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
Historic Archaeology
What’s Growing in Ferry Farm’s Garden?
As many of you know, the Washington house replica at George Washington’s Ferry Farm was reconstructed and furnished as accurately as possible using historic documents, paintings, letters, and, of course, archaeology. Now that the challenge of getting the house built and open to visitors has passed, it’s time to turn to the rest of our … Continue reading What’s Growing in Ferry Farm’s Garden?
Digging Ferry Farm – Laying in the Grid [Video]
Before digging, archaeologists must survey the land and place a grid on their dig site so they can locate artifact discoveries on the landscape and make maps and other records. In this video, Archaeologist Joseph Blondino of Dovetail Cultural Resource Group explains how this survey is done, shows us the tools used, and then lays the … Continue reading Digging Ferry Farm – Laying in the Grid [Video]
The Fly …uh, Snail… in the Ointment …Pot
It’s flu season again. And for most of us who get sick that means a trip to the doctor, perhaps some prescribed medicines, and lots of rest. But what did George Washington do when he got sick? Although most of us likely think of our first president as perpetually healthy and strong, he was actually … Continue reading The Fly …uh, Snail… in the Ointment …Pot
Video – Lecture: “The Rooms at Ferry Farm”
On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, Meghan Budinger, Aldrich Director of Curatorial Operations at The George Washington Foundation, presented a lecture titled “The Rooms at Ferry Farm.” Meghan surveyed how we plan to furnish the reconstructed Washington house using traditional decorative arts scholarship but also adopted skills from genealogists, architectural historians, material cultural experts, scientists, and … Continue reading Video – Lecture: “The Rooms at Ferry Farm”
Video – Lecture: “The Mother of the Father of Our Country”
On Tuesday, September 12, 2017, Laura Galke, archaeologist, small finds analyst and site director at The George Washington Foundation, presented a lecture titled “The Mother of the Father of Our Country.” Laura examined how historical documents and newly-unearthed artifacts indicate that Mary Washington, George’s mother, faced challenges, governed her home, and managed the family’s plantations … Continue reading Video – Lecture: “The Mother of the Father of Our Country”
Video – Lecture: “Building George’s House, Introducing the New Ferry Farm”
On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, Dave Muraca, director of archaeology and vice president of museum content at The George Washington Foundation, presented “Building George’s House: Introducing the New Ferry Farm,” his account of the last eighteen months as George Washington's Ferry Farm witnessed the careful reconstruction of the Washington house using many traditional techniques. Dave … Continue reading Video – Lecture: “Building George’s House, Introducing the New Ferry Farm”
Lecture Series will Introduce the New Ferry Farm
As construction of the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm nears completion, we want to share the many years of archaeology, historical research, scientific investigation, skilled craftsmanship, and hard work that made building this reconstruction possible. Next month, The George Washington Foundation will present a lecture series titled George Washington: Boy Before Legend – … Continue reading Lecture Series will Introduce the New Ferry Farm
The Fox: A Bygone Symbol of Liberty
“There is no man who hates the power of the crown more, or who has a worse opinion of the Person to whom it belongs than I.” - Charles James Fox, letter to Edmund Burke, 24 January 1779. Quoted in L. G. Mitchell, Charles James Fox (1997:41). “It is intolerable that it should be in the … Continue reading The Fox: A Bygone Symbol of Liberty
Cunning Folk and Conjurors: Folk Magic in Colonial Virginia
The use of folk magic may seem foreign and exotic to many of us in the 21st century. If we look closer, though, it is apparent that some modern Americans still practice it today – even if they don’t realize it. Have you ever hunted for a four-leaf clover? Have you ever hung a horseshoe … Continue reading Cunning Folk and Conjurors: Folk Magic in Colonial Virginia
Lives & Legacies 