By Raquel DeSouza
Northern Virginia is rich with historic sites ranging from colonial farms to homes of former presidents. If you live in the area, you can take all of this nearby history for granted because sometimes taking the usual guided tour just gets old. Instead of listening to lists of facts, excite your taste buds at these five unique museum experiences.
1. Drink liquor like our “Distiller in Chief”
Mount Vernon’s Gentleman Distiller: Whiskey Tasting & Dinner is an annual event that teaches how whiskey was made when George Washington was around. Start with a reception at the distillery & gristmill and finish off with a whiskey tasting and dinner at the estate’s Inn Restaurant.// Aug. 21, 6:30-9:45 p.m., 200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, 22121, $125 per person, 703-780-2000
Photo Courtesy of Mount Vernon
2. Buy produce from the past
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm grows “heirloom plants or unusual plants” that were originally grown at the 18th-century farm. Some of the available unique fruits and veggies include over 30 types of tomatoes and 10 kinds of peppers.
Photo Courtesy of Claude Moore Colonial Farm
There is also the wheat harvest around mid-June where you can help out binding and stacking the wheat and rye. You can even break a sweat while churning butter. // 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, 22101, 703-442-7557
3. Munch on 18th-century grains
The Colvin Run Mill Historic Site still uses its restored mill that was built in 1811. If you take a tour during the spring, summer or fall, you can watch the miller grind flour and cornmeal on the first and third Sundays of each month, according to Fairfax public information officer Judy Pederson. Then head over to the general store that was once open for business for about 50 years to buy a mill souvenir. There is fresh stone-ground whole wheat flour, white and yellow cornmeal and white and yellow grits. // 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, 22066, 703-759-2771
Photo Courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
4. Sip tea like a lady
Enjoy an afternoon tea at the Oatlands Historic House and Gardens with a blend made in Maine exclusively for the historic site. Serving tea to guests was tradition for the two owners of the estate. President Franklin Roosevelt and his mother were one of the notable guests in the 1930s, according to director of development Matt Karycinovich. Make sure to reserve your spot about three to four days before the event. // July 26 and Aug. 9, 1-3 p.m., 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, 20175, $28.95 per person, can get discounted tour at $6, 703-777-3174
Photo Courtesy of Matt Kraycinovich / Oatlands Historic House and Gardens
5. Eat Thomas Jefferson’s favorite dessert
At Jefferson’s Table: Recipes from the Monticello Kitchen, you can take a cooking class to make recipes from TJ’s time using fresh seasonal produce grown from the Monticello garden. Then you can watch how Jefferson’s favorite dessert, called profiteroles, is made. Of course you then can get a tasting of the Founding Father’s puff pastry. // July 25, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, 22902, $45 per person, 434-984-9800
Photo Courtesy of Monticello Archives