Mount Vernon makes merry with a quirky guest and colonial charm.
Long before karaoke machines and Guitar Hero were party staples, our nation’s founding fathers had to get creative when entertaining their guests. George Washington is a case in point, paying precisely 18 shillings in 1787 to bring a camel to his home along the Potomac. The tradition continues today, where every year during the holidays, George Washington’s Mount Vernon welcomes a special furry friend: Aladdin the camel—all 1,400 pounds of him. Aladdin has been an annual Mount Vernon visitor since 2007, when he was but a wee ungulate, capturing the hearts of visitors near and far. He takes up residence at the estate from Nov. 29–Jan. 1. While you’re there, check out other colonial callbacks to Yuletides past with chocolate making, gingerbread baking, and holiday fifing demonstrations. MountVernon.org
Photos courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
This article originally appeared in our December 2024 issue.
