Gunston Hall
The house itself is reached by a long oak lined drive, the perfect way to guide the eye and produce a wonderful shade as carriages approached the house. Our visit started with a video describing the under-appreciated role George Mason played in the governance of Virginia and the formation of the fledgling national government. The house is in pristine condition, and offers a vivid picture of the separate public and private spaces the family enjoyed. The many rooms tucked under the eaves upstairs are a real treat.
Overlooking the Potomac
Gunston Hall, like many Virginia plantations, made it’s money by shipping tobacco and other good back to Great Britain for sale. The plantation was located right on the Potomac river, allowing easy access for loading ocean going vessels arriving from or going to overseas ports. This was a rather cold and dreary day, and we declined to take the 3/4 mile walk down to the wharf.
