In conjunction with the opening of the movie, “Night at the Museum 2″ set in Washington’s Smithsonian museum, Mount Vernon is opening its door for an unprecedented evening experience in George Washington’s home.
The only other time the Mansion is open in the evening is during the Christmas season. However during those holidays, the museum is shuttered in the evening. This will be the first time that the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center will be a dramatic participant in an evening event.
The evening begins with Martha Washington greeting visitors in the garden and the Mansion staff will provide commentary about the Mansion’s history and furnishings. Then the action shifts to the museum.
The “museum” portion is a traditional display of artifacts associated with life at Mount Vernon, the Revolutionary War and the presidency. But on these special evenings, the Mount Vernon museum exhibitions will come to life, just like in the movies. Mayhem will break out as Washington’s servants, soldiers and friends unfreeze and come to life, and around every corner … well, you’ll have to come to find out.
Even without the Night at the Museum effects of characters coming to life, these exhibitions, open every day, are exceptional. Early-morning fog rolls across the theater screen, your seats shake as cannons roar and actual snow falls as the Washington leads the Continental Army across the Delaware on Christmas Eve sending shivers down your spine.
Adding to the museum mystery, the exhibitions are actually underground beneath the grassy field seen through the Ford Orientation Center’s sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows visited as guests pick up tickets and assemble.
Anyone within striking distance of Mount Vernon, will enjoy the unique adventures as a Night at Mount Vernon brings much of Washington’s activities and many of his associates back to life as they awaken from their hundreds-of-years of slumbering to entertain visitors.
The Mount Vernon estate’s “Night at Mount Vernon” exhibit will be open over Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24, and the following weekend, May 29-31, from 6–8:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for youth ages 6-11 (the same as the daytime admission).
This event is not included in daytime admission to Mount Vernon; a separate event ticket is required. Advance ticket purchase is available online at www.MountVernon.org/onlinetickets and in person at the Ford Orientation Center. Tickets may also be purchased in person on May 22-24 and 29-31 at the Ford Orientation Center until 8:00 p.m.
The last character tour takes place at 8:30 p.m.
For more information go to Visit.MountVernon.org or call 703-780-2000.
Normal summer hours (April-August) for the Mount Vernon Mansion and the plantation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children under age 5 are admitted free.
