As part of the Christman Company’s Historic Preservation Group, we recently had the privilege of being part of an extraordinary archaeological discovery while working on the Mansion Revitalization Project.
During an excavation in the mansion’s cellar, Mount Vernon’s archaeology team unearthed two glass bottles filled with 250-year-old cherries. These dark green bottles were sealed and still contained liquid, with cherry remains such as stems and pits preserved inside. The liquid still bore the distinctive scent of cherry blossoms, a familiar fragrance for those who know the region during the spring.
The bottles, untouched by the atmosphere for centuries, were carefully transported to Mount Vernon’s archaeology lab. There, they were unsealed and emptied to help stabilize the fragile glass. Jason Boroughs, Mount Vernon’s principal archaeologist, speculated that the cherries were preserved in this way to be eaten later.
This discovery was made during the three-year Mansion Revitalization Project, an effort aimed at safeguarding the mansion’s original building fabric and ensuring its structural integrity for future generations. We at the Christman Company are honored to be running this project and to contribute to preserving such a significant piece of American history. At the Christman Company Historic Preservation Group, we actively seek out historic preservation projects like this, driven by our commitment to maintaining and celebrating our nation’s heritage.