This summer out on the dig site, one of our archaeology interns sometimes wore a t-shirt that read "archaeologist (n): one who digs history." In this album, you'll see this year's excavation crew -- field director Steve Lenik, assistant field director Elyse Adams, interns Reagan Andersen, Cheyenne Johnson, and Aileen Kelly, and field school students … Continue reading Archaeologists Dig History! [Photos]
We Really Dig History!: This Summer’s Excavations at Ferry Farm
Archaeological excavations at George Washington’s Ferry Farm have occurred nearly every summer since The George Washington Foundation purchased the property in 1996. The summer of 2017, when the majority of the replica Washington house construction was underway, was the major exception. The archaeological site was proved too close to ongoing construction so excavations were put … Continue reading We Really Dig History!: This Summer’s Excavations at Ferry Farm
The Tale of the “Black Dogg”
The heavily worn coin, known as a “black dogg” and pictured above, is a unique archaeological find at George Washington's Ferry Farm. It was originally circulated in the French Caribbean and certainly traveled some distance to find its way to British Virginia. The coin may have traveled this distance in the pocket of a sailor … Continue reading The Tale of the “Black Dogg”
Archaeology Camp at Ferry Farm 2018 [Photos]
Last week, George Washington’s Ferry Farm hosted Archaeology Camp for ages 9-12. From digging, washing, and mending “artifacts” that they “excavated” in educational mock digs at Ferry Farm, campers learned about the entire archaeology process and the importance of archaeology to history. They also visited the archaeology laboratory for a behind-the-scenes tour and learned about … Continue reading Archaeology Camp at Ferry Farm 2018 [Photos]
Photos: The Fourth of July at Ferry Farm 2018
Scenes from last week’s Independence Day celebration at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Read "Celebrating the Fourth and what makes America great" by Kristin Davis for The Free Lance-Star about the Ferry Farm and other area celebrations.
The Mystery of the Mane Comb
Before there were planes, trains, and automobiles, and other engine-driven devices, people of the 18th, 19th and early-20th centuries used horses, mules, and other four-legged draft animals to transport themselves, pull their wagons and carriages, and help manage the chores of farm and rural life. Just like the time and expense we currently spend on … Continue reading The Mystery of the Mane Comb
Why Did Yankee Doodle Call a Feather “Macaroni”?
In honor of the Independence Day, I want to talk about a pressing question I had as a child pertaining to one of our most popular patriotic songs "Yankee Doodle". We all know the first verse. Yankee Doodle went to town A-riding on a pony, Stuck a feather in his cap And called it macaroni. … Continue reading Why Did Yankee Doodle Call a Feather “Macaroni”?
Last Year’s Fabulous Fourth at Ferry Farm [Photos]
One week from today, celebrate Independence Day at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Tour the replica Washington house, learn about this summer's archaeology dig, enjoy a patriotic flag retirement ceremony, interact with colonial and Civil War reenactors as well as members of the Patawomeck tribe, listen to festive music, view living history demonstrations and theatre performances, … Continue reading Last Year’s Fabulous Fourth at Ferry Farm [Photos]
Happily Ever After at Happy Retreat
At George Washington’s Ferry Farm, most of our thinking, research, and writing is focused on the best known and most significant of all Americans, George Washington. But George was not the only Washington to live at Ferry Farm nor was he even the only Washington boy to grow up on this land along the Rappahannock … Continue reading Happily Ever After at Happy Retreat
Primary Sources: Interpreting the Past in the Present
At George Washington’s Ferry Farm, we focus on archaeology as one way to learn about both the Washingtons and the other people who lived and worked on this landscape. We rely on archaeology because many of these residents did not leave behind documentary primary sources for us to study. A primary source is a “letter, … Continue reading Primary Sources: Interpreting the Past in the Present
Lives & Legacies 