A quick post today because everyone here at The George Washington Foundation are busily preparing for The Fourth of July at Ferry Farm this Saturday!

Still, we did have a bit of time to take a quick look through the archives for some images of celebrations in Fredericksburg’s past.  First, we share a few 90-year-old newspaper clippings about the “Colonial Pageant” held in May 1925 to dedicate Kenmore as a historic house museum.  You can read more about efforts in the 1920s to save the house here.

We also found snapshots of some fascinating floats that formed part of a parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Fredericksburg back in 1921.  Unfortunately, we do not yet know all that much about the organizations or groups that made these floats or who is in these photos.  Regardless, it’s interesting to see that float-building traditions haven’t changed terribly much since the Jazz Age.

This year, we hope you will Celebrate Independence Day with us at the place where George Washington spent his boyhood years. Our theme – “Let Freedom Ring” – honors home and country with a variety of activities and entertainment for the entire family.

From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, you can visit the Washington house archaeology site and learn about Phase 1 construction at Ferry Farm, enjoy a patriotic flag retirement ceremony, interact with colonial and Civil War re-enactors, visit with members of the Patawomeck tribe, and participate in educational programs, crafts and games, and hands-on activities for the whole family, including a July Fourth hat contest!  Learn more about Ferry Farm’s Independence Day celebration at http://kenmore.org/events.html.

Heather Baldus
Collections Manager

Zac Cunningham
Manager of Educational Programs