WHAT

Rickhouse

WHERE

Mount Vernon, Virginia

WHEN

On Hold

Located within the historic grounds of Mount Vernon in Virginia, this new rickhouse and tasting barn is designed to support the estate’s legacy of spirits production while remaining visually and materially consistent with its 18th-century context. Sited in a natural clearing near the historic stables, the structure is carefully integrated into the landscape to minimize disruption to the wooded environment and to preserve the historic character of the site.

The rickhouse will serve as a functional storage facility for aging barrels of rye whiskey produced at Mount Vernon’s restored distillery, which continues to operate using historically accurate methods from George Washington’s era. In addition to its storage role, the building houses a single barrel bottling line and a modest tasting space, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the distillation process in a setting that honors the estate’s agricultural heritage.

Architecturally, the barn is designed to reflect the scale, proportions, and materials of adjacent agricultural buildings on the estate. Utilizing traditional timber framing, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof, the rickhouse is both durable and historically sympathetic. Natural ventilation and thoughtful daylighting help maintain the optimal environment for barrel aging while enhancing the building’s simplicity and authenticity.

This project underscores Mount Vernon’s commitment to preserving and interpreting its agricultural and distilling history while meeting the operational needs of a working estate. By blending seamlessly into its surroundings and echoing the vernacular architecture of the region, the new rickhouse supports the estate’s mission to educate, inspire, and authentically connect visitors with the legacy of George Washington.