New finding of old bottles at Mount Vernon a cherry surprise for all

NEWS AND OPINION:

The privately funded $40 million Mansion Revitalization Project continues at George Washington’s Mount Vernon — the first president’s historic home 8 miles down the Potomac River from the nation’s capital.

Archaeologists have made “a significant discovery” in the cellar of the landmark site: a pair of intact European-manufactured bottles in the cellar of the landmark residents.

“The dark green glass bottles were found upright and sealed, each containing liquid. The bottle shapes are characteristic of styles from the 1740s - 1750s and were recovered from a pit where they may have been forgotten and eventually buried beneath a brick floor laid in the 1770s,” according to information shared with Inside the Beltway.

“As we conduct a historic preservation effort at the iconic home of America’s first President and revolutionary hero, we have been deliberate and intentional about carefully excavating areas of potential disruption,” said Mount Vernon President and CEO Doug Bradburn in a written statement.

“Consequently, we have made a number of useful discoveries including this blockbuster find of two fully intact glass bottles containing liquid that have not been seen since before the war for American independence,” he said.

“This discovery comes at the beginning of an exciting and transformational project to strengthen and restore the home of the nation’s first president so that it will be stronger than ever when we celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026. This historic preservation project is our birthday gift to America,” Mr. Bradburn said.

Curious about the aforementioned mystery liquid?

“After the bottles were unearthed, each was carefully removed and transported to the Mount Vernon archaeology lab. Upon consultation with archaeological conservators, it was determined that removing the liquid contents would help stabilize the glass, which had not been directly exposed to the atmosphere for approximately two centuries. Cherries, including stems and pits, were preserved within the liquid contents, which still bore the characteristic scent of cherry blossoms familiar to residents of the region during the spring season,” the news release stated.

UNEXPECTED DAMAGE

“The migration of hundreds of thousands of people through Central America to the United States is changing the environment before our very eyes. And it is only getting worse,” said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

“The Darien Gap, a once remote patch of rainforest straddling the borders of Panama and Colombia, is reeling from the damage caused by hundreds of thousands of migrants hiking through it on their way to our southern border,” he said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

“The number of migrants traversing the Darien Gap has increased dramatically in the past three years. In 2020, the Panamanian government estimated that 6,000 migrants traversed it. In 2021, those numbers grew to 133,000. In 2022, the number was over 250,000 and in 2023, over 500,000 migrants traversed the Darien Gap, destroying its delicate ecosystem and threatening the region’s rare animals,” Mr. Stein continued.

“The effect illegal immigration has on our environment is often overlooked but illegal migration is literally changing the world as we know it, with irreversible dire consequences,” he said.

“In addition to threatening animals on the edge of extinction, mass illegal migration puts pressure on our nation’s already finite natural resources. It contributes to urban sprawl which consumes the United States landscape while sharply increasing housing prices. And with many migrants coming in all at once, it burdens the U.S. power grid and increases our carbon footprint and pollution levels,” Mr. Stein said.

“And let’s not forget the pollutants generated by migrant camps from toxic human waste and litter that infiltrates our country’s rivers and streams,” he added.

Find this active organization at Fairus.org.

TRIAL BY MEDIA

So former President Donald Trump is back in the courtroom and his trial has begun. The unprecedented occasion has given the news media much to talk about — and the coverage itself has been subject to interpretation. A few headlines of note:

“Why Donald Trump trial’s first witness could destroy his defense” (Newsweek); “Donald Trump already won his Supreme Court immunity case” (Vox); “Prosecutors to make history with opening statements in hush money case against Trump” (The Philadelphia Inquirer); “Devastating: Legal experts say first Trump trial witness sitting on dynamite evidence” (Salon.com); “Trump’s $175 million bond goes before judge on New York AG’s concerns” (Reuters); “Unprecedented case could test limits of justice system” (The New York Times); “Trump doesn’t mince words on unprecedented criminal case as opening statements kick off” (Boston Herald); and “Trump avoids challenge to $175M bond in civil fraud case” (ABC News).

NEWS FROM ODNI

Director of National Intelligence Avril D. Haines has issued the following statement regarding President Biden’s intent to nominate Brad Wiegmann as general counsel for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence — or ODNI for short.

“The President’s nominee, Brad Wiegmann, has years of experience serving as legal counsel across the U.S. government in a range of critical senior roles, including as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice; Assistant Legal Advisor at the Department of State; Deputy Legal Advisor at the National Security Council; and Special Counsel to the General Counsel at the Department of Defense. Additionally, in private practice, Brad has worked on civil litigation,” Ms. Haines said.

“Brad’s knowledge, breadth of experience, intellect, and exceptional integrity make him an ideal choice for ODNI’s General Counsel position,” she said.

MILITARY JOURNALISTS WANTED

Let’s spend time with Military Veterans in Journalism, a nonprofit group that seeks to get more vets in the news media field — and for good reason.

“Military veterans are vastly underrepresented in our nation’s newsrooms. While about 7% of Americans have served in the armed forces, only 2% of media workers are military veterans, according to U.S. Census data,” the organization says in its mission statement.

“Veterans bring perspective, nuanced understanding and on-the-ground experience about the military and veteran affairs that ultimately benefits newsrooms and news consumers,” the group states.

There are significant fellowships, mentorships and internships for vets interested in the media — often a battlefield of a different sort, so to speak. Time, however, is of the essence.

“Just under one week remains to apply for our remote, full-time, paid fellowship opportunities with the USA Today Network. Don’t miss your chance to make your mark and learn from some top-notch journalists within this national news network,” the organization tells prospective applicants.

Four military veteran journalists will be selected for paid fellowships.

“The available opportunities are for a Trending Reporter Fellow, a Wellness Reporter Fellow, an Audience Growth and Engagement Fellow, and an Opinion Columnist Fellow. These opportunities are perfect for veterans who are up-and-coming journalists seeking to receive six months of paid journalistic employment and growing their skills and connections,” the organization says.

Find the information — and the fast approaching deadlines for applications — at MVJ.Network. Check under the Programs heading for details.

POLL DU JOUR

• 75% of U.S. adults plan to take a road trip this summer.

• 21% plan to take a road trip within 100 miles of their home.

• 21% plan to take a road trip of 100 to 250 miles of their home.

• 19% plan a road trip of 250 to 500 miles of their home.

• 8% plan a road trip of 500 to 1,000 miles of their home.

• 6% plan a road trip of more than 1,000 miles from their home.

SOURCE: The 2024 Summer Travel Survey of 1,066 U.S. adults conducted online March 27 by The Vacationer.com.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook at @HarperUniverse. Contact her at jharper@washingtontimes.com. And thank you for reading Inside the Beltway,