Explore Washington’s Gristmill and Distillery Buildings
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Explore George Washington’s enterprising Distillery and Gristmill ® on the extended Mount Vernon Estate. Washington’s ambitious and profitable Gristmill used groundbreaking technology in the 1790’s, and provided staple foods for the house, enslaved servicemen and women of the house.
George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill ® is 2.7 miles from the main Mount Vernon Mansion and Estate. The Gristmill is a fully-functioning water-powered rendition of the technology and equipment Washington would have been pioneering with in the late 1700’s. Washington incorporated new improvements and inventions from Oliver Evans’ automated milling system in a successful effort to make profit from his “Merchant Mill.” Visitors can purchase flour ground at the gristmill, and whiskey distilled on-site is also available seasonally. The buildings standing today are not the original Washington Merchant Mill-- those fell into disrepair and were torn down in the 1800’s. In 1932 the Commonwealth of Virginia conducted extensive archaeological research in order to construct the replica buildings that stand today. Photo Credits: NPS | Monica Larcom
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40-120 Minutes
The guided tour of the Gristmill and Distillery is 30 minutes long, though one could take much longer to walk around the grounds and talk to the period-costumed guides much longer.
To take a guided tour of the Gristmill and Distillery only, adult tickets are 5$. General admission prices to the entire Mount Vernon Estate (which includes the price of the Gristmill tour) are as follows: Adults (ages 12-61): 20$ Children (5-11): 10$ Children (0-5) FREE Seniors (62+): 19$ Note: Buying tickets ONLINE gets you a discount (3$). Military discounts are also available for General Admission tickets.
Yes
Spring, Summer, Fall
Day
Most of the Mount Vernon estate sites are available by wheelchair, and there are designated parking spots available at the Gristmill. There are wheelchair-accessible paths to both the Gristmill and the Distillery. However, the Gristmill’s upper floors are accessible only by stairway. Audio tours are available for those hard of hearing. There are also ASL tours available for the main estate and auxiliary grounds (like the Gristmill and Distillery) the by calling or emailing beforehand and requesting an ASL tour guide for the grounds ahead of time. If you have further questions, please send your emails to accessibility@mountvernon.org or call 703-780-2000.
Yes — Mount Vernon welcomes certified service animals and animals-in-training. If you have further questions, please send your emails to accessibility@mountvernon.org or call 703-780-2000.
No — You can buy tickets online but it is not required. Tickets are available on-site.
Open to all ages! Is kid-friendly.
5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy Alexandria, VA 22309