George Washington was the oldest of Augustine and Mary Washington’s five children. The next oldest was daughter Betty, who was born 14 months after George and was his only sister. George and Betty are immensely important to us at George Washington’s Ferry Farm & Historic Kenmore. They spent their formative years at Ferry Farm and … Continue reading Siblings Strained by Revolution: George and Betty’s Wartime Letters
Betty Washington Lewis
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
Lecture – Betty Washington Lewis and Women’s Health [Video]
On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, Dr. Kelly Brennan Arehart, Manager of Interpretation & Visitor Services at The George Washington Foundation, presented a lecture titled “Betty Washington Lewis and Women's Health.” Betty Washington Lewis gave birth to 11 children; a feat almost unheard of today. Kelly explored Betty’s journey from childhood to womanhood, from maiden to … Continue reading Lecture – Betty Washington Lewis and Women’s Health [Video]
George’s Hometown: Kenmore
As George Washington’s Ferry Farm prepares to celebrate the reconstruction of the Washington house, we traveled around George’s hometown – Fredericksburg, Virginia – to visit a few places important in the transformation of George from boy to man. Fredericksburg remained important to George Washington throughout his life. It was the home of Mary Ball Washington, … Continue reading George’s Hometown: Kenmore
Harriot’s Happily Ever After
As we saw in this blog post, Harriot Washington lost both of her parents by the time she was five years old. Her childhood was spent shuffling from one relative’s household to another. Finally, she came into the care of her uncle George Washington, who along with aunt Betty Washington Lewis, provided stability and support … Continue reading Harriot’s Happily Ever After
Harriot Washington’s “Hard Knock Life”
With one sister and three brothers, George Washington was uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. One niece was Harriot Washington was born sometime in 1776 to his brother Samuel and Samuel’s fourth wife Ann Steptoe. Harriot was orphaned by the time she was five years old, when her mother died in 1777 and her father … Continue reading Harriot Washington’s “Hard Knock Life”
Yes, Virginia, there is a Christmas Hedgehog!
During the holidays, it’s the curatorial team’s job to festoon Historic Kenmore in period-appropriate holiday swag to celebrate the Christmas season. Greenery is brought in to cheer up the rooms and a table of special desserts is laid out as if ready for Christmas guests. These sweet treats are a pretty traditional fare but one … Continue reading Yes, Virginia, there is a Christmas Hedgehog!
Ten Well-Known Visitors to Historic Kenmore
Since its transformation into a historic site, Kenmore has drawn its share of prominent and recognizable visitors including a vice president, a congressman, and numerous First Ladies of the United States. Indeed, the ladies of the Kenmore Association, who worked to save, restore, and operate the historic home during the 20th century, made it a … Continue reading Ten Well-Known Visitors to Historic Kenmore
The Man on the Ceiling: Neoclassical Decorating at Kenmore
As with many things at Historic Kenmore, the reasoning behind the choices Fielding and Betty Lewis made for their masterpiece of a house remain a mystery to us. Why are Aesop’s Fables the subject of the decorative plaster overmantel in the Dining Room? Why is there an old-fashioned paneled wall in the Chamber? Why did … Continue reading The Man on the Ceiling: Neoclassical Decorating at Kenmore
In Memory of Mother Washington
Today, August 25th, marks the 227th anniversary of the death of George Washington’s mother, Mary. Mary lived to be 82 years old, and suffered from breast cancer during her final years. Few biographers have been neutral in their treatment of Mother Washington, a woman of great significance in George’s life. Some writers have offered overly … Continue reading In Memory of Mother Washington
Lives & Legacies 