As modern people, we tend to assume the past is a foreign land where residents’ lives are alien to our own. Would the founding fathers balk at how we dither away our time? Or would they recognize that life without its moments of levity is foolish? Eighteenth century America was a time of growing leisure … Continue reading How Washington Relaxed: A Short History of Playing Cards
Video: The Colonial Kitchen – Drinking Chocolate
In this video, we taste three different chocolate drinks from across the centuries and discover what ingredients went in them to make each taste so differently. Read about "Sweet-Toothed Colonials and Their Chocolate" here.
Sweet-Toothed Colonials & Their Chocolate
Ahhh Chocolate! Now is the time of year when we consume even more than usual, often from heart-shaped boxes gifted by an admirer. Probably one of the most universally loved foods, the average American consumes roughly 11 pounds of the stuff a year! It is hard to imagine a world without chocolate and this love … Continue reading Sweet-Toothed Colonials & Their Chocolate
Video: Tricks of the Trade – Archaeology Lab Edition
Sometimes, it can be a challenge to precisely identify an artifact. When faced with this challenge, archaeologists working in the lab put their five senses to work and call upon some interesting 'tricks of the trade' to make those difficult identifications. Learn more about archaeology and being an archaeologist during Archaeology Day at Ferry Farm on … Continue reading Video: Tricks of the Trade – Archaeology Lab Edition
Washington Birthday Wishes
This month marks the 284th anniversary of George Washington's birth. Americans have celebrated our first president's birthday since long before it became an official national holiday in the late 1800s. In fact, early Americans even marked George's birth during his lifetime, most notably with "Birthnight Balls" that replicated the grand dances held in Britain to celebrate the monarch's birthday. In 1879, an Act … Continue reading Washington Birthday Wishes
Video: George Washington’s Birthday at Ferry Farm
Celebrate George Washington’s 284th birthday at his boyhood home with fun activities for the whole family, including games, crafts, exhibits, the Stone Throw Challenge (weather permitting), history theater, and birthday cake! “General Washington” will attend the Birthday Celebration to talk about his youth on the farm! The video below is a preview of the celebration. … Continue reading Video: George Washington’s Birthday at Ferry Farm
Masonic Pipe in 3D
Recently, a 3D image of a smoking pipe was added to the Virtual Curation Lab, an online project of Virginia Commonwealth University. You can view rotate, zoom, and manipulate the image by clicking the photo above or by clicking here. The smoking pipe was discovered within the fill of the main cellar of the Washington family … Continue reading Masonic Pipe in 3D
Payment Tokens… Of a Different Kind
During excavations around and under Kenmore’s 19th century portico in the early 2000s, archaeologists discovered several small metal disks. Some disks were significantly corroded but a few still showed markings clearly. They were stamped with the words “Braxton Mason & Co” as well as “1 day” and on another disk “5”. The disks had oval-shaped … Continue reading Payment Tokens… Of a Different Kind
Photos: “Twelfth Night at Kenmore” 2016
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 … Continue reading Photos: “Twelfth Night at Kenmore” 2016
Glue: The Coolest Thing I’ve Ever Found
As an archaeologist, I am often asked “What is the coolest thing you’ve ever found?” The answer is complicated. Although I’ve unearthed 10,000 year old Paleoindian hearths, elaborate porcelains, coins, long lost jewelry, and ancient stone tools, I say that the coolest thing I’ve ever found is …. glue. This proclamation always elicits questioning looks … Continue reading Glue: The Coolest Thing I’ve Ever Found
Lives & Legacies 