|
|||||||||||||||
Posted on 10/12/2002 8:15:28 AM PDT by vannrox
WASHINGTON - Get ready to meet a new George Washington. Commander of the Continental Army? Check. First president? Got it. One of America's leading liquor producers? For many Americans, that's a new one. Washington's distillery at Mount Vernon on the Potomac River's Virginia bank, south of the capital, poured out 11,000 gallons a year at its peak, according to plantation records. At the time, the average distillery produced less than 1,000 gallons annually. Washington's booze - mostly corn and rye whiskey and fruit brandy - was one of his plantation's biggest moneymakers. Now, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which owns and operates the estate, is rebuilding the long-destroyed stills. It wants to introduce Americans to a different side of Washington - George Washington, distiller. "This is a very important part of Washington's story," said Esther White, director of archaeology at Mount Vernon. "He was a good businessman. And it's an important part of 18th-century life." Washington got into the liquor business in 1797, after a new plantation manager persuaded the recently retired president that he could make a lot of money at it, said Dennis Pogue, associate director of preservation at Mount Vernon. A first, small batch was so successful that Washington built a large distillery, featuring five stills and a staff of eight, on the plantation grounds. It opened in 1798. The product was an instant hit, although nobody knows how much Washington's popularity had to do with it. The distillery fell into disuse and was torn down by 1815. In the early 1930s, restorers rebuilt the gristmill that once stood near it, but not the distillery. "It was prohibition; it was the Depression," White said. "Washington and alcohol wasn't exactly the story people wanted to spin." But as time has passed, details of Washington's own story have dimmed, Mount Vernon officials noted. "In the last 15 years, there's been a growing recognition that people are losing touch with George Washington," Pogue said. "That's a real shame. He's the American hero. One way to address that is to expand our interpretation into areas that people didn't know about." A new program at Mount Vernon, called "To Keep Him First," will burnish Washington's record as a military and political leader. It also will highlight his acumen as a farmer and businessman. "If people hear more about that, the appreciation will be natural," Pogue said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a Washington-based trade association of liquor manufacturers, has pledged $1.2 million to pay for the distillery's reconstruction. A fund-raising dinner Tuesday night raised more than $120,000. "Wine's done a good job with its heritage," said Peter Cressy, president of the council. "Scotch has, too. We have a very colorful and interesting heritage in the United States. It was a terrific way for us to support a good cause and show the heritage of our industry." Mount Vernon officials hope to have the distillery rebuilt by 2006. So far, White's team of archaeologists has excavated parts of the foundation and floors of the original building, as well as some drainage areas. It's unknown how much Washington enjoyed his own liquor. He was a light drinker, known to enjoy rum and fortified wines such as port and Madeira. He seemed more interested in the practical aspects of the liquor business, Pogue said: As a businessman, whiskey made him money. And as a politician, it got him votes. At Virginia polling places, it was customary for politicians to treat voters to liquor. Washington once lost a campaign where he didn't do so, Pogue said. "From then on, he always treated," Pogue said. "And he always won."
Posted on Tue, Oct. 08, 2002
Archaeologists unearthing distillery in George Washington's home
Knight Ridder Newspapers
Huh? from the article:
Washington got into the liquor business in 1797,
Why would he care about the Brits at that time?
Even Asperin and Caffine? MY oh My.
The Brits already got the boot.
"Washington got into the liquor business in 1797, after a new plantation manager persuaded the recently retired president that he could make a lot of money at it, said Dennis Pogue, associate director of preservation at Mount Vernon."JMHO, but I think it likely Washington may have gotten the idea from the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794.
From what I've read, they grew hemp back then because it was a great material used in making ropes.
From what I've read, they grew hemp back then because it was a great material used in making ropes.
This is indeed, very, VERY scandalous!!!
If this article is true, I am absolutely nauseated at what a corrupt SOB George Washington was!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.