Spring is a busy time of year for historic house museums, as we see an influx of school groups, vacationers, and families taking advantage of the beautiful weather. This spring is an especially exciting year at Historic Kenmore since we are preparing to celebrate our centennial anniversary! As discussed in our previous blog post, it … Continue reading 1925 Dedication Day: A (Block) Party from the Past
Historic Preservation
Kenmore’s Centennial: How the Ladies of the Kenmore Association Saved the Lewis Family Home
The year 2022 is significant for The George Washington Foundation as it is the centennial of the saving of Kenmore. We have begun the new year with a new exhibit exploring the saving of Kenmore by The Kenmore Association and the beginning of the restoration of the house and turning it into a treasured historic … Continue reading Kenmore’s Centennial: How the Ladies of the Kenmore Association Saved the Lewis Family Home
National Parks, National Historic Landmarks, and the National Register of Historic Places, Oh My!
Throughout my time as a museum professional, I have worked at several different museums each with different classifications, rules, and operating procedures. Before entering the museum world, I used to think that most museums operated in a similar way. However, that could not be further from the truth. One of the most common questions I … Continue reading National Parks, National Historic Landmarks, and the National Register of Historic Places, Oh My!
The Unlikely Curator: What a Rodent’s Nest Reveals about Historic Kenmore
Rodents are usually seen as one of a museum’s greatest enemies. They damage valuable artifacts and buildings, leave a mess wherever they go, and frighten unsuspecting visitors. Like most museums, Historic Kenmore does its best to make sure no pests make their home in the 18th century plantation house. But, before it became a museum … Continue reading The Unlikely Curator: What a Rodent’s Nest Reveals about Historic Kenmore
An Unlikely Curator: Inside a Historic Rodent’s Nest [Video]
In this video, we pick apart a rodent's nest discovered by archaeologists investigating Historic Kenmore’s walls and floors for architectural artifacts. Like most museums, we take extensive pest prevention measures today but, back when it was an actual home, Kenmore was not always rodent-free. This nest revealed some fascinating history and told us a bit … Continue reading An Unlikely Curator: Inside a Historic Rodent’s Nest [Video]
Washington House at Ferry Farm [Photos]
The Washington house at Ferry Farm is now open for tours! Using information from the probate inventory and archaeological evidence, the interpretive replica of George Washington’s boyhood home is currently being furnished with replica furniture and ceramics. You can read an in-depth post about the house here and below you will find photos that provide … Continue reading Washington House at Ferry Farm [Photos]
Washington House at Ferry Farm Now Open for Tours
The Washington house at Ferry Farm is now open for tours. The interpretive replica of George Washington’s boyhood home is an interactive and hands-on experience for all ages, where visitors can experience what life was like in the eighteenth century. Using information from the probate inventory and archaeological evidence, the Washington house is currently being … Continue reading Washington House at Ferry Farm Now Open for Tours
Video – Building George’s House: Oyster Slaking
In this video, stone and brick mason Ray Cannetti and his crew turn burnt oyster shells from last summer's lime rick burn into powdered lime to use in mortar in the reconstructed Washington house chimneys. Learn more about the Washington House here and view other videos, photos, and blog posts about the project at here.
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.
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
Lives & Legacies 