After lengthy research and an occasional head-scratcher, the furnishings plan for the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm is finished! Reproduction furnishings are now being made. The probate inventory made after Augustine Washington’s death in 1743 guided us in determining the furnishings for the house, but because it was written over 270 years ago … Continue reading Furnishing George’s House: What Exactly is That? Curatorial Conundrums in the Washington House – Part 2: Sugar Box
historic architecture
Video – Building George’s House: Blacksmith Peter Ross
In this episode, we join blacksmith Peter Ross in his shop in North Carolina as he forges a thumb latch for the Washington house at Ferry Farm. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Furnishing George’s House: What Exactly is That? Curatorial Conundrums in the Washington House – Part 1: Scrutoire
The furnishings plan for the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm is done, and the reproduction furnishings are being made. Whew! It was a long process, filled with lengthy research and sometimes a few head-scratchers. Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory was our guiding document in determining the furnishings for the house, but because it … Continue reading Furnishing George’s House: What Exactly is That? Curatorial Conundrums in the Washington House – Part 1: Scrutoire
Photos: Building George’s House – North Chimney
Brickmasons Ray Cannetti, Robert Hall, and Kevin Nieto recently finished building the second of three chimneys for the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm. Located on the house’s north side and made from hand molded brick by the Old Carolina Brick Company, this chimney includes two fireplaces. One fireplace each on the first and second … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – North Chimney
Video: Building George’s House – Flooring
In this video, we see the flooring in the Washington house being installed and talk with Project Manager John Jeanes about the flooring materials and installation process. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Video: Building George’s House – Roofing
In this video, we learn about the roof of the Washington house reconstruction from Project Manager John Jeanes. Check out a timelapse video of the roof being built here. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Building George’s House: Why Red? How We Picked the Paint
A few weeks ago at George Washington’s Ferry Farm, painters finished painting the exterior of the Washington house. They used a red color known as “Spanish brown.” The paint is linseed oil-based and actually behaves more like a stain. Modern oil-based paint can, in a way, be thought of as a plastic that laying atop … Continue reading Building George’s House: Why Red? How We Picked the Paint
Building George’s House: Roofing Timelapse
The roof of the rebuilt Washington house at Ferry Farm was recently completed. The work was done by tradesmen using a mix of 18th century building methods and 21st century equipment. The roofing was done by Peter Post Restorations. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about … Continue reading Building George’s House: Roofing Timelapse
Photos: Building George’s House – Painting the Exterior
Painters recently finished painting the exterior of the Washington house at Ferry Farm. The house was painted a red color common to the 18th century and known as “Spanish brown.” The paint was linseed oil-based just as it would have been in the 1700s. We'll have a more detailed blog post in a few weeks explaining … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Painting the Exterior
Video: Furnishing George’s House – Painting the Corner Cupboard
Over the last week on Lives & Legacies, we've been talking a lot about the Washington house corner cupboard! We're obviously excited because not only is the cupboard beautiful and a beautifully-made piece but because it also represents a shift from building the structure of the Washington house itself to an increased focus on the … Continue reading Video: Furnishing George’s House – Painting the Corner Cupboard