In this video, we learn from Curator Meghan Budinger about how we will furnish the Washington house reconstruction, we see a corner cupboard for the house being built, and talk with Master Joiner Ted Boscana from Colonial Williamsburg about making the cupboard. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and … Continue reading Video: Building George’s House – The Corner Cupboard
Historic Building Trades
Photos: Building George’s House – Windows & Weatherboard
Over the past several weeks, following the timber framing and while the shingling of the roof was taking place, The George Washington Foundation's carpenters Steve Chronister, Tom Rainey, and Josh Schwenk installed the Washington house windows and the beaded weatherboard, enclosing the house and shifting most of the work from the exterior to the interior. Read … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Windows & Weatherboard
Video: Building George’s House – Timber Framing
The timber framing of the Washington house is complete. In this video, we get a close-up view of the construction of the house's timber frame. For a timelapse view of the timber framing, watch this video. To see how the beams in the frame were fashioned, watch this video. Learn more about the Washington House … Continue reading Video: Building George’s House – Timber Framing
Photos: Building George’s House – Shingling the Roof
This past autumn, workers from Peter Post Restorations lead by Peter himself added the shingles to the roof of the Washington house at Ferry Farm. The handmade riven shingles were sawn from a tree trunk, smoothed on one side, and decoratively scalloped. Because they were handmade, each shingle was a different width. The roofers laid the shingles … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Shingling the Roof
Video: Building George’s House – Laying the Stone Foundation
In this video, we see how stonemasons Ray Cannetti, Robert Hall, and Kevin Nieto laid the handmade Aquia sandstone foundation stones around and on top of the Washington house's concrete cradle foundation, which protects original architectural remains underground. Watch these videos about the concrete cradle and the oyster burning process. Learn more about the Washington House here … Continue reading Video: Building George’s House – Laying the Stone Foundation
Video: Building George’s House – Timber Frame Timelapse
The timber frame – from floor joists to roof sheathing -- 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 timbers were fashioned by Virginia-based Blue Ridge Timberwrights. Learn more about the Washington House … Continue reading Video: Building George’s House – Timber Frame Timelapse
Photos: Building George’s House – Timber Framing Finished
Expert craftsmen from Blue Ridge Timberwrights recently completed constructing the timber frame of the Washington house interpretive replica at Ferry Farm. This collection of photographs documents the their work and begins a week into the process. You can see photos from the first week of work here. What's next? Shingles! Learn more about constructing the Washington house interpretive replica … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Timber Framing Finished
Video: Building George’s House – Lime Rick Burn
In this video, you'll see a lime rick burn that recently took place at George Washington's Ferry Farm and expert artisan Kenneth Tappan will explain the ins and outs of building and burning a lime rick. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project here.
Photos: Building George’s House – Lime Rick Burn
Recently, expert artisans Bill Neff and Kenneth Tappan along with staff from The George Washington Foundation built a lime rick -- a large crib of wood and oyster shells -- at George Washington's Ferry Farm. This past Saturday, the rick was lit on fire to produce lime for stone and brick work as part of constructing … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – Lime Rick Burn
Photos: Building George’s House – First Week of Timber Framing
Expert craftsmen from Blue Ridge Timberwrights arrived last Tuesday, September 6 to build the frame of the Washington house. This collection of photographs documents the first week of their work and begins with pictures of the finished concrete cradle and Aquia sandstone blocks ready to serve as the foundation for the timber frame. Over the past several months, the … Continue reading Photos: Building George’s House – First Week of Timber Framing
Lives & Legacies 