As part of a $40 million Mansion Revitalization Project, archaeologists have unearthed two sealed, 18th-century European glass bottles at George Washington’s Mount Vernon mansion. Analysis has revealed a distinctive scent held within the bottles, reminiscent of cherry blossoms, a characteristic of the spring season in the region. The bottles were found upright and sealed, each containing liquid and preserved cherries, complete with stems and pits.
Archaeologists working at George Washington’s historic Virginia home, Mount Vernon, recently unearthed two perfectly intact bottles filled with cherries. The bottles, discovered in the cellar under a brick floor dating back to the 1770s, were found upright, sealed, and still containing liquid. The cherries, including stems and pits, were well-preserved within the liquid and emitted a characteristic scent of cherry blossoms. This remarkable discovery was made as part of a $40 million restoration project at the estate.
Archaeologists have unearthed two glass bottles filled with 250-year-old cherries, pits, stems, and a gooey residue beneath a brick floor laid in the 1770s at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic home in Virginia. The amber-colored liquid in the bottles is believed to be groundwater that seeped in as the corks deteriorated over time. Researchers speculate that the cherries were harvested at Mount Vernon likely before the Revolutionary War and buried between 1758 and 1776 for future consumption. While cherry bounce was popular during colonial times, the small size of the bottles suggests the cherries were likely preserved for cooking or baking rather than for making the alcoholic beverage.
Archaeologists excavating at George Washington’s Mount Vernon have discovered two intact bottles filled with liquid and preserved cherries from the 1770s. The bottles were likely buried by enslaved people and may have been intended for later dining. The discovery offers a rare glimpse into culinary practices and preservation methods of the 18th century and sheds light on the daily lives of those who lived and worked at Mount Vernon.
Archaeologists at Mount Vernon have made an astonishing discovery: two intact bottles containing preserved cherries, believed to date back to the 1770s. The bottles, found in the mansion’s basement, likely served as a time capsule, providing a glimpse into the culinary practices and food preservation techniques of George Washington’s era.
