Editor’s Note: As the two-hundred-sixty-ninth anniversary of the skirmish of Jumonville Glen approaches this Sunday, May 28th, some recent and exciting discoveries have occurred at the battlefield. The National Park Service (NPS) released an announcement this week stating that after a four-week archeological investigation, objects have been found to verify the location of the first … Continue reading “To Rendezvous at Fredericksburgh”: The Washington-Lewis Family, Fredericksburg, and the World War of 1754-1763: Part I
2023 Ferry Farm Dig Preview
Spring is here, which means another season of exciting archaeological work at Ferry Farm is about to begin! Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington, has been conducting archaeological investigations for over 30 years with the aim of recreating and analyzing the 18th-century farm landscape that shaped George Washington during his formative years as … Continue reading 2023 Ferry Farm Dig Preview
Bane of the Washington Family Part I: The Disease
Epidemics and pandemics loom large in history. Few have not heard of the Black Death or Spanish Flu, and Covid-19 still affects our lives. Short, two to three-year outbreaks of these diseases kill quickly and in staggering numbers, but what about the diseases that have stuck around throughout history and brought about death in a … Continue reading Bane of the Washington Family Part I: The Disease
Stay Informed About Historical Undergarments
You have probably seen an enormous amount of corsetry imagery in your life. Whether it was the scene in Gone with the Wind where Mammy is lacing Scarlet into her corset as she holds onto the bedpost or a social media post about waist training using a modern piece of shapewear. Needless to say, you … Continue reading Stay Informed About Historical Undergarments
Wrap Up of 2022 Dig!
At the beginning of our 2022 dig, we were working with the assumption that a colonial-era building was located at the edge of our excavation site at Ferry Farm, the Boyhood Home of George Washington. At the southeastern edge of the work yard, four post-holes had been found and excavated during previous projects. All were … Continue reading Wrap Up of 2022 Dig!
Cooking up holiday treats: Gingerbread and Flip
This year at our annual Twelfth-Night celebrations, visitors could enter the kitchen for a short lecture and demonstration. The archaeology and curatorial teams gave the talks to explain two important food items that play a part in Kenmore's history and the holiday, gingerbread and flip. Our first demonstration was done by Emma Schlauder, Research Archaeologist … Continue reading Cooking up holiday treats: Gingerbread and Flip
Mending Practice at Ferry Farm’s Archaeology Lab: A Photo Journal
If you visited Ferry Farm on October 21, 2022, you may have heard a loud crash coming from the archaeology lab - don’t worry, it was on purpose! During my fall semester internship at the Ferry Farm Archaeology Department, I had the pleasure of learning how to mend ceramic vessels, and like any skill, practice … Continue reading Mending Practice at Ferry Farm’s Archaeology Lab: A Photo Journal
A Short and Sweet History of the Gingerbread House
If you visit George Washington's Ferry Farm this December, you'll be greeted by the sweet smell of spiced gingerbread as soon as you walk through the door! During our annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit, our gallery space is transformed into a showroom with entries reflecting this year's theme: "architectural wonders of the world." Unlike … Continue reading A Short and Sweet History of the Gingerbread House
Horror Artifacts of Ferry Farm: Myth, Disease, Vampires, and Dolls
With Halloween just around the corner, we thought we would take our readers behind the scenes to look at some of the creepiest and macabre artifacts we have uncovered at Ferry Farm. Some may seem like obvious choices, but others have hidden connections and meanings. Be sure to let us know your favorite in the … Continue reading Horror Artifacts of Ferry Farm: Myth, Disease, Vampires, and Dolls
To Instruct and Amuse: Fun & Games in George’s Day
The fall season at George Washington's Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore is finally upon us! This is a busy time of year for the education team because as cooler temperatures roll in, so do the school buses! Students who take field trips to our sites learn about the Washington and Lewis families, archaeology, and daily … Continue reading To Instruct and Amuse: Fun & Games in George’s Day
Lives & Legacies 