The most popular historic estate in America, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, is located 16 miles south of Washington, D.C, and rests on the banks of the Potomac River. Toured by nearly 80 million visitors since it opened to the public in 1860, George and Martha Washington’s 500-acre plantation encompasses the mansion house, burial site and outbuildings, including the kitchen, stables, gardens and greenhouse. The leading global resource for information on the United States first president, Mount Vernon seeks to spread appreciation of George Washington’s home and preserve his legacy for generations to come.
As a significant national landmark, Mount Vernon’s need for security has been a top priority since its opening nearly 150 years ago. When chief of security Walt Beale first started at the estate in 1986, security officers were equipped with hand-held radios and monitors and the main gate featured electronic access.
