Editor’s Note: Looking back in time, people’s personal hygiene, fashion choices, medical treatments, and more sometimes look, at the very least, bizarre, if not outright disgusting. When confronted with these weird or gross practices, our first reaction can be to dismiss our ancestors as primitive, ignorant, or just silly. Before such judgments, however, we should … Continue reading ‘Not Having Been Wett All Over at Once, for 28 Years Past’: Bathing in Early America
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
George Toasts George?
At George Washington’s Ferry Farm we’ve just wrapped up a ceramic mending project. We explain how and why we undertake these mending projects in this post. Our most recent effort focused on Westerwald stonewares owned by the Washington family. Stoneware is a high-fired, non-porous ceramic that is excellent for producing storage containers and drinking vessels. But … Continue reading George Toasts George?
White Snow. Blue Skies.
About a month ago on "Lives & Legacies," we shared a gallery of photos showing snow-covered Historic Kenmore and George Washington's Ferry Farm in years past. That post especially focused on snowy scenes of Kenmore. With snow from yesterday's storm still on the ground under beautiful sun-filled blue skies, we thought we ought to share a few more … Continue reading White Snow. Blue Skies.
George Washington’s Birthday Celebration
The annual George Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Ferry Farm took place on Saturday, February 14. Fun family activities included colonial-era games, crafts, the Stone Throw Challenge, theater performances, and birthday cake! Here are some photos from the event.
George Washington, Baseball Player?
I find that February, though it has the fewest days, can be the longest month of the year. The novelty of winter has worn off and, often, I simply seem to be enduring until the first glimpses of spring in March. I do, however, look forward with excitement to two moments in February: George Washington’s … Continue reading George Washington, Baseball Player?
Snow Days
This year, we've not had a particularly photographic snow at George Washington's Ferry Farm or Historic Kenmore... yet. Snow eventually will come but, until then, we're sharing some of our best snowy photos from last year and from ten years ago.
Perukes, Pomade, and Powder: Hair Care in the 1700s
Editor’s Note: Looking back in time, people’s personal hygiene, fashion choices, medical treatments, and more sometimes look, at the very least, bizarre, if not outright disgusting. When confronted with these weird or gross practices, our first reaction can be to dismiss our ancestors as primitive, ignorant, or just silly. Before such judgments, however, we should … Continue reading Perukes, Pomade, and Powder: Hair Care in the 1700s
Ferry Farm is “Home Sweet Home” for the Holidays
Tradition says that Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington, was well-known for her excellent gingerbread. The story goes that she even served her gingerbread to the Marquis de Lafayette when he visited Fredericksburg as part of his postwar tour of America in 1784. Inspired by this tale and as Mary’s home for three decades … Continue reading Ferry Farm is “Home Sweet Home” for the Holidays
Lives & Legacies 