MOUNT VERNON, Va. — It's a story that's 250 years in the making. Archaeologists just discovered not one but two intact jars of cherries in George Washington's home in Mount Vernon.
The discovery was made during a revitalization project at the mansion. The dark green glass bottles were found upright and sealed, each containing liquid. The bottle shapes are characteristic of styles from the 1740s and 1750s and were recovered from a pit where they may have been forgotten and eventually buried beneath a brick floor laid in the 1770s, officials said.
After the bottles were unearthed, each was carefully removed and transported to the Mount Vernon archaeology lab. Upon consultation with archaeological conservators, it was determined that removing the liquid contents would help stabilize the glass, which had not been directly exposed to the atmosphere for approximately two centuries. Cherries, including stems and pits, were preserved within the liquid contents, which still bore the characteristic scent of cherry blossoms familiar to residents of the region during the spring season.
"This incredible discovery at Mount Vernon is a significant archaeological find. Not only did we recover intact, sealed bottles, but they contained organic material that can provide us with valuable insight and perspective into 18th-century lives at Mount Vernon. These bottles have the potential to enrich the historic narrative, and we're excited to have the contents analyzed so we can share this discovery with fellow researchers and the visiting public," said Mount Vernon Principal Archaeologist Jason Boroughs.
Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States.
The Mansion Revitalization Project is currently underway and expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.
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