George Washington’s Ferry Farm is busy reconstructing the Washington House and, behind the scenes, we are equally busy creating educational and interpretive activities to take place inside and outside the house. One common colonial chore you may eventually see being done outside the house is laundry. While doing laundry is still part of our routines, … Continue reading Good Clean Fun: An Experiment in Colonial Soap Making
Coffee: A Revolutionary Drink
The history of coffee is long and complex and can never be fully explored in a single blog post, however, because of my admiration for the caffeinated beverage I wanted to learn how the colonist utilized coffee. Fortunately, in the collections at Kenmore, we not only have a selection of 18th century coffeepots and cups … Continue reading Coffee: A Revolutionary Drink
George Washington’s Troublesome Teeth
It’s probably the myth that is more enduring and widespread than any other about George Washington. At some point from someone, you have heard that George Washington’s false teeth were made of wood. It is not true. In reality, his dentures and dental tribulations were more complex than the familiar myth says. The true story, … Continue reading George Washington’s Troublesome Teeth
Video: Building George’s House – Flooring
In this video, we see the flooring in the Washington house being installed and talk with Project Manager John Jeanes about the flooring materials and installation process. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Glass Tablewares of the Washington Household
As work continues on the reconstructed Washington family home at Ferry Farm, we archaeologists are continuing to identify items that were owned by the Washingtons so we can eventually fill the reconstructed house with plates, bowls, glasses, and many other objects based on artifacts we’ve discovered. Our latest mending project towards this goal involves glass … Continue reading Glass Tablewares of the Washington Household
Photos: Flowers at Kenmore
Spring flowers blooming recently at Historic Kenmore!
Kenmore’s Holy Grail
“The drawing-room walls are covered with pictures, some very fine, from the ancient masters, but most of them portraits of our most distinguished men, six or eight by Stewart. The mantelpiece, tables in each corner and in fact wherever one could be fixed, were filled with busts, and groups of figures in plaster, so that … Continue reading Kenmore’s Holy Grail
Photos: Grandparent-Grandchild Archaeology Day Camp
During spring break last week, George Washington's Ferry Farm hosted to Grandparent-Grandchild Archaeology Camp. Campers, young and old, got a crash course on the entire archaeology process at Ferry Farm and the importance of archaeology to history. From recording information and digging up artifacts to a behind-the-scenes lab tour and creating an artifact diorama, campers … Continue reading Photos: Grandparent-Grandchild Archaeology Day Camp
Video: Building George’s House – Roofing
In this video, we learn about the roof of the Washington house reconstruction from Project Manager John Jeanes. Check out a timelapse video of the roof being built here. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Building George’s House: Why Red? How We Picked the Paint
A few weeks ago at George Washington’s Ferry Farm, painters finished painting the exterior of the Washington house. They used a red color known as “Spanish brown.” The paint is linseed oil-based and actually behaves more like a stain. Modern oil-based paint can, in a way, be thought of as a plastic that laying atop … Continue reading Building George’s House: Why Red? How We Picked the Paint
Lives & Legacies 