Archaeologists Discover 35 Bottles of 18th Century Preserves at Mount Vernon

The unprecedented find includes perfectly preserved cherries and berries, offering new insights into colonial-era foodways.

Thirty-five glass bottles filled with cherries and berries were unearthed in the cellar of George Washington's home.
Of the 35 bottles discovered, 29 are intact and contain perfectly preserved fruit from the 18th century.
The discovery is part of a $40 million Mansion Revitalization Project at Mount Vernon.
Scientists are analyzing the contents, hoping to learn more about 18th-century food preservation and potentially germinate the cherry pits.
The bottles likely date back to before the American Revolution and highlight the skills of the enslaved people who managed food preparations.