In June, we visited Blue Ridge Timberwrights in Christiansburg, Virginia. We saw skilled craftsmen fashioning the timbers for the Washington house frame and talked with Sandy Bennett, president of Blue Ridge Timberwights. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
Thirty Years of Gingerbread
It’s a long-standing holiday tradition. In fact, it’s so long-standing that this year, 2016, marks the tradition’s 30th year. What tradition is that? The annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Since we are marking three auspicious decades for this event, we dug into the archives to present a look back … Continue reading Thirty Years of Gingerbread
Video: Building George’s House – Timber Frame Timelapse
The timber frame – from floor joists to roof sheathing -- of the rebuilt Washington house at Ferry Farm was recently completed. The work was done by tradesmen using a mix of 18th century building methods and 21st century equipment. The timbers were fashioned by Virginia-based Blue Ridge Timberwrights. Learn more about the Washington House … Continue reading Video: Building George’s House – Timber Frame Timelapse
Cunning Folk and Conjurors: Folk Magic in Colonial Virginia
The use of folk magic may seem foreign and exotic to many of us in the 21st century. If we look closer, though, it is apparent that some modern Americans still practice it today – even if they don’t realize it. Have you ever hunted for a four-leaf clover? Have you ever hung a horseshoe … Continue reading Cunning Folk and Conjurors: Folk Magic in Colonial Virginia
Photos: Building George’s House – Timber Framing Finished
Expert craftsmen from Blue Ridge Timberwrights recently completed constructing the timber frame of the Washington house interpretive replica at Ferry Farm. This collection of photographs documents the their work and begins a week into the process. You can see photos from the first week of work here. What's next? Shingles! Learn more about constructing the Washington house interpretive replica … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Timber Framing Finished
Ten Cool But Rarely-Exhibited Artifacts Found at Ferry Farm
When you enter a museum you’re surrounded by cool stuff. Be it paintings, fossils, or ancient artifacts, they’re all special items that you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere. But what if I told you that the cool objects you see on display in a museum are a mere fraction of what most museums actually … Continue reading Ten Cool But Rarely-Exhibited Artifacts Found at Ferry Farm
“A Silly Bauble”: Ferry Farm’s Sputnik Moment
Sputniks and mutniks, flying through the air, Sputniks and mutniks, flying everywhere, It's so ironic. Are they atomic? Those funny missiles have got me scared. -Lyrics from “Sputniks and Mutniks” by Ray Anderson and the Home Folks (1958) “Beep, Beep, Beep…” went the sinister telemetry signals from the Earth’s first artificial satellite. Launched by the … Continue reading “A Silly Bauble”: Ferry Farm’s Sputnik Moment
Video: Building George’s House – Lime Rick Burn
In this video, you'll see a lime rick burn that recently took place at George Washington's Ferry Farm and expert artisan Kenneth Tappan will explain the ins and outs of building and burning a lime rick. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Photos: Building George’s House – Lime Rick Burn
Recently, expert artisans Bill Neff and Kenneth Tappan along with staff from The George Washington Foundation built a lime rick -- a large crib of wood and oyster shells -- at George Washington's Ferry Farm. This past Saturday, the rick was lit on fire to produce lime for stone and brick work as part of constructing … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Lime Rick Burn
Video: Building George’s House – The Cornerstone
Stonemason Ray Cannetti tells us the story behind the cornerstone of the Washington house interpretive replica being built at George Washington's Ferry Farm. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Lives & Legacies 