Washington’s 1791 Southern Tour

On the night of 9 June 1791, during his southern tour of the United States, Pres. George Washington stayed here at Jerdone Castle as the guest of Sarah Jerdone. Washington, then in his first term, understood his role as the singular unifying figure in the new nation. He resolved to visit each state to gauge public opinion, better understand regional differences, and bolster support for the federal government. He toured the South with a staff of eight men, riding on hazardous, poorly marked roads in a carriage pulled by four horses. Away from the nation's capital for 3.5 months, he covered nearly 1,900 miles and visited seven states, including Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia.