Old Tomb, Washington's Tomb, Slave Memorial October 11, 2008

In his will, George Washington directed that he be buried on his beloved Mount Vernon estate. He also selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the original family vault, which was deteriorating. When the tomb was completed in 1831, Washington's body was moved there from the old vault with the remains of his wife, Martha and other family members. The Old Tomb, a short distance to the east, has been restored. The slave burial ground, marked by a memorial to honor African-American slaves who worked at Mount Vernon, is on a wooded hill near the New Tomb. This land was used as a cemetery for slaves and free blacks who worked for the Washington family during the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century. The graves are unmarked and the identities and numbers of those buried are largely unknown.