The holiday season has arrived at Historic Kenmore, bringing with it our annual display in the house of colonial wintry traditions from greenery to lovely desserts. Two years ago, I explored the mysterious origin of Betty Lewis’s hedgehog cake and even made a pretty passable replica. This year, there is another dessert on our table … Continue reading Making Syllabub
Foodways
All About Sugar Cones
In a post several months ago, we discussed a piece of furniture listed in Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory that gave us some interesting insight into the daily life of the Washington family – the sugar box. Recently, our reproduction sugar box arrived and is now on display in the Parlor, just as the probate … Continue reading All About Sugar Cones
32nd Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit at Ferry Farm [Photos]
It’s the 32nd year of a a long-standing holiday tradition: the Gingerbread Contest & Exhibit at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This year’s theme is “Cartoon Adventures.” Adults and children alike will enjoy the sights and smells of these festive creations displayed at Ferry Farm! Ferry Farm’s hours are Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 … Continue reading 32nd Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit at Ferry Farm [Photos]
Video – Eggsperimental Archaeology: Preserving Eggs before the Age of Refrigeration, Part 1
In this video, we do some experimental archaeology and try four different techniques used to preserve fresh uncooked eggs before the advent of refrigeration. You can also read about meat preservation techniques prior to the invention of refrigeration here.
No Refrigerator? No Problem!: Preserving and Storing Meat in the 1700s
It’s easy to take our refrigerators for granted. There they sit in our kitchens quietly keeping our food safe to eat and making our lives quite easy. It may be difficult to imagine but a large percentage of time on an 18th century homestead such as George Washington’s Ferry Farm was spent preserving food for … Continue reading No Refrigerator? No Problem!: Preserving and Storing Meat in the 1700s
Video: 31st Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit
In this festive holiday video, we see all the "Historic Sites in Virginia" gingerbread houses entered in this year's contest. To see the list of winners, click here. The exhibit runs until December 30. Click here to learn more about visiting George Washington's boyhood home this holiday season.
“It is Indeed Bad to Eat Apples. It is Better to Make Them All Cider”: When Cider Reigned Supreme in America
“It is indeed bad to eat apples. It is better to make them all cider” -- Benjamin Franklin Name a beverage consumed by all age groups, men and women alike, the poor and the very rich, from sun up to sun down, that is touted as healthy and refreshing yet also contains alcohol. If you … Continue reading “It is Indeed Bad to Eat Apples. It is Better to Make Them All Cider”: When Cider Reigned Supreme in America
At the Kids’ Table …with George Washington?
One of the first pieces of furniture that will arrive at the recreated Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm will be the large, round dining table for the Hall. It’s being made at a shop in Pennsylvania and we hope to have it before the end of the year. With Thanksgiving just a week … Continue reading At the Kids’ Table …with George Washington?
George’s Hometown: Julian’s Tavern
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. Besides learning to survey and receiving his formal schooling, young George Washington also pursued an education in … Continue reading George’s Hometown: Julian’s Tavern
Video – The Colonial Kitchen: Making Switchel
In this video, we make switchel, a summertime beverage popular in the 1700s. Its ingredients contain a lot of potassium which replenishes the body's electrolytes. Learn more about switchel and other methods used to say cool in the 18th century on this blog post.
Lives & Legacies 