Principal photography of Pursuit of Honor: The Rise of George Washington began in January 2005 and wrapped in June 2006. In the span of 16 months, Paladin shot about 50 hours of raw footage in several of America's most precious Colonial-era sites, walking in the footsteps of George Washington. Locations included the Allegheny Mountains, Braddock’s Road, Colonial Williamsburg’s Hall of Burgesses, Governor's Palace, and Raleigh Tavern, the historic Wren Building at the College of William & Mary, the Carlyle House in Alexandria, Virginia, Georgetown’s Tudor Place, and the mansion and farmlands at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens.

Historical accuracy was assured by constant reference to George Washington’s own writing, and to the involvement of America’s foremost authorities on Washington.  These include:

• Peter Henriques, author of Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington.
• Patricia Brady, author of Martha Washington: An American Life.
• Fred Anderson, author of Crucible of War and The Dominion of War.
• Stephen Brumwell, author of Redcoats and Paths of Glory.
• Dennis Pogue, associate director of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens.
• Bruce Egli, colonial historian.

The French & Indian War battle known as Braddock’s Defeat, a watershed event in Washington’s life, was recreated with unparalleled realism in the forests of Western Pennsylvania, 30 miles from the site of the actual battle. Here, as depicted in Pursuit of Honor, Washington became known as “bulletproof” for escaping a storm of lead that cut down more than half of Braddock’s army, including nearly all the 60-plus officers in the field that day.
The lives of George and Martha Washington and her children Jack and Patsy were recreated onsite at Mount Vernon, Virginia, and at the historic Carlyle House in Alexandria Virginia, home of Washington’s friend and Fairfax family member John Carlyle.

The opulent life of the Fairfaxes, patrons of Washington, was recreated at historic—and haunted—Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Here were shot scenes of Washington’s flirtation with Sally Fairfax—the wife of Washington’s best friend.

Washington's political life was recreated on location at Colonial Williamsburg and at the College of William & Mary--where George Washington once served as chancellor.

The on-camera commentary of historian Patricia Brady was recorded at Tudor Place, home of Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Martha Custis Peter.

A historic log cabin on the grounds of the Greene County Historical Society in Southwestern Pennsylvania stood in for George Washington’s French & Indian War headquarters in Winchester, Virginia.

The scenic, snowcovered Allegheny Mountains portrayed themselves in the production—the very same ground covered by George Washington in his youth.