In a revelation that has left historians and fruity enthusiasts equally delighted, archaeologists have unearthed 35 glass bottles filled with cherries and berries from the cellar of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. It seems the Father of Our Country was also the father of a serious jam addiction.

Of the 35 bottles discovered, a remarkable 29 were found intact, defying more than two centuries of time and tempting us to consider whether George Washington had a secret life as a colonial canner (CBS, June 14, 2024).

The discovery emerged from ongoing renovation projects at Mount Vernon, where the bottles were nested in five storage pits deep within the mansion's cellar, adding historical gravitas to the phrase "hidden treasures." (CNN, June 15, 2024). Doug Bradburn, President of Mount Vernon, aptly described this find as a "spectacular and unprecedented archaeological discovery," showing the kind of enthusiasm one expects from unearthing an Aldi's no-sugar-added lineup from 1776 (CBS, June 14, 2024).

Interestingly, this fruity bombshell landed just before the United States' 250th anniversary, illuminating the hidden ingredients of America's nascent pantry. Initially, only two bottles were stumbled upon in April, but it seems those were but the appetizers before unearthing the main course (CBS, June 14, 2024).

Initial analysis revealed the contents to be no less inviting: 54 cherry pits and 23 stems, giving modern archaeologists a share of Washington's cherry-pitting woes (CNN, June 15, 2024). In addition to cherries, the bottles housed gooseberries and currants, indicating that colonial America took its fruit preserves quite seriously—or maybe that Washington just really loved his fruit (CBS, June 14, 2024).

These finds are significant for their ability to shed light on 18th-century environments, plantation foodways, and, interestingly, the origins of American cuisine. The acidic composition of the tart cherries likely aided in their impressive preservation, leaving experts both amazed and hungry (CNN, June 15, 2024).

Adding another layer of sophistication to this already titillating historical story is the possibility that these cherries—thanks to advanced DNA extraction techniques—could one day be germinated. Imagine tasting cherries that George Washington himself may have nibbled while pondering the Revolution. Investors in farmers' markets, take note: "Washington's Orchard" might just become a future product line (CBS, June 14, 2024).

Mount Vernon has indeed partnered with the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service for further analysis, cementing this fruity escapade as not only a culinary but also a scientific endeavor (CNN, June 15, 2024).

One can only hope that along with the bottles, Doug Bradburn and his team might discover a secret 18th-century recipe tucked away in George's notes. Until then, let us savor this historical morsel and imagine a time when cherry preserves were a matter of both domestic and (now) historical significance. It turns out George Washington wasn't just good for leading a country; he was pretty good for a jam session, too.