In this final video of this series, Fredericksburg, Virginia-based furniture maker Steve Dietrich demonstrates the methods he used to make the lid for a blanket chest in the reconstructed Washington house at Ferry Farm. Watch other videos and read more about rebuilding the Washington house here.
The Rooms at Ferry Farm
The Seven Easy Pieces of Furniture – Episode 2: Blanket Chest [Video]
In this video, Fredericksburg, Virginia-based furniture maker Steve Dietrich discusses two of the techniques he used to create a blanket chest for the reconstructed Washington house at Ferry Farm. Watch other videos and read more about rebuilding the Washington house here.
The Furniture Makers: Tom Snyder and Astrid Smith [Video]
In this video, we visit with Tom Snyder and Astrid Smith of Williamsburg Art Conservation to see how they upholstered the leather bottom chairs in the hall of the Washington house replica. Watch other videos and read more about rebuilding the Washington house here.
Making 18th Century Glass & Ceramic Reproductions: An Update
The replica Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm has been open for tours for one year now but we still continue to add reproduction furniture and objects to the rooms inside. Since the house is a replica built using archaeology, historic research, and expert knowledge, we are using the same three foundations to create … Continue reading Making 18th Century Glass & Ceramic Reproductions: An Update
All About Mary’s New “Old” Desk
Another new piece of furniture has arrived at the Washington house at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Introducing the “Old Desk,” as listed in the "Parlour" on Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory. This desk was copied from an original piece in the collections of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation that dates to ca. 1710-1730, making it one … Continue reading All About Mary’s New “Old” Desk
Making 18th Century Glass & Ceramic Replicas [Video]
Our Archaeology team reveals how they are creating replica 18th century glass and ceramic objects that visitors may touch during tours of the Washington house replica at Ferry Farm. Learn more about the Washington house replica here.
All About Sugar Cones
In a post several months ago, we discussed a piece of furniture listed in Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory that gave us some interesting insight into the daily life of the Washington family – the sugar box. Recently, our reproduction sugar box arrived and is now on display in the Parlor, just as the probate … Continue reading All About Sugar Cones
Our Best Guess about Mary Washington’s Best Bed
In July, we were very excited to see the culmination of at least a year’s worth of research and work when the “best bed” was installed in the Hall Back Room (the master bedchamber) of the Washington House. Between its imposing size (it nearly touches the ceiling) and it’s bright blue bed curtains in a … Continue reading Our Best Guess about Mary Washington’s Best Bed
The Furniture Makers: Harrison Higgins [Video]
The replica Washington house is open at George Washington's Ferry Farm but furnishing is still ongoing. We traveled to Richmond to visit furniture maker Harrison Higgins and he told us about the furniture that he and his crew have made for the Washington house. Watch other videos and read more about rebuilding the Washington house … Continue reading The Furniture Makers: Harrison Higgins [Video]
Artifact, Object, Repro: Part 3 – Imari & Famille Rose Porcelain
Today, we revisit the Chinese Export Porcelain (CEP) reproduction ceramics now displayed or to be displayed in the future in the Washington house replica at George Washington’s Ferry Farm. We’re examining the artifacts recovered at Ferry Farm, the complete 18th century objects those artifacts represent, and the reproduction pieces inspired by these artifact sherds as … Continue reading Artifact, Object, Repro: Part 3 – Imari & Famille Rose Porcelain
Lives & Legacies 