50 Years of American Independence at the Mount Vernon Hotel

Celebrate America's 250th with our new exhibition, Founding Fathers: Treasures from the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum Collection!

To honor 250 years of American Independence, this tour will coincide with the new exhibition, Founding Fathers: Treasures From the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum Collection. On view for just three months, this exhition showcases an original letter written by John Adams during the First Continental Congress, an original letter from George Washington while on the battlefield in 1780, a fragment from one of George Washington’s Revolutionary War tents, and an 1817 invitation to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday, among other items.

This special program is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in America’s rich history as experienced at a New York City day hotel, to learn about our founding fathers and their impact in the early 19th century, and to understand how the next generation in the 1820s and 30s, which would have included guests at the Mount Vernon Hotel, honored the founders and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1826. This tour explores the importance of the founding fathers and July 4th traditions, including how New Yorkers celebrated, feasted, and toasted the jubilee of the Declaration of Independence. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about our nation’s past, this event is not to be missed! Join us for this unique opportunity!

1826-2026: Celebrating 200 Years of the Mount Vernon Hotel

“50 Years of American Independence at the Mount Vernon Hotel” was funded in part through a grant approved by the Americana Corner Preserving America Grant program.