Fort Hunt in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
George Washington, Farmer
Mount Vernon Trail
— George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Park Service —
Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, January 13, 2007
1. George Washington, Farmer Marker
One of the most progressive farmers of his day, George Washington believed America’s future depended on improvements in agriculture. From 1754-1799, he worked to improve his farming methods at Mount Vernon. Abandoning tobacco, which depleted the soil, Washington made wheat his major crop. He exchanged information through extensive correspondence with like-minded farmers around the country and abroad.
[Captions:]
Detail from Washington as a Farmer at Mount Vernon, Junius Brutus Stearns, 1851
Washington’s accomplishments included experimenting with approximately 60 different crops, introducing mules to farm labor in the United States, and testing crop rotation and fertilizers for soil improvement.
President Washington drew this 1793 map of his approximately 8,000 acres. About 200 slaves and others worked the farms. Each of the five farms had its own animals, equipment, buildings, living quarters, and woods for fences.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Animals
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Location. 38° 42.668′ N, 77° 4.382′ W. Marker is in Fort Hunt, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of George Washington Memorial Parkway (at milepost 1) and Stratford Lane, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in parking lot of Riverside Park which is across from Stratford Lane intersection with the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Marker is at the far end of the parking lot near the Mount Vernon Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22308, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Thirteen Adjacent Elms (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Hunting Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Park and Parkway (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (approx. 0.7 miles away); Origin of the Purple Heart Trail (approx. 0.7 miles away).
Also see . . .
Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, January 13, 2007
2. Map of George Washington's Farms
Click on image to enlarge.
1. George Washington--Farming. (Submitted on January 21, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)
2. Historic Mount Vernon. (Submitted on January 21, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 3, 2015
3. George Washington, Farmer Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,919 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 3. submitted on October 13, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
