The importance of historical sites in educational tourism cannot be overstated. Among these, George Washington’s Mount Vernon stands as a pillar of American history, offering unique insights into the life and legacy of one of the nation’s founding fathers.

In a move that combines preservation and progress, the iconic estate is set to undergo a comprehensive renovation. The renovation will start in July 2024 and be completed by November 2025. It will include a temporary closure of the mansion and the Educational Center and Museum. 

The museum has completed many restoration projects in the past, such as the front parlor, the traditional roof, and the North Garden House. For a fun exercise with students, look at the restoration quiz on the museum’s website.

How does this impact student trips to Washington, DC? 

All inclusive educational student trips to Mount Vernon in Washington, DC

While the iconic estate’s sprawling grounds will remain open to the public and be available for educational student tours, we highly recommend that teachers leading student trips to the Washington, DC area stay in contact with their NationsClassroom Account Manager. As with any renovation or building project, timelines and projects are subject to change. 

We anticipate a great Spring of 2024 student tour season with everything at Mt. Vernon open for student tours. We are cautiously optimistic that the Reynolds Education Center will be open for the Spring of 2025, and the amazing renovation will be complete in October or November of 2025. 

If you’re looking for something to combine with or replace a trip to Mount Vernon while on your Washington, DC school tour, consider the highly interactive and engaging Museum of the United States Army, which is only 10 minutes away and has been a favorite of our educators who lead school trips to DC. 

And, for more information on our all-inclusive student trips to Washington, DC, take a look at our 4-day, 3-night tour that includes visits to Capitol Hill, Arlington National Cemetery, and of course, Mount Vernon.

Nations Classroom