'Blockbuster discovery' unearthed at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate
SUMMARY
Archaeologists at George Washington’s Mount Vernon have unearthed a remarkable find in the form of 35 glass jars filled with fruit preserves, believed to have been buried since before the American Revolution. Doug Bradburn, President & CEO of Mount Vernon, hailed the discovery as unprecedented, noting the bottles' pristine condition and potential significance for understanding 18th-century plantation foodways. The preserves, which include cherries, gooseberries, and currants, were likely used to refrigerate food in the Virginia heat. This find, occurring just before the United States' 250th anniversary in 2026, promises insights into early American culinary practices and the historic estate's environment.
