George Washington and a Nation of Farmers

Jun 27, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027

Developed by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in partnership with the Oak Spring Garden Foundation for the American Semiquincentennial, this richly illustrated panel exhibition presents a focused look at George Washington’s visionary understanding of the role of agricultural innovation in the development of the early United States.

The panels include stunning color illustrations, both historic and modern, alongside text from curator Dr. Bruce Ragsdale, author of George Washington at the Plow. They tell the compelling tale of Washington’s creative management of the crops, fields, livestock, and natural resources that shaped the sporting world and sportsmen of early America.

Visitors to this exhibition in the Library's Main Reading Room are invited to explore how land management, animal husbandry, and agricultural improvement during George Washington’s lifetime impacted and informed all aspects of field sports as we know them today.

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