That's very heartening, Ed--thanks for this posting.

One question: did you feel that non-history-enthusiast visitors may
find the house and grounds themselves rather boring after the
excitement of the visitors' center?  That's one of the risks of this
sort of approach, it seems to me, and I'd be interested in your
thoughts.

But I'm also encouraged enough by your impressions to go have a look
for myself, which I'll now plan to do soon.  Thanks again.

--Jurretta


On Jan 5, 2007, at 7:48 PM, Edward James Redmond wrote:

> Juretta and others:
>
> I am very impressed with the new facilities at Mt. Vernon.
>
> Like many, I assume, I was a bit wary of the action hero/electronic
> wizardry approach but after sspending several hours touring the
> facilities and current installations I am  quite impressed.
> The fake snow in the theatre and some scenes in the movies may be bit
> overly dramatic but anyone who is visiting Mt. Vernon for the first
> time will be very impressed.
>
> The galleries are a bit like those at Gunston Hall and Wolstenholme
> and the movies can easily be compared to those at the GW Birthplace
> and the initial visitor center at Carter's Grove/Wolstenholme.
> Incidentally, the latter movie is one of the best visitor center
> movies I have ever seen - well worth the visit.
>
> Those who subscribe to this list are clearly interested in Virginia
> and colonial history. But the new facilities at Mt. Vernon will
> introduce GW to the bus loads of students and tourists who may know
> nothing about GW or Mt. Vernon while allowing those of us who are
> interested in more than the gift shop much needed elbow room to view
> many interesting artifacts from the MVLA collections.
>
> Ed
>
>
> Ed Redmond
> Geography & Map Reference Specialist
> Geography and Map Division
> Library of Congress
> 101 Independence Ave, SE
> Washington, DC 20540-4651
> (202) 707-8548
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -------------------------------------------
> The views expressed in this message are solely mine
> and do not neccessarily represent those of the Library of Congress.
>
>
>>>> [log in to unmask] 01/05/07 6:16 PM >>>
> I haven't quite mustered the fortitude to visit Mount Vernon since it
> opened its new visitors' center, complete with electronic wizardry and
> wax models designed to portray the young, virile George Washington as
> action hero.  Okay, so maybe I shouldn't be such a scholarly snob.
>
> Has anyone on the list visited Mount Vernon since the new features were
> unveiled this fall?  If so, what did you think?
>
> --Jurretta J. Heckscher

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