After lengthy research and an occasional head-scratcher, the furnishings plan for the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm is finished! Reproduction furnishings are now being made. The probate inventory made after Augustine Washington’s death in 1743 guided us in determining the furnishings for the house, but because it was written over 270 years ago … Continue reading Furnishing George’s House: What Exactly is That? Curatorial Conundrums in the Washington House – Part 2: Sugar Box
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
Video – Building George’s House: Blacksmith Peter Ross
In this episode, we join blacksmith Peter Ross in his shop in North Carolina as he forges a thumb latch for the Washington house at Ferry Farm. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
The Surveyor’s Shed at Ferry Farm
It isn’t known when the myths about the small white building called the Surveyor’s Shed at George Washington’s Ferry Farm began, or why it was believed by so many that the structure existed during George Washington’s childhood. It was long-held myth was that Augustine Washington taught his son, George, how to survey in this building … Continue reading The Surveyor’s Shed at Ferry Farm
Photos: The Fourth of July at Ferry Farm 2017
Scenes from last week’s Independence Day celebration at George Washington’s Ferry Farm!
The Fox: A Bygone Symbol of Liberty
“There is no man who hates the power of the crown more, or who has a worse opinion of the Person to whom it belongs than I.” - Charles James Fox, letter to Edmund Burke, 24 January 1779. Quoted in L. G. Mitchell, Charles James Fox (1997:41). “It is intolerable that it should be in the … Continue reading The Fox: A Bygone Symbol of Liberty
Furnishing George’s House: What Exactly is That? Curatorial Conundrums in the Washington House – Part 1: Scrutoire
The furnishings plan for the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm is done, and the reproduction furnishings are being made. Whew! It was a long process, filled with lengthy research and sometimes a few head-scratchers. Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory was our guiding document in determining the furnishings for the house, but because it … Continue reading Furnishing George’s House: What Exactly is That? Curatorial Conundrums in the Washington House – Part 1: Scrutoire
Photos: Building George’s House – North Chimney
Brickmasons Ray Cannetti, Robert Hall, and Kevin Nieto recently finished building the second of three chimneys for the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm. Located on the house’s north side and made from hand molded brick by the Old Carolina Brick Company, this chimney includes two fireplaces. One fireplace each on the first and second … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – North Chimney
Good Clean Fun: An Experiment in Colonial Soap Making
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
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
Lives & Legacies 