Last weekend’s trip to Washington also afforded Adamu and I the chance to visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s plantation estate, now an expensive museum open to the public.
It’s no secret that Washington was revered as a national saint during his later life, and the cult only increased after his death. The father of the nation deserves recognition — but without being disrespectful, the Washington worship that goes on at Mount Vernon place is creepy and almost cultish. Adamu and I had good fun walking around the grounds for a good two hours and enjoying the scenery, the colonial architecture, and the history. But the automatic speakerphones blaring the good word of the Father of the nation, the token information on slaves, the aggressive female tour guides preaching the glory of Washington with a glazed look in their eyes was at times disconcerting.
“Crack Corn” on Mount Vernon and simulate the life experience of a real slave!
This isn’t a call for the relativism of recent decades where Christopher Columbus is a war criminal and our slaveowning founding fathers are judged through the prism of modern values. But Mount Vernon is over the top — to the point where the idolization interferred with my ability to enjoy the experience. And if you feel the same, you might enjoy this parody-homage of our very own Dear Leader — just please note this is _not_ work safe.
I just wanted to say.
That was fucking HILARIOUS
I’ve always been a little turned off by any official historical sites that have full time staff. I mean, you gotta really love your subject to work full time in a place like this, in period wear no less.
In George’s defense, unlike the other slave-holding founding fathers (cough*Jefferson*cough), he made provisions for the freedom of his slaves upon his wives death and for them to get a pension. In many ways he started to really buy-into the true meaning of freedom near the end (or was atleast against slavery – i.e. was probably not for social equality)
Curzon, did the aggressive female tour guides also participate in mass games-kind of marches?
That was the funniest thing you’ve ever posted on this blog.
Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
Also disconcerting – hour-long wait to go inside the stupid mansion. I am so glad we didn’t go in there. Of course, if they were showing that video inside (which of course they don’t) the length of the line would be understandable.
BTW, nice pants, Curzon! They make you look like a Japanese construction worker.
I just watched it. Brilliant.
Where can one get those pants Curzon?
Brilliant. BTW, looking buff there Curzon
Washington is brilliant!
I too, wonder why the Good Lord Curzon doth don the Hammer pants?
parts were funny, but mostly that was pretty strange/random.
To perhaps save this conversation…
Regarding the Cult of the Founders…
To what extent can a Civil Religion become a 4G movement? Has it ever happened?
A few years ago I had the opportunity to go on a Christmas Eve candle-light tour of Mt. Vernon and it was excellent. No evidence of Washington worship, just a good tour.
Having worked as a tour guide in DC, I would recommend not visiting in the summer. It’s hot and humid and there are mobs of people everywhere. It’s better to come during other times of the year.
Pingback: tdaxp