The DC Traveler

America’s first President, George Washington, was a whiskey maker. 
During the American Revolution, run was the alcohol drink of choice. Around 90% of the alcohol consumed by the American colonies was British rum, imported from the West Indies.
In the 1790s, whiskey was quickly becoming the alcohol of choice for Americans, moving rum from the number one spot, mostly due to a higher cost for the British impost and, partly from a sense of nationalistic pride (whiskey was made locally, using American grain).
As a result in the change of taste,  thousands of distilleries were built  by 1800, but most were small operations …read more

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The wharf at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia.

Images – from personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti
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One of most enjoyable things for many people to do on a beautiful spring evening is to listen to live music and enjoy a nice glass of wine while relaxing on a beautiful lawn.
And the annual Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Estate is once such event.
The gardens at Mt. Vernon will be in full bloom and the views of the Potomac River from the lawn, accompanied by live jazz, should make for a perfect evening of relaxation.
An evening Candlelit Mansion tour is also available and includes a visit to the rarely-visited basement cellar. The …read more

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Happy President’s Day from Washington, DC. With the primary in full swing, I thought I might review the roots of the first presidential election and the Learning Center at the home of George Washington.
In both the first and second election for President (1789 and 1792) after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, General George Washington received only 69 votes. But at that time, it was a landslide.
Since there was no popular vote for president by citizens at the time, only members of the elected electoral college cast votes, making Washington the only president to win 100 percent of …read more

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Well, if your name is John, Jim, Rich, Andy, George or Tom, you can get into Madame Tussauds in Washington D.C. for FREE any day during Presidents Day week.
Actually, free admission applies to anyone that has the same first name as any of the 43 presidents (a total of 27 different first names).
To celebrate President’s Day, you can pose for a photo with any of 13 presidents at Madame’s including George Washington, Tom Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, FDR, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, or either George Bush.  There’s also a waving Hillary Clinton wax figure in case you’re thinking…
2/16 …read more

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In 1880, George Washington birthday* (February 22nd), 81 years after his death, was first celebrated in Washington, DC. Five years later, federal offices began to observe the holiday and close offices.  In 1971, Washington’s birthday was officially recognized as a national holiday and was moved to the 3rd Monday in February.
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12th) was also celebrated, but was never a legal national holiday. 
Various observances and parades are planned for Presidents’ Day – February 19th.
George Washington’s Mt. Vernon
An official wreath laying ceremony will be held at Washington’s tomb at 10:00 a.m.  Immediately afterwards, a Revolutionary War mock battle, as …read more

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