Back in late February, staff revamped the orientation exhibit in the visitors center at George Washington’s Ferry Farm.  The new exhibit called The Science of History at Ferry Farm tells the story of how archaeologists and historians discovered the location of the Washington family home using, in some cases, the latest scientific techniques.  It includes a variety of artifacts recovered from the house site.  This team effort involved members of the Curatorial, Archaeology, and Buildings and Grounds departments.  These photos present a glimpse behind-the-scenes into how an museum exhibit gets put together.

The process begins with a fresh coat of paint in the gallery space.

Archaeology and curatorial staff prepare objects to be moved from their temproary display case into the new exhibit area.

Staff wear white cotton gloves to protect the artifacts from damaging oils on their hands.

These objects form the part of the exhibit that explains how colonial people made glues to mend their ceramics. Several pieces of Mary Washington’s ceramics excavated at Ferry Farm have glue residue on them.

George oversees the work.

Glass covers await to be reunited with the display cases.

Moving the exhibit display cases.

Proofing the new exhibit text a final time before hanging.

New vs. old

Sometimes every surface becomes a work space.

To-Do-List. Don’t forget LUNCH!!

Almost there.

Here come the objects and artifacts.

Placing the objects back on display.

All finished!