The Daughters of Bethel #36, Honored Queen Emily , Marshall Rebecca, Chaplin Brandie,  and Acting Guide Bethany   as well Les Hodgson, ABG and Christina Candler Director of Music, Rochelle , Director of Epics were joined by Bob Candler, WM of Pythagoras Lodge #123 and George Hoffman, Senior Deacon Of Mt Moriah Lodge # 116 and his daughter Katie on a mystery trip to Mt Vernon home of 1st President of United States and Brother Master Mason George Washington.

       The tour of George Washington’s home was very interesting.  It sits right on the Potomac River and the view is breathtaking.   We learned that George Washington expanded his Mt Vernon home quite a bit after he inherited it.  He added on to the house as well as outbuildings and gardens. We learned about life at Mt Vernon as well as the types of crops that were being grown.  General Washington thought that the 18th century farming methods were severely lacking so he came up with some of his own.   These included crop rotation as well as using several different types of fertilizer.

There were demonstrations of some of the games that children played during the 18th-centrury.  Everyone tried their hand at graces and hoop and stick.  While we were there we participated in some of the Fall Harvest activities that were taking place, we roasted parts of apples on stick by the fire while listening to history of Mt Vernon.  Rebecca was asked to help out at the fabric making demonstration.  They had her breaking up flax so that it could be spun into thread.  Everyone had a great time and learned something new about General Washington as well as life in the 18th century.

Notes and pictures courtesy of Dad Les