Mount Vernon (@MountVernon)

We're excited this morning to kick off two days of panels from Mount Vernon at "Lessons from the Founding: The 2026 George Washington Symposium." Through nine dynamic themes, and with more than 50 speakers, the symposium will connect the nation's founding principles with today's most pressing civic questions. Follow along here over the next two days for a peek into thought-provoking moments, photos, and a look at some special objects from Mount Vernon’s collections. #GWSymposium

Promotional poster for "Lessons from the Founding: The 2026 George Washington Symposium" at Mount Vernon, Virginia from November 5-7, 2026. Features headshots of several speakers, including Leon Panetta, David Rubenstein, and Karl Rove. MountVernon.org is listed at the bottom.

ALT Promotional poster for "Lessons from the Founding: The 2026 George Washington Symposium" at Mount Vernon, Virginia from November 5-7, 2026. Features headshots of several speakers, including Leon Panetta, David Rubenstein, and Karl Rove. MountVernon.org is listed at the bottom.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 11:22 PM UTC

@MountVernon16h

And with a final discussion on Civics Education featuring Louise Dubé (@louise_dube), CEO of iCivics, we conclude "Lessons from the Founding: The 2026 George Washington Symposium"! Thank you to our speakers, moderators, and attendees for two days of thought-provoking conversations about the founding principles of our republic and their relevance today. A special thank you to our Leadership Sponsors, Stand Together and More Perfect, and our Sponsors, Don and Karen Tavolacci and the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation. The annual George Washington Symposium is supported by a generous endowment established by The Barra Foundation. #GWSymposium

ALT This is a promotional poster for a Civics Education event featuring an individual named Louise Dubé, CEO of iCivics. The event is part of the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon, scheduled for Saturday, November 7 at 5 p.m. ET. The Mount Vernon logo is at the top, and the website mountvernon.org is listed at the bottom.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 10:10 PM UTC

@MountVernon17h

Panel on Religious Freedom with John Fea (@JohnFea1) and Mona Charen (@monacharen), moderated by Jeffrey Rosen (@RosenJeffrey) “We have had many reasons to look back at the founders and think, ‘They missed a few things.’ But religious freedom—that they nailed. It is worth remembering that we are the very first country to formally separate church and state. It had never been done in history.” - Mona Charen #GWSymposium

A panel discussion is taking place in front of a backdrop featuring George Washington's Mount Vernon. Three people are seated on stage, with large portraits of George Washington visible on both sides. The setting is formal, with a small audience in front.

ALT A panel discussion is taking place in front of a backdrop featuring George Washington's Mount Vernon. Three people are seated on stage, with large portraits of George Washington visible on both sides. The setting is formal, with a small audience in front.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 9:02 PM UTC

@MountVernon18h

Panel on Covering the Presidency, moderated by Robert Costa (@costareports) “It’s the ultimate beat, obviously. The tricky part is that White House Correspondents, like the dog that catches the bus, they are confined into a little room. They often don’t have access. They’re interviewing each other. It can be very limited, it can be very confining. The trick is how to break out of that and how to work around the narrow funnel that the White House tries to put you in.” - Evan Thomas (@evanthomasbooks) on covering the presidency “I think that for anybody who really wants to understand Washington [D.C.], spending a few years on Capitol Hill, before you sort of get sucked into the maw of our imperial presidency, is a great way to do it. Because I think you learn about how tactile power actually is and how much it’s made of relationships.” - Susan Glasser (@sbg1) #GWSymposium

A panel discussion takes place on a stage with three individuals seated in chairs. Behind them is a large backdrop featuring Mount Vernon, George Washington's historic estate. The stage is flanked by large portraits of George Washington. In front of the panelists, small tables hold microphones and water bottles. The stage is part of an event at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

ALT A panel discussion takes place on a stage with three individuals seated in chairs. Behind them is a large backdrop featuring Mount Vernon, George Washington's historic estate. The stage is flanked by large portraits of George Washington. In front of the panelists, small tables hold microphones and water bottles. The stage is part of an event at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 7:59 PM UTC

@MountVernon19h

Panel on Presidential Transitions “I wish every American could see what the West Wing looks like on the night of January 19th, because everybody is gone. Everything is gone. There are no books on the shelves … there are carpenters and painters furiously getting ready to have the West Wing look the way the new president wants it to look. And to me, it was almost a spiritual experience wandering around the West Wing on that night because democracy had done its work, an incumbent president was being abruptly removed, his entire team was gone, and I had a feeling of, ‘What a great thing our system is that permits this to happen peacefully and smoothly.’” - Joshua Bolten on the presidential transition of 1993 #GWSymposium

Promotional image for an event titled "Presidential Transitions" at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Featuring Joshua Bolten, Jack H. Watson, Ambassador Yohannes Abraham, and David Marchick. Moderated by Jackie Alemany. Event details: Saturday, Nov. 7, 1:45 p.m. ET. Hosted by The 2026 George Washington Symposium. MountVernon.org.

ALT Promotional image for an event titled "Presidential Transitions" at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Featuring Joshua Bolten, Jack H. Watson, Ambassador Yohannes Abraham, and David Marchick. Moderated by Jackie Alemany. Event details: Saturday, Nov. 7, 1:45 p.m. ET. Hosted by The 2026 George Washington Symposium. MountVernon.org.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 8:16 PM UTC

@MountVernon19h

“Someone said earlier that the founding fathers talked about virtue and the importance of virtue in the conduct of our government and our nation. That’s what we need. And Congress cannot legislate that.” - Jack Hearn Watson on the transition of power

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 7:02 PM UTC

@MountVernon20h

“One of the most important legacies of the 1800 election, and this is where Jefferson is right that it is a 'revolution,' is that there was a peaceful transfer of power from one political party to the next.” - Frank Cogliano “Was there really a corrupt bargain? I don’t know … but the country perceived it that way. And not only did it doom [John Quincy] Adams’s one-term as president, it doomed Henry Clay who would run for president three times and never win. And you can kind of trace it back to that original sin of that ‘corrupt bargain’ with John Quincy Adams.” - Bob Crawford on the 1824 election “This peaceful transfer [of power] is the secret of the whole thing. It is the most important thing. It is more important than whoever is president for the next four years … It is a great inheritance from the people who went through these difficult elections and came out on the other side.” - Steve Inskeep (@NPRinskeep) #GWSymposium

This image is a promotional poster for a symposium titled "Contested Transitions" held at George Washington's Mount Vernon. It features headshots of three speakers: a professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh, a bassist from The Avett Brothers and history podcaster, and the host of NPR’s Morning Edition. The event is moderated by Susan Swain, Former President and Co-CEO of C-SPAN. The event date and website are also included.

ALT This image is a promotional poster for a symposium titled "Contested Transitions" held at George Washington's Mount Vernon. It features headshots of three speakers: a professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh, a bassist from The Avett Brothers and history podcaster, and the host of NPR’s Morning Edition. The event is moderated by Susan Swain, Former President and Co-CEO of C-SPAN. The event date and website are also included.

A panel discussion is taking place in an auditorium with four people seated on stage. Behind them is a backdrop featuring an image of George Washington's Mount Vernon. American flags and portraits of George Washington are displayed on either side. The audience is seated, viewing the speakers.

ALT A panel discussion is taking place in an auditorium with four people seated on stage. Behind them is a backdrop featuring an image of George Washington's Mount Vernon. American flags and portraits of George Washington are displayed on either side. The audience is seated, viewing the speakers.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 3:46 PM UTC

“After the Civil War is over, [Abraham Lincoln] rules with magnanimity—'with malice toward none and charity for all.’ And that strength and compassion is largely what defines American values and the executive branch of government—the presidency. He defines the presidency. And while it’s Washington who creates the presidency, it’s Lincoln who saves our union from destruction.” - Mark Updegrove (@MarkKUpdegrove), author of “Make Your Mark: Lessons in Character from Seven Presidents” “[President McKinley] is a remarkable figure. I’m not making the argument that he is one of the greats, but he is an important figure. First off, politically, he runs the first modern presidential campaign, both in the primary and general election. What he does in both of them looks more like what happens today than what happened before.” - Karl Rove (@karlrove), author of “The Triumph of William McKinley” #GWSymposium

The image is a promotional poster for an event titled "The Historic Presidency" scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. ET. Featured speakers include Mark K. Updegrove, Lindsay M. Chervinsky, and Karl Rove. Douglas Bradburn is the moderator. The event is part of The 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

ALT The image is a promotional poster for an event titled "The Historic Presidency" scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. ET. Featured speakers include Mark K. Updegrove, Lindsay M. Chervinsky, and Karl Rove. Douglas Bradburn is the moderator. The event is part of The 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 3:16 PM UTC

#OnThisDay in 1775, Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation promised freedom to enslaved people and indentured servants belonging to Virginia patriots if they joined the British forces. This list shows 17 people who self-emancipated from Mount Vernon. Among them was Harry Washington, who served in Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment: an army of nearly 800 Black loyalists. Dunmore, the last royal governor of Virginia, hoped that “Peace and good Order may the sooner be restored” through his decree, freeing all those “appertaining to Rebels” and “that are able and willing to bear Arms.” This promise of freedom came with profound risks. After the British defeat, the Crown failed to uphold protections across the empire. Many people faced re-enslavement, including 7 of the men and women listed in this document. Still, Dunmore’s call was answered by men, women, and children willing to risk their lives for a chance at freedom. To learn more, visit our website: bit.ly/4A7yaqe

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 3:14 PM UTC

Panel on the Constitution, moderated by Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) “I think it’s wrong to conceive of George Washington as somehow soft on executive power. I think the way that George Washington conceived of executive power is: You have very hard limits, but within those limits, I think he was in favor of a robust executive.” - Elie Honig (@eliehonig) “Looking particularly from our 21st-century perspective, the expectation that the separation of powers would function by intense competition for power, that everyone would want to be very active, is an assumption that was absolutely implicit in everything [the founders] did. And I think the most surprising thing about contemporary constitutional practice to the framers of the Constitution would have been a Congress that is willfully weak.” - Yuval Levin #GWSymposium

A panel discussion is taking place on a stage with four individuals seated in chairs. Behind them is a large backdrop featuring an image of George Washington's Mount Vernon, flanked by portraits of George Washington. The stage is adorned with banners from George Washington's Mount Vernon. An audience is visible in the foreground.

ALT A panel discussion is taking place on a stage with four individuals seated in chairs. Behind them is a large backdrop featuring an image of George Washington's Mount Vernon, flanked by portraits of George Washington. The stage is adorned with banners from George Washington's Mount Vernon. An audience is visible in the foreground.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 2:49 PM UTC

We begin day two of “Lessons from the Founding: The 2026 George Washington Symposium” with a discussion on the Constitution, moderated by Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) 🎤 “Everyone knew that [Washington] would be the first president … and so, in some ways, I think that, because there was a great deal of faith in the suitability of the first occupant of the office, they didn’t say enough [in the Constitution] about what the power of the president would be and what the constraints on the president would be.” - Kate Shaw (@kateashaw1) #GWSymposium

This image is a promotional poster for an event titled "The Constitution" happening on Saturday, November 7, at 9 A.M. ET. It features three speakers: Elie Honig, Senior Legal Analyst at CNN; Kate Shaw, Professor at Penn Carey Law and co-host of Strict Scrutiny; and Yuval Levin, Director of Social, Cultural and Constitutional Studies at AEI. The event is moderated by Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times. It is part of The 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

ALT This image is a promotional poster for an event titled "The Constitution" happening on Saturday, November 7, at 9 A.M. ET. It features three speakers: Elie Honig, Senior Legal Analyst at CNN; Kate Shaw, Professor at Penn Carey Law and co-host of Strict Scrutiny; and Yuval Levin, Director of Social, Cultural and Constitutional Studies at AEI. The event is moderated by Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times. It is part of The 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 7, 2026 · 12:16 AM UTC

“The question for us is not whether or not we will have moments that almost feel like they’re going to break the system. They will absolutely happen. The question is whether or not our institutions will absorb the strain and respond to it. And, as I often say, the institutions are people.” - Melody Barnes (@MelodyCBarnes) “The most important thing is character in leaders. You don’t know what they’re going to confront, the issues they’re going to face … you want people of character and decency, and it takes people of character who can then persuade people who have different views to cross the aisle and get things done.” - John Bridgeland (@JohnMBridgeland) “These virtues, these morals, these values, these principles, they didn’t just come out of nowhere. They have been passed down to us, bequeathed to us, by our founders.” - Judge J. Michael Luttig (@judgeluttig) #GWSymposium

This is a promotional poster for a virtual event titled "Strengthening Democracy," scheduled for Friday, November 6, at 6:15 p.m. ET. It features three speakers: Melody Barnes, Judge J. Michael Luttig, and John Bridgeland, with moderation by Peter Wehner of The New York Times. The event is part of The 2026 George Washington Symposium organized by George Washington's Mount Vernon.

ALT This is a promotional poster for a virtual event titled "Strengthening Democracy," scheduled for Friday, November 6, at 6:15 p.m. ET. It features three speakers: Melody Barnes, Judge J. Michael Luttig, and John Bridgeland, with moderation by Peter Wehner of The New York Times. The event is part of The 2026 George Washington Symposium organized by George Washington's Mount Vernon.

A large audience is seated in an auditorium facing a panel discussion on stage. Multiple speakers are seated in front of a blue backdrop displaying text and an image. The venue appears formal, with attendees dressed in business attire. A screen displays additional information in the background.

ALT A large audience is seated in an auditorium facing a panel discussion on stage. Multiple speakers are seated in front of a blue backdrop displaying text and an image. The venue appears formal, with attendees dressed in business attire. A screen displays additional information in the background.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 10:48 PM UTC

“In 1799, when George Washington died, the British Navy flew its flags at half mast in respect for the General. And I think it’s a sign that, as we’ve looked back this year on the 250th, it’s been a real moment to look forward as well … ours is a friendship that is vital, it’s deep, it’s enduring, and I’d say it’s consequential.” – British Ambassador Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) “I strongly believe that if the U.S. wants to be, and remain, the leader on artificial intelligence, you need the collaboration with Europe … that will be absolutely key. We should not be inward-looking; we shouldn’t be stuck in regulatory discussions. We really need to work together.” – French Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier (@FrenchAmbUS) “We’ve been celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution this entire year and the participation of all of us—the British, the French, the Spanish, and the Hispanics—in support of the 13 colonies.” – Spanish Ambassador Ángeles Moreno Bau (@AMorenoBau) #GWSymposium

A poster for an event titled "America and the World" featuring three ambassadors: Ángeles Moreno Bau from Spain, Aurélien Lechevallier from France, and Christian Turner from Britain. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, at 4:15 p.m. ET during the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

ALT A poster for an event titled "America and the World" featuring three ambassadors: Ángeles Moreno Bau from Spain, Aurélien Lechevallier from France, and Christian Turner from Britain. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, at 4:15 p.m. ET during the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 8:51 PM UTC

“We have a long tradition of civilian national service in this country. We’ve talked about George Washington’s extraordinary leadership as the general for the Continental Army, but without the citizen-soldiers who put down their pitchforks and picked up their muskets, there would not have been a revolution. So, the country really started with the spirit of citizen service.” - Alan Khazei (@AlanKhazei) “We don’t have a lack of young people who want to change their communities. What we have, often, is too much friction between that desire to make change and the pathways they see to do it.” - Layla Zaidane (@layla_says) #GWSymposium

A poster for an event titled "Service Culture and Civic Virtue" featuring Layla Zaidane and Alan Khazei with a moderated session by John Bridgeland, hosted by George Washington's Mount Vernon.

ALT A poster for an event titled "Service Culture and Civic Virtue" featuring Layla Zaidane and Alan Khazei with a moderated session by John Bridgeland, hosted by George Washington's Mount Vernon.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 8:17 PM UTC

Panel on Principles of Foreign Policy: a live recording of the “Shield of the Republic” podcast (@ShieldPod) “There are so many things to say about Washington, but one of them is just his massive amount of common sense. And I think often there’s a temptation to try to frame foreign policy as some kind of esoteric craft when a large part of it is common sense, and actually simplicity, more than subtlety.” - Eliot Cohen (@EliotACohen) “That is an under-appreciated quality in our presidents that we don’t value enough … the temperament of a decision-maker who understands that they don’t know everything, that they can’t know everything, and have enough self-confidence to be able to take a variety of expert opinion and weigh it out and make judgments.” - Ambassador Eric S. Edelman #GWSymposium

This image is a promotional poster for an event titled "Principles of Foreign Policy," hosted by George Washington's Mount Vernon. It features photos of Eliot A. Cohen and Ambassador Eric S. Edelman. The event includes a live recording of "Shield of the Republic" and is moderated by Lindsay M. Chervinsky. The date and time are Friday, Nov. 6, 2 P.M. ET. Additional event details are at the bottom.

ALT This image is a promotional poster for an event titled "Principles of Foreign Policy," hosted by George Washington's Mount Vernon. It features photos of Eliot A. Cohen and Ambassador Eric S. Edelman. The event includes a live recording of "Shield of the Republic" and is moderated by Lindsay M. Chervinsky. The date and time are Friday, Nov. 6, 2 P.M. ET. Additional event details are at the bottom.

A panel discussion takes place on a stage with three individuals seated in chairs. Behind them is a large image of Mount Vernon. The setting includes American flags and a projected backdrop featuring a portrait of George Washington. An audience is seated in front, watching the event.

ALT A panel discussion takes place on a stage with three individuals seated in chairs. Behind them is a large image of Mount Vernon. The setting includes American flags and a projected backdrop featuring a portrait of George Washington. An audience is seated in front, watching the event.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 6:07 PM UTC

Panel on Philanthropy and Democracy, a conversation between Doug Bradburn (@DouglasBradburn) and David M. Rubenstein (@DM_Rubenstein) “All philanthropy is patriotic. And I like to remind people that philanthropy is derived from an ancient Greek word that means ‘loving humanity’ … and among the most valuable things you can do is give your time.” – David M. Rubenstein #GWSymposium

The image is a promotional poster for an event titled "Philanthropy and Democracy: A Conversation." It features two portraits: David M. Rubenstein, identified as Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, and Douglas Bradburn, President and CEO of George Washington's Mount Vernon. The event is scheduled for Friday, November 6, at 12 p.m. ET, as part of the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

ALT The image is a promotional poster for an event titled "Philanthropy and Democracy: A Conversation." It features two portraits: David M. Rubenstein, identified as Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, and Douglas Bradburn, President and CEO of George Washington's Mount Vernon. The event is scheduled for Friday, November 6, at 12 p.m. ET, as part of the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

Two individuals are seated on a stage at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, engaged in a discussion. A large image of George Washington is visible in the background. A small table with water bottles sits between them, and there is an audience in the foreground.

ALT Two individuals are seated on a stage at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, engaged in a discussion. A large image of George Washington is visible in the background. A small table with water bottles sits between them, and there is an audience in the foreground.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 5:19 PM UTC

Panel on Civil-Military Relations, moderated by historian Rick Atkinson “Washington, that wonderful leader, gathers his officers up and goes to address them directly. He’s fantastic, he does this (pulls out glasses). ‘Forgive me, gentlemen, I have grown gray and almost blind in the service to my country.’ The officers who love this man start to weep … he convinced them, we are an army of the people. We do not use this army to overturn the government.” - Admiral Michelle Howard, Ret., on the Newburgh Address “The rule of law and the strength of our institutions are things that I keep coming back to about why we are going to be okay. And I just fundamentally believe that you count out the United States of America at your peril.” - Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, Ret. (@Ty_Seidule) #GWSymposium

Three individuals are seated on a stage with the George Washington's Mount Vernon backdrop. They are engaged in a panel discussion at the George Washington Presidential Library. A small audience is visible in the foreground.

ALT Three individuals are seated on a stage with the George Washington's Mount Vernon backdrop. They are engaged in a panel discussion at the George Washington Presidential Library. A small audience is visible in the foreground.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 4:20 PM UTC

“If you want to help the largest number of people and be a part of helping our republic survive, you have to figure out a way to get yourself elected to something. That opportunity still exists today.” - former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) “You do a little reading, do a little reflecting, ask a lot of wise people, then you try to make the call that you think is right under the circumstances.” - former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (@purduemitch) on making difficult decisions as a public servant #GWSymposium

This is a promotional poster for an event titled "Former Governors on Public Service: A Conversation." It features Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., described as the former Governor of Indiana and President of Purdue University, and Lamar Alexander, noted as a former U.S. Senator and Governor of Tennessee. The discussion is moderated by Major Garrett, the Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News. The event is part of the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

ALT This is a promotional poster for an event titled "Former Governors on Public Service: A Conversation." It features Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., described as the former Governor of Indiana and President of Purdue University, and Lamar Alexander, noted as a former U.S. Senator and Governor of Tennessee. The discussion is moderated by Major Garrett, the Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News. The event is part of the 2026 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 6, 2026 · 3:43 PM UTC

We kicked off today's panels with Doug Bradburn, Mount Vernon's president and CEO, and Lindsay M. Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library. 🎤 “We came up with nine principles, values, or contributions that Washington made to the nation that are really central to what it means to be a republic,” Chervinsky explained. “So our thought for this program is to ground it in the history, ground it in Washington’s contributions, and bring together the best scholars, experts, and practitioners to discuss where we are today and then, critically, how do we harness the energy of this anniversary year to talk about what we do next?” #GWSymposium

Two individuals are seated and engaged in a discussion at an event. Behind them, a blue backdrop displays the words "George Washington's Mount Vernon" and "George Washington Presidential Library." A small round table in front of them holds two water bottles and a brochure.

ALT Two individuals are seated and engaged in a discussion at an event. Behind them, a blue backdrop displays the words "George Washington's Mount Vernon" and "George Washington Presidential Library." A small round table in front of them holds two water bottles and a brochure.

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Mount Vernon · Nov 5, 2026 · 2:30 PM UTC