The concept of buying items to remember certain events or travels is commonplace today. Who goes abroad without bringing back a trinket naming the location? Is it possible to go antiquing without seeing an item that commemorates the wedding of Charles and Diana? Even the smallest item has the ability to tell a story through … Continue reading Catherine of Braganza: How the copy of a 17th-century plate tells the story of design, consumer consumption, and the Washington Family
Behind the Scenes
Behind the Glass of the Archaeology Lab: Creating an Exhibit
It can be daunting to look at a blank space and realize you are in charge of filling it. And not just filling it, you need to create something that will leave a lasting impression on the public. The process of creating an exhibit is much more complicated than it seems. From the initial idea … Continue reading Behind the Glass of the Archaeology Lab: Creating an Exhibit
A Day in the Life of a Historic Interpreter at Ferry Farm [Video]
In this video, we meet historic interpreter Gary Haynes and follow him during his workday at George Washington's Ferry Farm. https://youtu.be/Pq8vSn6p2TQ
How to Do Archaeology During a Pandemic
Like so many of you, in the middle of March this year, nearly all employees of George Washington’s Ferry Farm & Historic Kenmore began working from home and did not return to our offices for two and a half months. We expected a lengthy time away and, as such, prepared as best we could for … Continue reading How to Do Archaeology During a Pandemic
The Brick Building Where George Didn’t Sleep: A History of Ferry Farm’s Visitor Center
The Visitor Center at George Washington’s Ferry Farm is a lovely red brick colonial revival building with towering white columns and cool architectural details built in the 1960s. What’s not to love? The only problem with having a 20th century building that looks like it could be from the 18th century is that people who … Continue reading The Brick Building Where George Didn’t Sleep: A History of Ferry Farm’s Visitor Center
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
Dressing the Past: Costuming Challenges at Ferry Farm & Kenmore
We have been working tirelessly to improve the accuracy of the costumes that actors and staff wear when performing for or interacting with the public at Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm. This is no easy task, but it improves the visitor experience and helps them better understand the Washington and the Lewis families … Continue reading Dressing the Past: Costuming Challenges at Ferry Farm & Kenmore
“I wonder if this was mine?”: Robert Bailey’s Ferry Farm
We have a unique situation here at the Ferry Farm Archaeology Lab. One of our volunteers, who has spent hundreds of hours washing, sorting and labeling excavated artifacts, is oddly enough, also partially responsible for creating some of those artifacts in the first place! Robert Bailey, his father Ray, mother Peggy and older brother Ray … Continue reading “I wonder if this was mine?”: Robert Bailey’s Ferry Farm
Inside the Archaeology Lab: Putting Artifacts on Exhibit
Here on Lives & Legacies we’ve shown you a variety of important tasks that take place inside the Archaeology Lab at George Washington’s Ferry Farm. You’ve seen how we wash, catalog, label, and then mend vessels with archival glue. One goal of all this work is to piece together whole artifacts from the many broken … Continue reading Inside the Archaeology Lab: Putting Artifacts on Exhibit
Photos: Historic Kenmore Behind-the-Scenes Tours
On rare occasions, Historic Kenmore offers special behind-the-scenes tours that take visitors into portions of the home not usually open to the public during regular tours. Additionally, Meghan Budinger, Aldrich Director of Curatorial Operations, leads the tour and shares her expert insights and knowledge into the mansion's history, furnishing, and ongoing preservation. This past weekend, visitors once … Continue reading Photos: Historic Kenmore Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Lives & Legacies 