George Washington’s Ferry Farm

Photos: Building George’s House – First Week of Timber Framing

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Expert craftsmen from Blue Ridge Timberwrights arrived last Tuesday, September 6 to build the frame of the Washington house.  This collection of photographs documents the first week of their work and begins with pictures of the finished concrete cradle and Aquia sandstone blocks ready to serve as the foundation for the timber frame. Over the past several months, the … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – First Week of Timber Framing

Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It: Tobacco & Politics in the 1700s

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Colonial American.  Think about that term.  What does it mean to you?  It refers to citizens of the American colonies prior to the Revolution.  In the minds of many of us in the present-day United States, however, it might denote a unique American identity, probably because our own identities as Americans are firmly set and … Continue reading Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It: Tobacco & Politics in the 1700s

Video – Building George’s House: The Concrete Cradle

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An interpretive replica of the house that young George Washington lived in with his family is being built at his boyhood home at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia. This replica is being constructed on the exact location of the original. Through the use of a specially-designed concrete cradle, the replica will not harm any of … Continue reading Video – Building George’s House: The Concrete Cradle

Introducing the New George Washington’s Ferry Farm

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In 1996, the Trustees, Regents, and staff of The George Washington Foundation, known then as the Kenmore Association, were part of a large and vocal group of concerned citizens that banded together to save the site of George Washington’s Boyhood Home from commercial development.  While all the Washington-era structures, yards, and fences vanished almost 200 … Continue reading Introducing the New George Washington’s Ferry Farm

“Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations”: Celebrating Independence

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Writing to wife Abigail following Congress’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams famously outlined his vision for how future generations would celebrate the historic moment. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival,” Adams wrote in an oft quoted passage. “It ought to … Continue reading “Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations”: Celebrating Independence

Photos: Glue Through a Microscope

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While living at Ferry Farm, Mary Washington, mother of George, owned a creamware punch bowl with beautiful hand-painted enamel depicting a floral motif and cherry accents.  Archaeologists excavated pieces of this bowl from the cellar of the Washington home and subsequently discovered glue residue on the sherds. We've written about the importance of the bowl's discovery here … Continue reading Photos: Glue Through a Microscope