Chocolate Cherry Granola Cookie Recipe – Mount Vernon Inspired!

I hope you read all the amazing sites to see with toddlers and preschoolers in Washington DC! There’s so much history in our nation’s capital, that I wish we’d had more than four days to explore! We walked away with our heads filled with historical knowledge and hearts of gratitude for our country. Plus, a bagful of delicious chocolate from our visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. I used this chocolate to make a memorable cookie recipe of our trip: Chocolate Cherry Granola Cookie!

George Washington’s Mount Vernon – our first President’s historic home – is just thirty minutes outside the DC area. Truly, this historic home is a must-see if you can fit it in! A tour of the house and grounds gives a new perspective on the life and accomplishments of our first President, his political, business, and family life.

American Heritage Historic Chocolate sponsored this post. 

Our Visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon homestead graces a bend in the Potomac River. Its impeccably maintained property undergoes constant restoration towards the most accurate historical representation.

The Washington family greets you in the lobby – actual-height statues of George, Martha, and the two grandchildren they raised as their own. Interestingly, we discovered my husband is the about the same height as President Washington!

Kids can grab an adventure map and find clues to a word puzzle they put together at the end. A great activity to keep children focused on what they’re seeing. I enjoyed reading it to our boys along the way.

As we toured the grounds, I was struck by how the Mount Vernon house and outbuildings show a life so far removed from our present day with no electricity or indoor plumbing. You’ll find yourself fascinated by the parlors, bedrooms, and dining areas. Staff dressed in period costumes tell you a little bit of history in each room. Unfortunately, the rules state we could not take any photos inside George Washington’s home.

A live blacksmith demonstration is constantly underway, and you can see sheep in the pasture nearby. They had baby lambs the day we visited! What an adorable view that was!

Mount Vernon was primarily farm property, and there is a working farm in the lower section where you can see the treading barn that President Washington invented, pigs, and a yoke of oxen at work.

A stop at Washington’s tomb is a solemn one. It was an honor to hear how much our first President accomplished in his lifetime.

The Mount Vernon Education Center is a Kid Magnet!

After touring the grounds, you reach the Education Center, an extensive museum dedicated to Washington’s life. Incredibly, forensic exhibits show how researchers collected information to accurately visualize Washington’s features when he was much younger.

The displays chronicle his life with hands on features like light-up maps and question/answer boards. Video displays tell a bit more of the story with dramatic renactments.

Our favorite part of the Education Center is the kids’ room. Primarily for 2-8 year olds, this spot is a complete hands-on experience. While your kids play with the toys, games, puzzles, books, a dedicated staff member is available to guide children to various activities. At certain times of day there are special activities, too. I only regretted that there is a 20-minute limit to how long kids can play in the exhibit; I am sure this is necessary for crowded days. Our boys got a huge kick out of playing with the Washington family dolls in the replica Mount Vernon dollhouse! (Hubby said to call them “action figures” haha).

The museum store is one of the best I’ve seen. The museum has selected items relevant to the history of Mount Vernon, George Washington, and the era. The historic accuracy extends to food, as evidenced by the historic American Heritage Historic Chocolate! I loved seeing the display of these unique chocolates in the store! (Read more about their historic chocolate recipe here).

Mount Vernon is a spot you could easily spend an entire day visiting. Thankfully, they have a restaurant and a food court!

To leave you with a little flavor of George Washington’s time, I’ve created this snack cookie recipe for your next road trip. These granola-bar cookies are perfect for packing along on picnics and road trips. And, they give a little nod to George Washington and his time!

Chocolate Cherry Granola Cookie Recipe

The result is a hearty cookie that holds together fairly well for traveling. American Heritage Historic Chocolate, with its carefully researched blend of spices, adds all the flavor this cookie needs!

Please stop by George Washington’s Mount Vernon if you’re ever in the area. It’s such a historical treat! Be inspired to try this cookie recipe, or invent one of your own!

American Heritage Historic Chocolate sponsored this post, and I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.