As I see thousands of guests each summer, I cannot help but think about how pleased George Washington would be to see his fellow citizens of the world visiting his home, exploring the estate, and learning—firsthand—about America’s founding.

My friend, George Washington’s Mount Vernon is not a government-funded historic site. We depend on patriotic citizens, like you, to keep Washington’s home and legacy preserved.

This is why our Annual Summer Fund is so critical. Now at peak visitation, your gifts are put right to work helping us to:

• Revitalize the Mansion through the landmark Mansion Revitalization Project, which will safeguard the Mansion’s original building fabric and ensure its structural integrity for generations to come.
• Educate and inspire people around the country and the world about the life and legacy of George Washington through his cherished home and estate.
• Restore historic structures that bring 18th-century America to life, like the recent restoration of the wash house, which used techniques from 18th-century carpenters to strengthen its building frame.
• And so much more.

As I look at the smiling faces of visitors and the wide eyes of children learning about our country’s first president like they can nowhere else in the world, I am humbled by the great honor and responsibility we have as citizens and as caretakers of this historic treasure.

Please consider donating to our Annual Summer Fund today. Together, our generation can preserve Mount Vernon so it is strong enough to welcome, teach, and inspire visitors for centuries.

Thank you for your support.