Looking back in time, people’s personal hygiene, fashion choices, medical treatments, and more can seem disgusting. When confronted with gross practices, our first reaction can be to dismiss our ancestors as primitive, ignorant, or just silly. Before such judgments, however, we should try to understand the reasons behind these practices and recognize that our own … Continue reading Colonial Grossology [Video]
Playing Around: 20th Century Die-Cast Toys Excavated at Ferry Farm
A lot of people don’t realize how many 20th century artifacts we excavate at George Washington’s Ferry Farm. Up until the 1990s, families lived and farmed on the property, leaving tens of thousands of artifacts behind. Some of our favorite modern artifacts are the toys we recover, whether marbles, plastic army and cowboy figurines, doll … Continue reading Playing Around: 20th Century Die-Cast Toys Excavated at Ferry Farm
Maritime History at Kenmore & Ferry Farm
Today – September 30 – is World Maritime Day. The United Nations and the International Maritime Organization created World Maritime Day in 1978 “to celebrate the international maritime industry’s contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in shipping.” "The South East Prospect of London from the Tower to London Bridge" (1746) by John Maurer. Credit: Royal … Continue reading Maritime History at Kenmore & Ferry Farm
“Have you found anything today?”: A Review of the 2021 Archaeological Excavation at Ferry Farm
“Have you found anything today?” was (and always is) the most-asked question posed by our daily visitors who stopped by our archaeological site at George Washington's Ferry Farm this summer. Everyone wants to understand what is going on in the very large square hole we have made in the lawn. “Yes, we find something every … Continue reading “Have you found anything today?”: A Review of the 2021 Archaeological Excavation at Ferry Farm
A Day in the Life of a Historic Interpreter at Ferry Farm [Video]
In this video, we meet historic interpreter Gary Haynes and follow him during his workday at George Washington's Ferry Farm. https://youtu.be/Pq8vSn6p2TQ
A National Treasure’s Life: A History of The Declaration of Independence
Join us for our first Movie on the Lawn event at Historic Kenmore on Friday, September 17 as we show National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage and the Declaration of Independence! FACT: George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring used codes, ciphers, and invisible ink (among other tactics) to outwit the British during the American Revolution. FICTION: There … Continue reading A National Treasure’s Life: A History of The Declaration of Independence
“Mark’d with Gunpowder”: Tattoos in Early America
Recently, I came across an interesting notice in an early edition of the Virginia Gazette. On June 9, 1738, Augustine Washington, George Washington’s father, placed a notice in the newspaper about one of his indentured servants running away. The notice read… “RAN away from Capt. McCarty’s Plantation, on Pope’s Creek, in Westmoreland County, a Servant … Continue reading “Mark’d with Gunpowder”: Tattoos in Early America
A Day at the Dig at George Washington’s Ferry Farm [Video]
In this video, spend a day with the archaeologists digging at George Washington's Ferry Farm this summer. https://youtu.be/bX-sK0Hlyyg
The Flora and Fauna of Ferry Farm [Photos]
On a recent summer Saturday morning, a group of photographers came to George Washington’s Ferry Farm for a hike on the trails around the property. A lot of wildlife call Ferry Farm home, and we hoped to capture some of it. We saw many birds, a turtle, and a rabbit eating breakfast in the grass … Continue reading The Flora and Fauna of Ferry Farm [Photos]
We’re Still Digging!: An Update on 2021’s Archaeological Excavation at Ferry Farm [Photos]
The 2021 archaeological dig season at George Washington’s Ferry Farm is over two-thirds complete. Here’s a collection of photos taken in the field of a few artifacts discovered thus far. You can read an overview of our expectations and goals for this year’s dig here. Visitors can ask archaeologists questions and observe their work Monday … Continue reading We’re Still Digging!: An Update on 2021’s Archaeological Excavation at Ferry Farm [Photos]
