Free Admission to Mount Vernon on February 16, 2009

Admission is FREE on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16, 2009! Historic Mount Vernon celebrates George Washington's 277th birthday with three days of special events. Presidents’ Day is a great day to explore George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens and learn more about the life of the first president of the United States.

Schedule for Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join "George Washington" for breakfast as he enjoys his favorite morning meal, "hoecakes swimming in butter and honey", cooked over an open fire Pull up a hay bale and chat with the Father of Our Country about politics, farming, the Revolutionary War, and life in the 18th century.

1:30 p.m. "America's Smallest Hometown Parade", complete with fife and drum corps, early-American music and heritage breed animals, lines up to march past "General Washington", the Mansion and around the circle drive.

Schedule for Monday, February 16
10:00 a.m. An official wreathlaying ceremony is held at Washington's tomb, followed by a performance and Revolutionary War battle demonstration by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Fife and Drum Corps and the Commander-in-Chief's Guard. "General Washington" will be on the grounds to greet visitors and receive their birthday wishes.

1:30 p.m. "America's Smallest Hometown Parade" makes its Monday debut with an encore of its weekend performances. The parade includes a fife and drum corps, early-American music and heritage breed animals marching past "General Washington", the Mansion and around the circle drive.

Schedule for Saturday, February 21
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Beginning February 21, Historic Mount Vernon's F.M. Kirby Gallery in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum hosts a special new exhibition, "George Washington & His Generals." For the first time, a collection of over 120 paintings, personal artifacts and manuscripts associated with the generals of the Continental and French armies who served under George Washington will be on display. "George Washington & His Generals" exhibition is co-sponsored by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and The Society of the Cincinnati and will remain on view through January 10, 2010. Admission to the F.M. Kirby Gallery is included with regular admission.

Schedule for Sunday, February 22
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. George Washington's Real Birthday! Anyone named George, or whose birthday, like Washington's, is February 22, will be admitted FREE upon presenting identification.

(Article from About.com by Rachel Cooper)

National Archives Special Display

February 12-16, 2009. The highlight of the year-long celebration of Lincoln's birthday will be a special display of the original Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln, in the National Archives East Rotunda Gallery. The special display of the original Emancipation Proclamation is free and open to the public.

(from About.com)

Washington DC Restaurant Week 2009

During Washington, DC Restaurant Week, 170 of Washington, DC’s finest restaurants offer 3-course lunches for $20.09 and 3-course dinners for $35.09. Washington, DC Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to experience Washington, DC’s best restaurants at affordable prices. A complete list of participants is posted at opentable.com

Dates: February 16 - 22, 2009

(from About.com by Rachel Cooper)

Lincoln's 200th Birthday Celebration

Washington, DC will host a citywide four-month celebration marking the Lincoln Bicentennial, (February 12, 2009 - Lincoln’s 200th Birthday) with more than 80 exhibitions, performances, lectures, and guided tours honoring Abraham Lincoln. Beginning January 1 and running through April 30, the nation’s capital will offer an impressive lineup of major events and commemorations of one of America’s best loved leaders. Events occurring in February are:

February 12, 2009, Lincoln's Birthday Tribute and Wreath Layingat the Lincoln Memorial, 8:00 a.m. A world-class concert and entertainment special, featuring nineteenth century popular and patriotic music performed by outstanding military bands.

February 12, 2009 – Reopening of Ford’s Theatre Open House and Birthday Celebration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. An exciting day of speakers, performances and activities to celebrate President Lincoln's 200th Birthday and the reopening of Ford's Theatre after an extensive renovation.

(Article from About.com by Rachel Cooper)