United States

George Washington's Gristmill

18th‑century plantation gristmill and distillery, United States

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

George Washington's Gristmill was part of the original Mount Vernon plantation, constructed during the lifetime of the United States' first president. The original structure was destroyed about 1850. The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association have reconstructed the gristmill and the adjacent distillery. The reconstructed buildings are located at their original site three miles (4.8 km) west of the Mount Vernon mansion near Woodlawn Plantation in the Mont Vernon area of Fairfax County. Because the reconstructed buildings embody the distinctive characteristics of late eighteenth century methods of production and are of importance to the history of Virginia, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places despite the fact that the buildings are not original.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Washington inherits Mount Vernon

1754

Gristmill constructed

1771

Mill automation

1791

Distillery completed

1797

Washington dies; distillery production noted

1799

Site rented and last ad

1808

Distillery burned

1814

Property sold by family

1848

Original mill razed

c. 1850

State purchases site

1932

Gristmill and miller's house reconstructed

1933

State resumes care

1962

Major renovation of main structures

1997-2002

Property conveyed to Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

1997

Distillery archaeology begins

1999

National Register listing

2003

Distillery reconstruction completed and opened

2007

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Storage Structures

Containers
category

Animal Husbandry Features

Animal Pens
category

Water Management Features

Irrigation CanalsDams
category

Industrial and Craft Structures

Workshops
category

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Cattle Pens
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Houses
category

Food Production and Processing Features

Fermentation VesselsBreweries
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

Quays
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

United States

Coordinates

38.71° N, -77.13° E