It’s easy to take our refrigerators for granted. There they sit in our kitchens quietly keeping our food safe to eat and making our lives quite easy. It may be difficult to imagine but a large percentage of time on an 18th century homestead such as George Washington’s Ferry Farm was spent preserving food for … Continue reading No Refrigerator? No Problem!: Preserving and Storing Meat in the 1700s
A Thimble of My Love
Thimbles were once a popular token of affection given to ladies by family members, close acquaintances, or sanguine suitors. These essential tools formed an ideal gift for a beloved family member or an appropriate token of affection during those early, initial stages of a budding romance. They were considered a less intimate gift than perfume … Continue reading A Thimble of My Love
Video: The Rooms at Ferry Farm – A Furnishings Update
In this video, Curator Meghan Budinger shows us early arrivals among the reproduction furniture to go into the reconstructed Washington house at George Washington's Ferry Farm.
The Lewis Ships That Sailed the Atlantic World
George Washington’s Ferry Farm is located on a hill overlooking the Rappahannock River. That river connects to the Chesapeake Bay and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. When young George Washington lived at Ferry Farm, the Rappahannock was a gateway to the entire world. Fredericksburg was a port town on the river’s opposite bank from the farm … Continue reading The Lewis Ships That Sailed the Atlantic World
Why Were There Weird Animal Feet on 18th Century Furniture?
As more of reproduction furnishings for the Washington house get underway, I thought I might address one of the more notable characteristics of the pieces: their feet. Anyone familiar with antique furniture has noticed the sometimes rather odd appearance of foot shapes at the end of table and chair legs. We have a variety of … Continue reading Why Were There Weird Animal Feet on 18th Century Furniture?
The Fly …uh, Snail… in the Ointment …Pot
It’s flu season again. And for most of us who get sick that means a trip to the doctor, perhaps some prescribed medicines, and lots of rest. But what did George Washington do when he got sick? Although most of us likely think of our first president as perpetually healthy and strong, he was actually … Continue reading The Fly …uh, Snail… in the Ointment …Pot
Photos: “Twelfth Night at Kenmore” 2018
Each January, Historic Kenmore presents Twelfth Night at Kenmore, a dramatic theater presentation that imagines the first Christmas that Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis spent in their newly built home. The play is set in January 1776 and that year is not a time for the usual celebration. War brings fear, doubt, and frustration to the Lewis family and their friends. … Continue reading Photos: “Twelfth Night at Kenmore” 2018
When Christmas Wasn’t for Kids
Picture it. No Santa. No Christmas tree. No big-ticket Christmas present. No little Susie or Bobby up to their eyes in wrapping paper, as their parents snap a photo of every gift they unwrap. To die-hard Christmas fans today, this sounds like a nightmare. Where is the wonder and joy? Where is the standing in … Continue reading When Christmas Wasn’t for Kids
Photos: The GWF’s Delightful December
The George Washington Foundation wishes everyone a joyous holiday season! Enjoy these from our month of festive happenings and decorations at George Washington’s Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore. There will still be time to see Kenmore and Ferry Farm adorned for the season and delight in each site’s annual display of dollhouses, miniatures, and gingerbread creations … Continue reading Photos: The GWF’s Delightful December
The Wine Bottle: Ubiquitous and Informative
Ah, the humble wine bottle. There are few historical archaeological sites without them and Ferry Farm is no exception. Our current mending project has produced about a dozen wine bottles from one Washington house cellar feature alone. Readily identifiable because their form has changed little in the past 250 years, these beauties are sometimes overlooked … Continue reading The Wine Bottle: Ubiquitous and Informative
Lives & Legacies 