George Washington's Birthday

George Washington's birthplace - the original site is in the foreground

Today is a federal holiday, but you would be making a mistake if you thought it was Presidents Day. Officially, it is George Washington's Birthday. The retail world would like you to believe it is Presidents Day so they can relieve you of  hard-earned cash by compelling you to buy something "on sale," a something that is more likely to be a want than a need. All retail ranting aside, this is a day to remember a rather remarkable man for his time. Learn more about him at the following sources:

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum, and Gardens

Washington Monument

George Washington Masonic Memorial


In 1747, when Washington was 15 years old, he accompanied his friend, George William Fairfax, on a surveying expedition to the Virginia - now West Virginia - frontier and the headwaters of Patterson Creek, a tributary of the South Branch of the Potomac River. OTR got to know a thousand feet of Patterson Creek intimately over the span of  a quarter century. The creek was a great source of recreation, leisure, study and contemplation. It was a powerful force in shaping his future. He learned of Washington's trip there long after he'd left the place, but he still thinks about what it would have been like sitting on the creek bank in 1960 and suddenly seeing a teenage boy in colonial dress come slogging around the bend. The creek still talks about their imaginary conversation. If you listen carefully you can hear both.