Following the President’s Footsteps: George Washington

The Early Years

George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February 22, 1732. He lived on a farm in Pope’s Creek for three years before spending most of his youth in Fredericksburg, VA. The original Pope’s Creek Plantation burned down in 1779, but the National Park Association has recreated a portion of the plantation known as the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. We recommend spending half a day touring the farm and learning about George as a youth before he joined the military and traveled to western Virginia and the Ohio Valley.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument
1732 Popes Creek Road
Washington’s Birthplace, VA 22443

The French & Indian War

Lieutenant Washington fought in the French & Indian War from 1753 – 1758 alongside the British. Today you can visit the Fort Pitt Museum, one of the best places to learn about this period of George’s life and the conflict between the British, French, and Native Americans.

Fort Pitt Museum
Point State Park
601 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Presidential Years

As president, George Washington never lived in Washington, D.C. During his two terms as the first US President from 1789 – 1797, the President and his family lived in two homes in New York City that have been torn down, as well as the President’s House in Philadelphia, PA. Today, you can visit an archeological exhibit on the grounds of the President’s House, which was home to President Washington (1790 – 1797) and later President John Adams before he moved into the White House in Washington, D.C.

President’s House
600 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

The most well-known place to learn about George Washington is Mount Vernon, the Washington family estate, originally purchased in 1734 and developed until his passing in 1799. Spend the day at Mount Vernon on a guided Mansion Tour (specialty tours are also available) and explore the rest of the plantation on your own. You will tour the entire first level of the mansion and continue upstairs, including the bedroom where George Washington passed away on December 14th.

While at Mount Vernon, walk through the museum that features some of the rare items owned by George Washington, including one of his swords and an actual pair of his false teeth. Mount Vernon is an amazing place to visit for families and will give you a better understanding of George Washington’s life and the early years of the United State of America.

While in the area, take a guided tour of George Washington’s Distillery and Grist Mill. They are located a short car ride from Mount Vernon and only take an extra hour of your afternoon. Admission is included with your Mount Vernon entrance fee.

Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

Memorials & Monuments

There are hundreds of cities, town, counties, and neighborhoods that have been named after George Washington. There are also thousands of statues, memorials and monuments for George Washington. We highly recommend visiting two of the largest monuments: The Washington Monument in Baltimore, MD and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

Other Travels

In May 1789 George Washington decided he would like to visit every state in the “new” country. Washington’s trips stretched north to New England, south to Georgia, and as far west as the Ohio Valley. He only travelled abroad once in his lifetime.

Check-it-Off Travel has a comprehensive listing of places you can visit associated with each of the US Presidents. Here are a few other places you that might interest you as you walk in George Washington’s footsteps:

• Governor John Langdon House (Portsmouth, NH)
• Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters (Cambridge, MA)
• Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum (Weathersfield, CT)
• Touro Synagogue (Newport, RI)
• Fraunces Tavern (New York, NY)
• Washington Crossing Historic Park (Washington Cross, PA)
• Valley Forge Historical Park (King of Prussia, PA)
• Natural Bridge State Park (Natural Bridge, VA)
• Tryon Palace (New Bern, NC)
• Heyward-Washington House (Charleston, SC)
• Christ Church (Savannah, GA).