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

Washington's Vehicles

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

1. Washington's Vehicles Marker

Inscription. George Washington had several horse-drawn vehicles. Slaves, including Joe, a driver, and Jack, a wagoner, took care of the Mount Vernon vehicles. Travel during the 18th century was difficult. Poorly maintained roads meant that even short journeys were hazardous and that vehicles wore out quickly. Coach houses accommodated the variety of vehicles which Washington used for travel, including a small coach similar to the one you see here. Both this example and Washington’s coach were made by well-known Philadelphia carriage makers David and Francis Clark.

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

Location. 38° 42.454′ N, 77° 5.221′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235) and Mount Vernon Memorial Parkway. This marker is on the grounds at Mount Vernon, at the Carriage House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Powel Coach (a few steps from this marker); Dung Repository (a few steps from this marker); Espaliers and Cordons

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Ha-ha Walls (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower (Kitchen) Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Fence and Ditch (within shouting distance of this marker); Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

More about this marker. This marker replaces the “Powel Coach” marker, HMdB #93618, at this location.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

2. Washington's Vehicles Marker

The Powel Coach image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

3. The Powel Coach

The Crest of Samuel Powel<br>Mayor of Philadelphia<br>on the Powel Coach image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

4. The Crest of Samuel Powel
Mayor of Philadelphia
on the Powel Coach

Per fess Argent and Or; a lion rampant Gules

Internet Archive

5. The Powel Coach

This photo, which appeared in Mary Stevens Beall’s The story of the Washington coachee and of the Powel coach which is now at Mount Vernon in 1908, shows the Powel coach as it was displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. The sign reads “Genl Washington’s Carriage Nearly 100 Years Old.” As Mrs. Beall showed, the Powel coach was never owned by George Washington.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 17, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.