Archaeological findings at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate have revealed a collection of well preserved ancient fruits. During a restoration project on the banks of the Potomac River, archaeologists discovered 35 bottles in storage pits in the mansion’s cellar, some still containing cherries and nuts preserved for more than 250 years.
Jason Boroughs, Mount Vernon’s chief archaeologist, said the discovery was unprecedented because of the exceptional condition of the preserved ancient fruits.
“It’s pretty spectacular to find essentially fresh fruit 250 years later,” Boroughs says, ABC News reports. “All the stars have to align just right for that to happen.”
The bottles contain whole cherries and other fruit thought to be gooseberries or currants. DNA and chemical tests are underway in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture to confirm their identity and possibly determine any preservation methods used. This discovery also provides insight into the social history of Mount Vernon. The berries were likely preserved under the supervision of Doll, an enslaved woman who managed the farm’s kitchen after arriving with Martha Washington in 1758.
The skill required for such preservation highlights the expertise and role that enslaved individuals played in the daily and economic operations at Mount Vernon. Historical records show that George and Martha Washington had a special fondness for cherries and included them in several recipes, including Martha’s recipe for a “cherry splash” cocktail.
The ongoing $40 million revitalization project at the mansion, scheduled for completion in 2026 to coincide with the nation’s 250th birthday, triggered the archaeological excavations that uncovered these findings.
The timing of the fruit bottling was pinpointed before 1775. The site was paved with a brick floor and the bottles were sealed underground until now. The completion of the excavation is eagerly awaited.