Category Archives: Mount Air

The Snowden School on Fort Hunt Road: a School Built by a Community and a Community Built by a School

This is the third in a series of posts on the Snowden Family and their contributions to our community.  Previous articles can be found in the archives on the right hand side of the page. On the morning of Tuesday, … Continue reading

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Wisteria in the Mount Vernon Area: Devastatingly Beautiful

When George Washington purchased 3 wisteria plants for his Mount Vernon estate in March 1792, William Bartram delivered them with a detailed description that could be read as a friendly warning.  Bartram, a naturalist who inherited his father’s nursery, describes … Continue reading

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Lilacs: A Mount Vernon Area Favorite since 1732

The Custis and Washington Families both cultivated lilacs in their gardens.  John Custis (1678-1749), the father of Daniel Parke Custis (Martha Washington’s first husband), was an avid gardener.  Custis traded plants and corresponded with notable horticulturists of the time.  His … Continue reading

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