Last Saturday Mount Vernon hosted a reenactment of the American Revolution, A Call to Arms, which allowed my daughter and I to dress in “most appropriate attire”.
Although I had intended to wear my simplest outfit for more of a reenactment look, my daughter said she wanted to wear the pink English back gown I had sewn for her a year ago.
Since she hasn’t yet had a chance to wear it, and she had no idea when she’d have another chance since she’s busy with college, she wanted to wear it to Mount Vernon.
In that case, I thought it would be fun to wear my companion gown, same style and fabric but in yellow.
FIRST OVAL OFFICE
As we arrived to the Bowling Green in front of Mount Vernon, we saw George Washington’s marquee tent, dubbed The First Oval Office by the Colonial Williamsburg tailors who sewed it.
This tent served as Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution, easily moving with him from camp to camp.
Although I’ve watched the sewing of the tent numerous times, and toured the inside of the tent twice, all at Colonial Williamsburg, this was a new experience!
Here at Mount Vernon, I toured it as outfitted with the furniture and baggage recreated by other Colonial Williamsburg trades, from carpentry, to leatherworker, to blacksmith.
A CALL TO ARMS AMERICAN REVOLUTION REENACTMENT
After touring the marquee tent, we walked below the Bowling Green to view the reenactment.
Some of the tents at the reenactment were of Suttlers offering their wares.
At K. Walters at the Sign of the Golden Horse, I met the lady who now cares for Nelson, the white horse from Colonial Williamsburg, that was often rode by the interpreters portraying Lafayette and George Washington.
From her I purchased some historical jewelry she had made.
The proceeds of her sales enable her to tend horses in their retirement.
Then I took some queries to the Burnley and Trowbridge tent, where I spied a lovely yellow buttercream wool I considered for a riding habit.
BECOMING 18TH CENTURY
Taking advantage of the blue skies and blue waters amid the historic backdrop of one of my patriotic heroes, we took lots of pictures.
Washington’s gardens are gorgeous!
18th century seating perfectly placed in the 18th century gardens…
Since we were not dressed for a reenactment, I imagined ourselves as invited guests of General and Lady Washington to their grand estate after the war.
The day could not have been more perfect.
Wonderfully, the day was neither too hot nor too cold.
At the Old Tomb…
Spring blossoms abounded!
Love the architecture!
Of course, we needed a photo with the nod to the French-American Alliance boxwood parterre.
