Plants have played a critical role in human survival through the ages. Although most people in the modern world do not rely on plants they gather themselves, we are surrounded by useful flora that Native Americans and later European colonists relied upon. Today, some are labeled as ‘weeds’ while the more attractive ones are propagated … Continue reading Our Ever Evolving Relationship with Plants
Nature
Summer Greens from the Colonial Garden
Typically, when modern Americans think of summer barbecue food, they think of meat grilled over an open flame. While that would certainly appeal to an eighteenth century audience, it is not necessarily what they considered ‘typical’ summer fare. Large livestock like pigs and cattle were usually slaughtered and butchered in the late fall/early winter when … Continue reading Summer Greens from the Colonial Garden
May Flowers
Beautiful flowers are in bloom in the demonstration garden at George Washington's Ferry Farm!
Apple Cedar Rust: What on Earth is It and Why Does It Matter?
Sometimes nature can be stranger than fiction. At George Washington’s Ferry Farm, we are currently experiencing such a phenomenon: Apple Cedar Rust. Hideous in appearance, yet strangely fascinating, this fungus erupts on our cedar trees every few years when temperature and moisture are just right. It’s a monstrous growth with bright orange tentacles. Like some … Continue reading Apple Cedar Rust: What on Earth is It and Why Does It Matter?
Restoring Kenmore’s Gardens
While the various restorations of Kenmore itself over the years are usually the star attraction for visitors to the site, there was another restoration, equally as important, that occurred on the property in its early years as a museum. Kenmore’s gardens are well-known for their beauty now, but when the Kenmore Association acquired the property … Continue reading Restoring Kenmore’s Gardens
Video: Arbor Day Celebration
Each year, Historic Kenmore is the site of the Arbor Day Celebration for the City of Fredericksburg. This video shares sights and sounds from this year's celebration held on Thursday, April 14, 2016.
Photos: Fall at Ferry Farm
Scenes from a recent autumn stroll around George Washington's Ferry Farm. This semester's Fleming-Smith Scholar Courtney Kuzemchak, a student at the University of Mary Washington, captured these seasonal images. You can see photos of Ferry Farm in winter here and a video from summer here.
Photos: Hummingbirds
Just outside a window of the Archaeology Lab near the demonstration garden at George Washington's Ferry Farm stands a hummingbird feeder. We regularly receive feathered visitors to the feeder. Archaeologist Laura Galke recently captured some photos of a couple of the hummingbirds as well as a surprise guest.
Video: A Busy Morning at Kenmore
Historic Kenmore's beautiful grounds and gardens require much work to remain beautiful. On a recent morning, staff mowed and weeded flower beds in the unending effort to make the flowers and grounds look their best. Historic Kenmore and George Washington's Ferry Farm always need volunteers to help with our gardens. If you might be interested … Continue reading Video: A Busy Morning at Kenmore
Photos: Nature Walk at George Washington’s Ferry Farm
George Washington's Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm offers a wonderful blend of woods, fields, wetlands, and riverfront. Fox, groundhogs, snakes, lizards, turtles, and deer make Ferry Farm their home. In the meadows, bushy heads of grass seeds provide an important source of food for birds. Beautiful flowers and majestic trees abound across the landscape. A … Continue reading Photos: Nature Walk at George Washington’s Ferry Farm
Lives & Legacies 