Mount Vernon Estate’s horticulturist, J. Dean Norton, with his family in front of the new barn. Joining him are, from left, daughter Isabelle Norton, daughter Zipporah Norton, wife Susanne Schrage-Norton, daughter Tallulah Norton, and daughter Penelope Norton. Photo by Jerry Fill.
Touted as a “Barn Warming Celebration,” the Mount Vernon Ladies Association event on Friday, June 21, accomplished multiple objectives and achieved all of them at the same time. The Mount Vernon Estate completed and celebrated what could be considered a state-of-the-art livestock barn, complete with all the accoutrements of modern-day barn design, showcasing the grand opening of George Washington’s new livestock facilities.
In addition to a successful fundraising effort, the event featured a bluegrass band, line dancing lessons for interested guests, a barn dance, and a buffet-style barbecue.
The Ladies Association also showcased perhaps the one celebration that exceeded all the others: Recognizing the work and dedication of one of its own, J. Dean Norton, who began his career at Mount Vernon at the age of 16, on June 23, 1969, and is still at it some 50 years later. In that time he became the Estate’s horticulturist and won numerous awards for his outstanding horticultural work.