18th-Century Preserved Fruit Found at George Washington’s Estate
Researchers have found over two dozen 18th-century bottles containing well-preserved cherries and other fruits in a remarkable archaeological discovery at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. This unprecedented find sheds light on the food preservation techniques of the time and offers a glimpse into the lives of those who lived and worked on the estate.
Finding a Hidden Treasure
The bottles were found in the cellar of the mansion at Mount Vernon, with over 35 found and 29 intact and containing preserved fruit. These bottles, which likely remained undisturbed since before the American Revolution, were uncovered in five storage pits. The initial discovery of two bottles of preserved cherries hinted at a larger cache, which confirmed this significant finding. This discovery has been hailed as a "blockbuster" by Mount Vernon president and CEO Doug Bradburn, who emphasized its unprecedented nature in North American archaeology.