Ancient fruit preserves discovered in George Washington's Mount Vernon estate cellar
- Archaeologists found dozens of well-preserved glass bottles in George Washington's Mount Vernon estate cellar.
- The bottles contained fruit preserves dating back over 200 years to the pre-Revolutionary War era.
- This discovery sheds light on the culinary history of the 18th-century era, revealing George Washington's tastes.
Archaeologists at George Washington’s Mount Vernon have discovered dozens of glass jars filled with fruit preserves in the cellar of the historic Northern Virginia home that "likely haven't seen the light of day since before the American Revolution." Twenty-nine of the 35 bottles remain intact, and all contain either cherries, gooseberries or currants. The discovery is significant as it provides a glimpse into the origins of the nation. The bottles were likely buried sometime between 1758 and 1776, showcasing the knowledge and skill of the enslaved people who managed food preparations at Mount Vernon. The artifacts will undergo scientific analysis in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. This discovery comes as part of a $40 million Mansion Revitalization Project at Mount Vernon, with more exciting revelations expected as the analysis progresses.