Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Riding Chair

Photographed by Thomas Smith, February 27, 2023

1. Riding Chair Marker

Inscription. As a young man, George Washington acquired a riding chair similar to the 18th century example you see here (alongside a modern reproduction). Popular in America and England, riding chairs could travel country lanes and back roads more easily than bulkier four-wheeled chariots and coaches. Riding chairs were relatively inexpensive in comparison with other wheeled vehicles, and the form was used by members of all social classes as an easy way to travel the rough Virginia terrain.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 38° 42.481′ N, 77° 5.175′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway and George Washington Memorial Highway. On the grounds of George Washington's Mount Vernon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

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and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker); Gardener's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Necessary (within shouting distance of this marker); Wood That Looks Like Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Exciting Discoveries (within shouting distance of this marker); Botanical Garden (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . . George Washington's Mount Vernon.

Riding Chair image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 31, 2010

2. Riding Chair

Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (Submitted on March 3, 2023.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2023, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 1,325 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 2, 2023, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 2. submitted on March 3, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?