The grandiose manor in northern Virginia was Washington’s pride and joy. He put a great deal of work into Mount Vernon, expanding the original, modest 1.5-story house his father built, and incorporating elements of British architectural style. He also spent decades developing the gardens — including an exceptional vegetable garden to meet the estate’s needs, and even adding a greenhouse for exotic plants. Even when duty called him away for long periods of time, during the Revolutionary War and later his presidency, he wrote home often detailing his vision for renovations and landscaping.
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