Cherry blossoms aren't the only Washington area early spring event. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens began its summer schedule on April 1, making it one of the first to welcome visitors to the region.
This year tourists will gain an extra hour to visit the first president's estate. Opening at 8 a.m. affords a full nine hours, until 5 p.m., to view the myriad attractions, enjoy a leisurely meal, and do some serious, or frivolous, shopping in the gift area.
And the wonders of the experience are not limited to out-of-town tourists. "I have lived in the Alexandria area all my life but until you see the Estate from the river you don't fully appreciate its grandeur. It gives you a whole different perspective," said Emily Coleman, assistant director of marketing, Mount Vernon.
"Once again this year we are offering our sightseeing cruises. They are really worthwhile. They not only give a special perspective of Mount Vernon but also of the entire area including Old Town," she said.
Each cruise offers a 30 minute narrated excursion aboard the Potomac Spirit or Miss Christin Tuesday through Sunday. Departures are at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Price is $8 for adults and $4 for children.
APRIL 1 ALSO marked the season opening of the George Washington Farm and Gristmill with a special tribute at the tomb of George and Martha Washington. These are combined with Mansion and special walking tours explaining slave life on the Estate and educational elements of the gardens and landscape designs.
Special tours of Mount Vernon's carefully constructed gardens and a plant sale featuring garden implements, flowers, and heirloom seeds from Washington's gardens will be held during the annual Gardening Days at the Estate from April 17 through May 2. They are held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each of those days.
"This is a chance for visitors to take home samples and seeds from the Estate gardens and actually grow some of Mount Vernon at their own homes," said Daniel Foggett, manager of special event. "It's living history."
At the annual tented Plant, Gift and Garden Sale in the Upper Garden, visitors may acquire cutting from Mount Vernon boxwood as well as flowers, plants, herbs and seeds from the Estate's operating greenhouse. Included in the wide variety of both annuals and perennials for sale are foxglove, begonias, impatiens, tomato plants, and heirloom seeds cultivated using 18th century techniques, according to Foggett.
"Throughout Gardening Days, the "orangerie," our historic greenhouse, will contain a special horticultural exhibit featuring the historic culinary and medicinal uses for herbs and plants," Froggett explained.
GARDENING DAYS also features the Garden and Landscape guided walking tours which focus on Washington's innovative landscape design. These include visits to both the Upper Garden, or formal flower garden, the Lower Garden, or kitchen garden, and the historic greenhouse. Thirty minute tours are lead by Mount Vernon interpreters commencing at the Mansion Circle at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
For a more educational experience, a guest herbalist will be located near the Upper Garden on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings to answer questions and discuss making teas, tisanes and balms. On Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. visitor can learn about the everyday use of plants at Washington's home. Demonstrations using herbs and resources from Estate gardens will be presented.
Visitors to the Pioneer Farm can crack corn, build a fence, hoe the fields, harvest crops, learn about animals and tour the re-created 16-sided barn designed by Washington. Mount Vernon horses are featured during wheat treading demonstrations on July 4 through October.
Washington's recently stored Gristmill allows visitors to see an 18th century water-powered mill in operation. Colonial garbed millers explain Washington's innovative approach to farming as they grind wheat into flour just as it was done more than two centuries ago. Located three miles from the Estate on Route 235, the Gristmill is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.
Regular admission rates for 2004 are: Adults $11; Senior Citizens, $10.50; Children age 6 -11, when accompanied by an adult, $5; Children under five, free.