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Last month, archaeologists found two intact European-manufactured green glass bottles in the cellar of the Mount Vernon mansion, according to a prepared statement. The bottles were discovered beneath a brick floor put down in the 1770s. The sealed bottles contained liquid and were found upright. They have shapes similar to the style of bottles produced in the 1740s and 1750s.
Located thirteen miles south of Washington, DC, George Washington’s Mount Vernon is considered “the most popular historic estate in America.” The former home of George and Martha Washington hosts an average of one million guests annually. Dating back to 1860, over ninety-six million people have visited Mount Vernon.
In 2023, a privately funded Mansion Revitalization Project at Mount Vernon began. Expected to run through 2026, this $40 million landmark preservation project is designed to protect Mount Vernon’s structural integrity. The project also led to discovering the bottles that could provide additional insights into Mount Vernon’s history.
After the discovery, the bottles were transported to the Mount Vernon archaeology lab, where the liquid contents were removed. At this point, archaeologists found cherries preserved within the liquid contents.
The bottles are being sent for conservation this month. Specialists will analyze and test their contents in a controlled environment.
Mount Vernon Principal Archaeologist Jason Boroughs has called the bottles an “incredible discovery … [and] a significant archeological find.” Boroughs noted that the bottles provide insights into 18th-century lives at Mount Vernon and have the “potential to enrich the historic narrative” surrounding Mount Vernon.
Those wanting to view more antique glass bottles can see more than 584,000 items in the WorthPoint Price Guide.
Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website.
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