Answer Man Unveils the Tale Behind a Mannequin and His Horse

Once the horse was in place, the figure of Washington (made by Studio EIS of Brooklyn) was lowered onto it.

The entire taxidermy process took about three weeks. The result is an incredibly lifelike horse, even if it is a bit smaller than Frank would have liked. "Honestly, I was looking for one with a bigger, heavier neck, more of a war horse." But when you're dependent on the random mortality of Amish farm horses, you take what you can get.

Frank's five-person company has done many museum installations as well as the trophy rooms of big-game hunters. It also did the mule that's a few feet away from George and Blueskin at Mount Vernon. It, too, came from Amish country.

Now is a great time to visit Washington's plantation home. Not only is it decorated for Christmas, but there are special holiday-related events on tap, including chocolate-making demonstrations, a massive gingerbread replica of the mansion made by former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier and a live camel. The "Christmas camel" was inspired by one that Washington paid to have brought to Mount Vernon in 1787 to entertain his guests.

Answer Man asked Frank if he'd ever stuffed a camel. Naturally, he has.

Have You Made Your Donation Yet?

Donated yet? If not, there's no time like the present. Write a check or money order payable to "Children's Hospital" and mail it to Washington Post Campaign, P.O. Box 17390, Baltimore, Md. 21297-1390.

To donate online using a credit card, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/childrenshospital.

To contribute by phone using Visa or MasterCard, call 202-334-5100 and follow the instructions on the recording.

Answer Man cannot tell a lie: He needs your questions. Send them to answerman@washpost.com.