While Historic Kenmore remains closed temporarily because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, nature's seasons move forward as normal. One of the highlights of spring in Kenmore's gardens is the first blooms of our tulips and other flowers. Since visitors cannot see the beauty of these flowers in person, we wanted to share some photos for … Continue reading Flowers of Kenmore [Photos]
Historic Kenmore
The Howards of Kenmore
Many families have called Historic Kenmore "home" over its more than two centuries of existence. In late 19th century, the Howards lived in the grand brick home and one Howard in particular left an everlasting mark on the house and its history. William Key Howard, Sr. was born in Maryland in 1829 (and was related … Continue reading The Howards of Kenmore
Betty Washington’s Cookbooks
In the 18th century, more women began to publish cookbooks. Previously, writing or compiling such books was the domain professional cooks or chefs, who were men. Two of these women and their books, Hannah Glasse’s The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy and Eliza Smith’s The Compleat Housewife, or, Accomplished Gentlewoman’s Companion, ended up … Continue reading Betty Washington’s Cookbooks
“I Look Not On Things Beneath Me”: Our Snobbiest Artifact, a Wax Seal Stamp That Needs To Dial Back that Sass
‘Haughty’ is not a word used often to describe artifacts. That is, of course, unless the artifact in question is a glass wax seal stamp with a kind of snooty message on it. Of diminutive size (smaller than a dime) with a pretty little flower in the center it proclaims in reversed letters “I Look … Continue reading “I Look Not On Things Beneath Me”: Our Snobbiest Artifact, a Wax Seal Stamp That Needs To Dial Back that Sass
6th Annual “A Wee Christmas at Kenmore” [Photos]
Visit Kenmore this holiday season for an exhibit of highly detailed, replica dollhouses – including the mansion – and miniatures in the Crowninshield Museum Building. Share memories of your dollhouse with your family as you explore life in miniature! Put your mind and eye to the test with our “I Spy Miniatures” challenge – fun … Continue reading 6th Annual “A Wee Christmas at Kenmore” [Photos]
Mickey Owen Was Found in the Plaster!: A Look at Some Curious Inclusions Found in Plaster from Historic Kenmore
Historic Kenmore is known for the unique decorative plasterwork seen on many of its ceilings. However, some of its most unusual pieces of plaster were discovered during repair work being done in 1989. These were pieces of plaster that contained large clumps of animal hair and newspaper. An inspection of this plaster, considering an architectural … Continue reading Mickey Owen Was Found in the Plaster!: A Look at Some Curious Inclusions Found in Plaster from Historic Kenmore
Gingerbread House Construction Workshop & A Wee Christmas Workshop [Photos]
On Saturday, November 19, George Washington's Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore both presented their annual holiday workshops devoted to teaching attendees either how to build a gingerbread house or to create a holiday themed "room box." Here are some photos from both workshops... These two workshops are presented in preparation for Ferry Farm's annual Gingerbread … Continue reading Gingerbread House Construction Workshop & A Wee Christmas Workshop [Photos]
Abraham and The Ropewalkers: Finding Large Stories in Small Details
The staff of Historic Kenmore & George Washington’s Ferry Farm regularly conducts research into the enslaved communities that existed at both Kenmore and Ferry Farm during the Lewis and Washington family occupations. Most of the surviving information about the enslaved is of a statistical nature – numbers, ages, locations, and luckily, names. In comparison to … Continue reading Abraham and The Ropewalkers: Finding Large Stories in Small Details
Time for Some Trash Talk: The Social Role of Garbage at Historic Kenmore
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 try … Continue reading Time for Some Trash Talk: The Social Role of Garbage at Historic Kenmore
Lecture – The Social Role of Garbage in Colonial Virginia [Video]
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Dave Muraca, Director of Archaeology at The George Washington Foundation, presented "The Social Role of Garbage in Colonial Virginia," the final talk in this year's annual lecture series. Dave presented three case studies in 18th century garbage disposal at George Washington's Ferry Farm, Colonial Williamsburg, and Historic Kenmore. Thanks to … Continue reading Lecture – The Social Role of Garbage in Colonial Virginia [Video]
Lives & Legacies 