“In this post, I proudly present to you, our First President…”
“George Washington.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE NATIONAL MONUMENT – George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in a small house that once graced this site. Washington’s birthplace is located along the shore of Pope’s Creek near present day Colonial Beach, Virginia.
“Wakefield, which the birthplace was later called, was destroyed by fire and flood on Christmas Day in 1779 and was never rebuilt.The exact location of Washington’s birth house is outlined in crushed oyster shells.”
“George Washington lived at this site until the age of three; he returned later to live here as a teenager.“
“The exact appearance of Wakefield is not known. The Memorial House behind me was built in 1931 and opened on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth in 1932.”
I’m standing in the section of Wakefield that was present when Washington was born. The two side wings were added after his birth.Can you see me in the far corner?“
FERRY FARM – Located near Fredericksburg, Virginia, this farm was the boyhood home of George Washington. He lived on the farm from age six until his early 20’s.
“George’s father, Augustine, acquired the plantation in 1738 and moved his family there.When his father died at the farm in 1743, George inherited the property. His mother lived there until 1772.”
“I’m standing on the dining room table; but keep in mind, this house is a reproduction that was built on the footprints of the original farmhouse.”
“I’m in one of the upstairs bedrooms that would’ve been used by the children. When George was in his late teens, he often stayed at the home of his half-brother Lawrence. That home was called Mount Vernon.”
“Augustine Washington had left behind his surveying instruments when he died. Young George began to use them and found his first true love of surveying.”
“Two George Washington “urban legends” were born at Ferry Farm. It was here, when George was six, that he barked one of his father’s favorite English cherry trees with a new hatchet.It was also at this farm where George was at the shore of the Rappahannock River and threw a silver dollar across the river.By the time George was 20, his half-brother Lawrence died, and he permanently moved to Mount Vernon.“
“Standing on this split-rail fence at Ferry Farm gave me a chance to reflect on young Washington and his time living on this farm.”
“I envisioned young George as he rode his horse around the field behind me; perhaps with hatchet in hand in search of a cherry tree.”
“On July 17, 2020 I visited Ferry Farm for the second time. On that trip, I concentrated on the land instead of the house.”
NATURAL BRIDGE – A geological formation located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Natural Bridge was where George Washington arrived in 1750 and made his mark as a young surveyor.
“Legend has it that 18-year-old surveyor George Washington once threw a rock over the 215-foot tall, 90-foot-wide span of Natural Bridge. With an arm like that, George should’ve pitched in the Major League’s instead of going into the military or politics.During his time at the site, George Washington carved his initials into the wall of the bridge, some 23 feet above Cedar Creek below.”
“Natural Bridge was truly a place where legends were born; which was likely the reason why Thomas Jefferson bought the property in 1774.”
“As I stood near the side of the creek, I wondered how Washington climbed up the side of the span to chisel his initials into the rock. Perhaps he repelled down from the top, which made more sense.”
MARTHA DANDRIDGE CUSTIS – On January 6, 1759, 27-year-old widow Martha Dandridge Custis married 26-year-old George Washington at Martha’s estate known as ‘White House Plantation’ near White House, Virginia. George and Martha honeymooned for several weeks at White House before they settled in at Mount Vernon.
“This artwork depicts the wedding ceremony of George and Martha.”
LONGFELLOW HOUSE – WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – This two-and-a-half-story home was built in 1759 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the summer of 1837, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow rented two rooms on the second floor, which were the same two rooms once used by General George Washington as his headquarters.
“General George Washington lived in this house and used it as his headquarters from July 16, 1775 until April 4, 1776.”
“In December 1775, Martha arrived at the headquarters to stay with her husband. As a matter of fact, George and Martha celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in this home.”
“During his time at the home, Washington entertained several famous visitors, including John and Abigail Adams, Benedict Arnold, Henry Knox, and Nathanael Greene.”
McCONKEY’S FERRY INN – The original McConkey’s Ferry was built in 1752 on this site. It was from this area in Pennsylvania where General George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River on December 25, 1776.
“The McConkey’s Ferry building behind me was built in 1790. Even though it wasn’t the original building, the structure was still very old. The extremely narrow bridge in the background was how I crossed the Delaware.”
WASHINGTON CROSSING – On the night of December 25th into the morning of December 26, 1776, George Washington led 2,400 troops across the Delaware River for a surprise attack on Hessian soldiers in Trenton, New Jersey.
“From my position on the Washington Crossing monument, I could easily see New Jersey that was roughly 300 yards across the Delaware River.As a matter of fact, I stood where the small pathway led down to the river on the New Jersey side.”
“Washington’s troops began to cross the river at 6pm on Christmas Day but didn’t finish the crossing until 3am on the 26th.”
“When I stood on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, I envisioned the 29-to-33-degree temperatures, with sleet and snow, as it blew from the North while the men crossed the icy river.Future President James Monroe was one of the troops that crossed with Washington. Monroe was eventually wounded in the Battle of Trenton.”
“Washington Crossing the Delaware, with James Monroe.”
“I’m standing on New Jersey soil near the spot where George Washington and his troops landed after crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776.”
“I had trouble standing on this monument in New Jersey because of the steep angle.”
MACLEAN HOUSE – Built in 1756 in Princeton, New Jersey, this two-story brick mansion was built solely for Princeton’s Presidents, including John Witherspoon, who lived in the house from 1768 to 1779during the time he served as a delegate in the Continental Congress when he signed the Declaration of Independence.
“General George Washington occupied Maclean House in January 1777, during the Battle of Princeton, and again in 1783 while Congress met in nearby Nassau Hall.”
“As I stood in the gardens located behind Maclean House, I got a look at the once-detached “Kitchen House” – its second floor was where enslaved people lived.”
ALEXANDER DOUGLASS HOUSE – This two-story home in Trenton, New Jersey was built around 1766, and was purchased in 1769 by an officer in the Continental Army named Alexander Douglass.
“General George Washington used the home as his headquarters prior to the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777.”
MORAVIAN SUN INN – Built in 1758 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania as a two-story stone building, numerous American patriots spent the night within its walls; including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
“Originally, the Sun Inn was two-stories high. However, in 1826, a third story was added.On September 22, 1777, fourteen members of the Continental Congress signed the register and stayed overnight at the Sun Inn.”
“Since a ‘Who’s Who’ of American history spent the night here, I listened closely to hear if the walls talked. They said, “Get off my porch, bobble head!”
WASHINGTON’S VALLEY FORGE HEADQUARTERS – Built around 1768 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, George Washington made the Isaac Potts house his headquarters from Christmas Eve 1777 to June 18, 1778.
“George and Martha Washington lived here while the General conducted army business in an office on the ground floor.The original builder and owner, Isaac Potts, was a Quaker who operated a nearby grist mill.”
“As I stood on the windowsill of this historic house, I envisioned General Washington as he approached the front steps with his wife Martha.”
“I also wondered if Washington’s office was behind this first-floor window.”
“I wanted to go inside that historic building during my visit on July 11, 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented that from happening.”
“A painting of General Washington during the winter at Valley Forge.”
MARY BALL WASHINGTON HOUSE – George Washington purchased this Fredericksburg home for his mother in 1772 for $275. Mary Washington lived in the house for the remainder of her life.
“Visiting Mary Washington at her house was a ‘Who’s Who’ of historical figures including John Marshall, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, Marquis de Lafayette, and members of the Lee family.George Washington was a frequent visitor to his mother’s house. In April 1789, he came to the home to receive her blessing before his first inauguration as President.”
YORKTOWN VICTORY MONUMENT – Completed in 1884, this monument was erected in Yorktown, Virginia to commemorate General Washington’s victory over the British during the Revolutionary War. “Even though the Yorktown Victory Monument wasn’t erected on the site where the British had surrendered, it was still cool to see the 95-foot-tall monument.”
“I’m standing in the weeds that was once the location of General Washington’s headquarters in Yorktown.”
“This is what General Washington’s Yorktown headquarters looked like.”
“Washington established his headquarters here because it was at the junction of the American encampment to the east and the French encampment to the north.”
“I’m standing next to Washington’s portable writing case. It had compartments for paper, pens, ink, and sealing wax. The General used this case during the Revolutionary War.”
“Now I’m standing next to General Washington’s camp bed and chest from the Continental Army; most likely used between 1775 and 1780.”
“Even though Washington’s equipment was behind glass, it was still cool to stand very close to artifacts that were once used by the General.”
“This was one of Washington’s headquarter tents; likely used in Yorktown during the final stages of the Revolutionary War.”
“This was the approximate location where the Revolutionary War ended on October 19, 1781.Lord Cornwallis did not attend the surrender ceremony; instead, he had Charles O’Hara surrender his sword to General Washington’s second-in-command Benjamin Lincoln.”
“The Surrender at Yorktownand the war is over.”
MARYLAND STATE HOUSE – Located in Annapolis, Maryland and built in 1772, the Maryland State House was where General George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783.
“The Maryland State House behind me boasts the largest wooden dome in the United States that was constructed without the use of nails.At nearly 250 years and counting, the Maryland State House is the oldest U.S. state capitol in continuous legislative use.The room behind the windows to my left is where the Old Senate Chamber was located. It was within those walls where history was made in 1783.”
“This life-sized bronze statue of George Washington was put in place at the spot where the General gave his resignation speech on December 23, 1783.”
“General Washington as he presented his resignation letter to the Continental Congress.”
“From this spot, George Washington read his resignation letter to the President of the Continental Congress Thomas Mifflin. When he was finished, Washington was a private citizen.”
“George Washington stood 6’ 2” tall and I’m only eight inches tall. But on that day, both of us stood larger than life in the Old Senate Chamber.”
“I found this letter on display in the Rotunda of the State House just outside of the Old Senate Chamber. It’s Washington’s resignation letter written in his own hand.”
INDEPENDENCE HALL – Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and originally known as the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall was the site where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were adopted and signed.
“George Washington arrived at Independence Hall on May 9, 1787 to attend the Constitutional Convention. Benjamin Franklin nominated Washington and he was elected unanimously to serve as president general of the convention.On May 14, 1787, George Washington was unanimously elected by the delegates as the President of the Constitutional Convention.”
“As the President General, George Washington was the first to sign the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.”
“I’m standing in the Assembly Room inside Independence Hall where the Continental Congress adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.”
“During the Constitutional Convention, George Washington sat in the ‘Rising Sun Chair’ when the U.S. Constitution was adopted and signed.Benjamin Franklin said after the Constitution was passed: “I have often looked at that behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now I know that it is a rising sun.”
“George Washington watches as the delegates sign the U.S. Constitution.”
“It was an honor for me to stand close to one of the most historically significant artifacts in the world – the original Syng inkstand from Independence Hall.This inkstand was used during the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the signing of the United States Constitution.”
“In one breathtaking view, I saw Independence Hall where George Washington presided as President over the Constitutional Convention; and in the distance, I saw Congress Hall where Washington was inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States.”
CHRIST CHURCH – Originally built in Philadelphia between 1727 and 1744, the episcopal church’s congregation included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Betsy Ross and numerous Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
“The 196-foot-tall steeple of Christ Church was the tallest structure in what is now the United States from 1754 to 1810.”
“During my short time inside Christ Church, I couldn’t help but think about the historic members of the congregation who once worshipped within those walls.”
FEDERAL HALL – The original Federal Hall was built in 1700 as New York City Hall; then it became the first U.S. Capitol Building. It was here, on April 30, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States.
“I, George Washington, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
“Washington took the Oath of Office on the building’s balcony in front of a throng of people in the street.This statue of Washington, which was added in 1882, marked the approximate location where the first Presidential inauguration took place.”
“After the Oath of Office was recited, Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston shouted out “Long live George Washington – President of the United States”.
“This large stone slab was part of the original balcony floor of Federal Hall where Washington stood as he took the first Oath of Office.”
“I’m standing on the original railing that surrounded the Federal Hall balcony when Washington was sworn-in as our first President.”
ALEXANDER MACOMB HOUSE SITE – Built in 1788, the Alexander Macomb House became the second Presidential residence of George Washington. The new President occupied the house from February 23rd to August 30, 1790.
“This pen and ink drawing depicts the Alexander Macomb house.”
“The original four-story Alexander Macomb House was demolished in 1940.When Washington vacated this house for good on August 30, 1790, he went back to Mount Vernon. George did make one stop in the new capital city of Philadelphia, however, to examine the President’s House that would soon become his next official residence.”
“I’m standing on the Presidential writing desk of George Washington – used while he resided in New York City.”
THE PRESIDENT’S HOUSE SITE – Built in Philadelphia in 1767, this three-story house was used or owned by Benedict Arnold and Robert Morris before it became the third Presidential mansion in history. The mansion was gutted in 1832 and totally demolished in 1951.
“I found this drawing which shows what the President’s House in Philadelphia looked like.”
“When the Capital of the United States was moved from New York City to Philadelphia, President George Washington resided in the President’s House, which was located close to Independence Hall.Washington moved into the President’s House on November 27, 1790, and lived there until he left office on March 10, 1797. Washington had the bow windows, located behind me, installed when he arrived.”
“I found it ironic that the President’s House site stood in the shadow of Independence Hall as it told the story of freedom and enslavement in one home. When Washington resided in the mansion, nine enslaved people lived and worked there as well.”
“During his time living in the home, President Washington had designed the bow windows and oval-shaped room behind me, which he used to receive guests. Could that same design have led to the shape of the Blue Room in the White House?”
CONGRESS HALL – Located in Philadelphia just west of Independence Hall, Congress Hall was the site of President George Washington’s second inauguration on March 4, 1793. Congress Hall served as the seat of the United States Congress from December 6, 1790 to May 14, 1800 when the Capitol moved to Washington.
“The scene outside of Congress Hall during the second inauguration of President Washington.”
“When President Washington took the Oath of Office during his second inauguration on March 4, 1793, the ceremony was conducted in the second-floor Senate Chamber.Twenty-nine of the 32 desk chairs in the room were original to the historic building.”
“Washington’s inaugural address followed, which at 135 words in length, holds the record for being the shortest in American history.”
“Due to renovations over the years, I’m standing on the spot where historians believe Washington took the Oath of Office in 1793.”
“The balcony behind me was where George Washington spoke to the public when he bid farewell to the Presidency on March 4, 1797.”
MARTHA WASHINGTON – At first, Martha was not fully supportive of her husband’s agreeing to be President of the newly formed United States. The term ‘First Lady’ wasn’t in use yet – instead, Martha was referred to as “Lady Washington”. During her husband’s eight years in office, Martha found the pageantry of the Presidency to be boring and artificial.
GERMANTOWN WHITE HOUSE – Built in 1752 in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by David Deshler, the house was once known as the Deshler-Morris House and is the oldest surviving Presidential residence.
“During the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, President George Washington needed to vacate the city of Philadelphia – he moved six miles outside of town to this house.Needing the “pure and healthy air” of the rural village, Washington lived in this house from November 16th to the 30th in 1793. The move worked; more than 4,000 Philadelphians died as the disease ravaged the Nation’s Capital. Thankfully our first President wasn’t one of them.”
“While residing behind these walls in 1794, Washington met four times with members of his Cabinet – Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Attorney General Edmund Randolph, and Secretary of War Henry Knox.Washington loved the Germantown area and returned to this home for a vacation in September and October 1794. It may have been the first Summer White House!”
“When George and Martha Washington resided in this house for two months in 1794, their grandchildren Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis stayed there as well. But they weren’t alone as four of Washington’s enslaved people lived and worked there as well. Those four were Oney Judge, her brother Austin, along with Moll, and Hercules Posey – they should never be forgotten, nor their memories brushed under the rug.”
GADSBY’S TAVERN – Built in 1785 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, George Washington was a frequent visitor to the tavern and twice attended the Birthnight Ball held in his honor. Other prominent customers of the tavern included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.
“Washington was one of the best dancers around and I bet he loved to cut a rug at the Gadsby!”
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S TEETH – Upon his inauguration as President in 1789, Washington had one of his own teeth to work alongside his dentures. Those dentures were not made of wood, but were instead fashioned from animal and human teeth, along with ivory and lead. A full set of Washington’s dentures were on display in the museum at Mount Vernon.
“A set of choppers even Crest White Strips couldn’t help.”
“I got my first glimpse of Washington’s dentures on May 15, 2019 and quite frankly, they scared me. I couldn’t image that metal contraption in someone’s mouth.”
“As this photo was taken of me posing with the teeth, I slipped and crashed to the floor. I suffered a broken neck, a broken left ankle and broken right thigh. I thought my career was over!”
“I survived the first incident and returned to the scene of the crime on May 17, 2022.”
MOUNT VERNON – Built in 1734 by Augustine Washington, Mount Vernon became the home of George Washington. George came into possession of the estate in 1752 but did not become its sole owner until 1761.
“Originally named Little Hunting Creek Plantation, George’s half-brother Lawrence renamed it Mount Vernon after his commanding officer Vice Admiral Edward Vernon.”
“The last time I was at Mount Vernon, which was May 15, 2019, the West Front, where I’m standing, was being renovated. On this visit, which was May 17, 2022, the East Front was covered with scaffolding.Let’s take a look inside, shall we?”
“Once inside the mansion, the first room I saw was what Washington called his “New Room”. It was the last addition to the home and featured the grandest space in the house.”
“The three vases on the ‘New Room’ fireplace mantel were presented to George Washington in 1786 by English merchant Samuel Vaughan. As a matter of fact, the Italian marble mantelpiece had arrived at Mount Vernon the previous year as a gift from Vaughan.”
“The 14-foot-high Palladian windows to the right were part of Washington’s 1787 second wave of renovations. The tall windows not only helped illuminate the ‘New Room’, but they also gave visitors a grand view of the Potomac River.”
“The ornate fireplace mantel in Mount Vernon’s dining room was created by William Bernard Sears in 1775.”
“I’m standing in the Front Parlor at Mount Vernon. Before the ‘New Room’ was added, the Front Parlor was “the best place in my house”, according to General Washington.”
“The portrait of Colonel Washington was painted by artist Charles Willson Peale in 1772 at Mount Vernon and was the first known likeness of George ever created.”
“George Washington added the black walnut staircase to the Central Passage in 1758. When George brought Martha to Mount Vernon after their wedding, he requested “the staircase ought also to be polished in order to make it look well.”I thought it was incredible to stand on the same spot where George Washington’s hands once touched.”
“This was the bedchamber of George and Martha Washington. Our first President died in that bed on December 14, 1799 at the age of 67. The couple had always referred to this room as “Mrs. Washington’s chamber”.
“These portraits of George and Martha Washington were painted by John Trumbull in 1793. The Washington’s hung them in their bedroom.”
“The large white chair was used by Martha Washington from 9am to 10am daily when she meditated, read, or prayed in the bedchamber.”
“I’m standing in George Washington’s study, which became his retreat from ever-present family and friends at Mount Vernon. No one was allowed in this room without George’s invitation.The chair beside me was George Washington’s “uncommon chair” that he used as his official office chair throughout his Presidency. It featured a roller mechanism beneath the seat, which allowed the chair to swivel.”
“This was Washington’s original “Uncommon Chair”, which was made in 1790. George used this chair throughout his Presidency and brought it back to Mount Vernon upon his retirement.”
“The study was located on the first floor directly below the Washington’s bedchamber. George kept his clothes and shaving kit behind the door to my left and he would get ready for the day in that small, private closet.”
“The wooden trunk next to my feet featured Washington’s nameplate and was used by the General in 1783 to transport his papers and other valuables back to Mount Vernon after the Revolutionary War.”
“The kitchen, which was situated in a separate outbuilding near the mansion, was where hired servants and Martha’s enslaved workers prepared the daily meals at Mount Vernon.”
“In the distance behind me, near the West Front of Mount Vernon, was an outbuilding known as ‘Servant’s Hall’ that Washington had added in 1775.”
“The South Lane at Mount Vernon featured numerous outbuildings, including the Washington’s smokehouse, storeroom, laundry, and the infamous dung repository.”
“During my visit to Mount Vernon on May 15, 2019, I spent some time on the beautiful East Front porch of the mansion. That year, the West Front was being renovated.”
“George and Martha Washington greet Marquis de Lafayette at Mount Vernon.”
“When George married the wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis in January 1759, they resided at Mount Vernon, and soon became America’s first “power couple”!
“Washington was at his beloved Mount Vernon estate when George received word he was elected as the first President over John Adams.”
“With a view of the Potomac River Washington had from his East Front porch, no wonder he struggled to leave for New York.”
“The magnificent view of the Potomac River was not necessarily a natural occurrence. George Washington graded the East Lawn, managed the height of the trees, and maintained the lawn to more fully show the river.”
“On Thursday December 12, 1799, Washington inspected his farms on horseback in snow and sleet. The next day he woke with a sore throat but went out again in freezing cold weather to mark trees for cutting.”
THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON – Suffering from a throat infection known as quinsy, George Washington died in his Mount Vernon bedroom around 10pm on Saturday, December 14, 1799 at the age of 67. His wife Martha was at the foot of his bed.
“I’m standing in George Washington’s bed chamber alongside the bed in which the first President died. Suddenly, I thought I heard the General whisper his final words: “’Tis well.”
“This red easy chair, next to where I’m standing, was once located near George Washington’s bed. The General sat in that chair not long before he died.”
“I love standing on historic chairs and this yellow poplar and red maple Windsor armchair was at Washington’s bedside when he died.”
THE OLD TOMB – Located several hundred yards south of the mansion, the “Old Tomb” was where George and Martha Washington were first laid to rest following their deaths. Their bodies remained in that tomb until 1831 when the new tomb was constructed.
“Four days after his death, George Washington’s body was placed in this tomb at Mount Vernon where other members of his family were entombed. Those family members included George’s older half-brother Lawrence and Martha’s daughter Martha (Patsy) Parke Custis.I was thrilled the wooden door behind me was locked. Had it been open, I’m sure I would’ve been forced to go inside where the bodies of 22 Washington family members were laid to rest following their deaths.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S TOMB – Located south of the mansion and only a short distance from the original tomb, the “New Tomb” was where George and Martha Washington were reinterred in 1831.
“In 1831, George Washington’s body was moved to the newly constructed brick tomb the General had made provisions in his will to have built.This was as close as I could get to the General’s sarcophagus; even though the iron gates of the tomb were open.Martha’s remains were entombed in the sarcophagus behind me.”
“I tried to stand on Washington’s sarcophagus during my first visit on July 20, 2014, but the obnoxious woman watching over the tomb said, “absolutely not” and had the audacity to say that I was “irreverent.”
“For a few minutes on May 17, 2022, I had the tomb of George and Martha Washington to myself.Well, except for Bob Moldenhauer and my photographer, Thomas Watson.”
“One year, ten days after Tom and I started our quest, the tomb of George Washington became our 14th Presidential gravesite we had visited.”
“My first visit to Washington’s tomb came on July 20, 2014.”
“My second trip to Mount Vernon came on May 15, 2019.”
“My third and final visit to date happened on May 17, 2022.”
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT – Located at Capitol Square near Virginia’s State Capitol in Richmond, the equestrian statue of George Washington was intended to be his tomb.
“Completed in 1869, this monument was the site of the second inauguration of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis and Vice President Alexander Stevens.The Commonwealth of Virginia unsuccessfully tried to have George Washington’s remains moved to this monument. Today, George’s intended tomb remains empty.”
WASHINGTON MONUMENT – Built to commemorate our first President George Washington, this monument was constructed of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss. Completed in 1884, it is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk.
“The Washington Monument is surrounded by 50 American flags and is visible from nearly everywhere in our nation’s capital.”
“This 555-foot 5 1/8-inch-tall monument made me look short. Of course, I AM only eight inches tall!”
“I thought this image taken by my photographer was awesome. What do you think?”
“Seeing the Washington Monument illuminated at night was spectacular.”
“I’ve been to Washington D. C. four times, including when I posed near the Washington Monument for this image on May 18, 2022.”
MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL – Located near Keystone, South Dakota, this symbol of American freedom was created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers from October 4, 1927 to October 31, 1941.
“The 60-foot-tall, sculpted face of George Washington was dedicated on July 4, 1934.Washington was chosen by Borglum because of the birth of our nation under George’s leadership.”
“Do you see the airplane flying high above Washington’s head?”
“This was as close as I could get to the sculptures without getting arrested!”
GARY BEARD – Gary is a retired pastor who lives in Tustin, California. For the past forty-plus years, Gary has portrayed the ‘Father of our Country’ George Washington at various functions and activities – including at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.“I met Gary on August 5, 2018 at his house in Tustin.”
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
