Mt Vernon Slave Cabin

Posted on November 22, 2014 Updated on November 18, 2014

The media guide says that this is a replica of a slave’s cabin on Mt. Vernon estates.

“When he was 11, George Washington inherited 10 slaves from his father, and eventually owned as many as 316 during Mount Vernon’s peak of activity. Over a period of several years, Washington actually changed his mind about slavery, declaring in 1786 that he hoped a plan would be adopted by which “slavery in this country may be abolished by slow, sure and imperceptible degrees.” When Washington died in 1799, his will stated that all slaves under his ownership were to be freed. Of the 123 slaves from Mount Vernon who were freed after his death, a number of them were provided for while staying on the plantation.” from the website: http://www.mountvernon.org/