Archaeologists working at George Washington’s historic Virginia home, Mount Vernon, have uncovered a remarkable stash of two bottles filled with cherries. The bottles, which were manufactured in Europe, were found in the cellar of Washington’s home, still sealed and containing liquid. The bottles were made of dark green glass and were discovered upright under a brick floor that was laid in the 1770s, prior to the American Revolutionary War.
The discovery was made as part of a privately-funded $40 million restoration project at the estate. “We have made a number of useful discoveries including this blockbuster find of two fully intact glass bottles containing liquid that have not been seen since before the war for American independence,” said Mount Vernon President and CEO Doug Bradburn in a statement.
The bottles were carefully transported to the Mount Vernon archaeology lab, where researchers decided to remove the liquid. To their surprise, they found that the cherries, including their stems and pits, were remarkably well-preserved within the liquid. The liquid still bore the characteristic scent of cherry blossoms, a familiar fragrance to residents of the region during the spring season.
The expansive Mount Vernon estate is currently undergoing other renovations, including the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system and updates to the masonry. With more than a dozen historic outbuildings, four separate gardens, and the tomb of the family, there could be more hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered within the grounds.
