Originally, this post was going to explore colonial America’s fear and fascination with lightning and the practical tools created to help prevent destructive lightning damage. During my research, however, I encountered a tale about Mary Ball Washington and a close encounter with lightning that supposedly traumatized her for the rest of her life. If true, … Continue reading The Legend of Mary Washington and the Deadly Lightning Strike
George Washington’s Ferry Farm: An Aerial View [Video]
Aerial footage shot Joe Brooks of EagleOne Aerial Photography: https://www.facebook.com/EagleOnePhotos. To learn more about George Washington's Ferry Farm, visit http://ferryfarm.org/.
George’s First Job
When visitors come to George Washington’s Ferry Farm, they can stand in what were once the fields of the Washington family’s farm, where they grew tobacco and other crops. While living here, Augustine Washington, George’s father, taught his sons – George, Samuel, John Augustine, and Charles – to see opportunity in land. Growing up at … Continue reading George’s First Job
Ferry Farm’s Bird Life: An Update
Between September 2017 and February 2019, the Fredericksburg Birding Club (FBC) conducted 12 bird surveys at George Washington’s Ferry Farm. We did three in spring, one in summer, three in fall, and five in winter. During that time, we saw 78 of the 136 species listed in the “Checklist of Birds at Ferry Farm” pamphlet … Continue reading Ferry Farm’s Bird Life: An Update
All About Mary’s New “Old” Desk
Another new piece of furniture has arrived at the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Introducing the “Old Desk,” as listed in the "Parlour" on Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory. This desk was copied from an original piece in the collections of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation that dates to ca. 1710-1730, making it one … Continue reading All About Mary’s New “Old” Desk
I Cannot Tell a Lie But I Can Tell a Fable: Aesop’s Fables and the Cherry Tree Tale
If you’ve been to Historic Kenmore, you’ve likely been awestruck at the beauty of the plaster ceilings throughout the first floor. Although the identity of “The Stucco Man” is lost to history, he left behind a lesson above the fireplace in the Dining Room. The plaster work inlay there depicts several stories from Aesop’s fables, … Continue reading I Cannot Tell a Lie But I Can Tell a Fable: Aesop’s Fables and the Cherry Tree Tale
George Washington’s Birthday at Ferry Farm 2019 [Photos]
Presidents’ Day is always a celebratory one at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Once again this year, George’s boyhood home marked his 287th birthday this past Monday, February 18. A special thank you to the sponsor of the George Washington's Birthday at Ferry Farm event: Peoples Community Bank.
“Ya Basic”: Washington and “The Bread and Butter Ball”
It was in February 1760 that George and Martha attended a ball that fell short of his expectations. As he somewhat whimsically recorded in his diary, the tables lacked linen, beverages were watered down, and the food offered compared to basic prison fare. In today’s slang, George might characterize the uninspiring party as, “Ya Basic,” … Continue reading “Ya Basic”: Washington and “The Bread and Butter Ball”
The Hazards of Winter in Washington’s Day
Many people find winter miserable. It can be hard dealing with freezing temperatures, inclement weather, and long nights. With much of the nation experiencing record-breaking cold and windchills today and the current temperature at George Washington's Ferry Farm as we publish this post only 20 degrees Fahrenheit. it may not feel like it but our … Continue reading The Hazards of Winter in Washington’s Day
The President’s Cough
“The day being Rainy & Stormy – myself much disordered by a cold and inflammation in the left eye, I was prevented from visiting Lexington (where the first blood in the dispute with Great Britain) was drawn.” – George Washington, October 26, 1789 The sounds of sniffling, hacking, and sneezing, are everywhere, whether at a … Continue reading The President’s Cough
Lives & Legacies 