In the 17th and 18th centuries, colonial Virginians decorated their homes for Christmas with all manner of evergreens. This greenery – holly, ivy, mistletoe, and more – were seen as symbols of everlasting life. Each year at Historic Kenmore, we also decorate the house with greenery in this tradition. Mistletoe actually adorns Kenmore year round. … Continue reading Mistletoe: More Than Christmas Kisses
Decorations
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
Photos: Holiday Decorations at Ferry Farm & Kenmore
The George Washington Foundation wishes everyone a joyous holiday season! Enjoy these photos of holiday decorations created by wonderful volunteers! The George Washington Foundation Garden Guild decorated at Kenmore and the Lake Anna Garden Club decorated at Ferry Farm. There is still time to see Historic Kenmore and George Washington's Ferry Farm adorned for the season as … Continue reading Photos: Holiday Decorations at Ferry Farm & Kenmore
Photos: 29th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at Ferry Farm
It's a long-standing holiday tradition! Adults and children alike will enjoy the sights and smells of the festive creations displayed at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This year's theme is "George Washington Slept Here" and a list of contest winners can be seen here (PDF). Visitors may vote for their favorite and this 'people's choice' winner will be … Continue reading Photos: 29th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at Ferry Farm
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
‘A Wee Christmas’ Display Inspired by a ‘Wee’ Kenmore
This holiday season, we’re excited to share with our visitors the many dollhouses and miniatures loaned by friends, neighbors, and staff to form our first-ever dollhouses and miniatures show that we’re calling “A Wee Christmas at Historic Kenmore”. A highly detailed, replica dollhouse of Kenmore on display in our Crowninshield Museum served as the inspiration … Continue reading ‘A Wee Christmas’ Display Inspired by a ‘Wee’ Kenmore
A Kenmore Christmas
Historic Kenmore is decorated for the holidays, portraying what it may have looked like during the Christmas season of 1775. At that time, the Lewis family would have just moved into Kenmore a couple of months earlier, and it would have been their first Christmas in the new house. It was a time of some … Continue reading A Kenmore Christmas
Lives & Legacies 