the Potomac River.

Our visit to Mount Vernon allowed us to witness a glimpse of how a self-sustaining economy operated in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was fascinating to see how people produced what they needed and traded for goods they didn't have through the barter system. Even though it was a reenactment for visitors, we watched demonstrations of various traditional crafts and skills. We saw rooms where workers spun yarn, wove cloth, crafted iron goods, and extracted oil. In addition, we observed farming activities, including the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, within the compound. We even saw the living quarters of workers and slaves from that time, along with stables for the horses used to pull carriages. The security personnel were dressed in period uniforms, adding to the authentic feel of the experience.

Later, we visited the tomb of President George Washington and his wife Martha, located about a hundred meters below the house. Standing before their final resting place, it felt as though they were still watching over the estate and its visitors. This visit to Mount Vernon made my trip to America truly meaningful, and I believe every enlightened visitor to Washington DC should also make time to visit this historic site.

Our second round of exploration at Mount Vernon took us to the museum located on the western side of the estate. The museum displays various artifacts from George Washington's life, including items he used in his work, the weapons he used in battle, and the clothes he wore. There are also several theaters screening documentaries about his life and the American Revolutionary War, two of which we had the chance to watch.

George Washington led the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. After the war ended, he became the first president of the United States, serving two terms from 1789 to 1797. If he had wished, he could have become an emperor, a dictator, or even president for life. But he voluntarily stepped down, returning to private life, and in doing so, he became a guide and inspiration for future generations. To this day, America seems to follow the example he set, with no interruption.