It's a long-standing holiday tradition! Adults and children alike will enjoy the sights and smells of the festive creations displayed at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This year's theme is "George Washington Slept Here" and a list of contest winners can be seen here (PDF). Visitors may vote for their favorite and this 'people's choice' winner will be … Continue reading Photos: 29th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at Ferry Farm
Traditions
Tallio! Fox Hunting at Christmas
Although Fielding Lewis certainly built a home capable of hosting the elaborate Christmas celebrations popular in 18th century Virginia, Historic Kenmore probably never saw occasions on such a lavish scale, with the possible exception of the family’s first Christmas in the house in December 1775. If the family hosted the traditional Christmas celebration, Fielding and … Continue reading Tallio! Fox Hunting at Christmas
Thanksgiving in George Washington’s Virginia?
As thanksgiving approaches we turn our thoughts to tradition, family, and feast. Thanksgiving traditions call to mind family around a table full of food, a roast turkey with cranberry sauce, or maybe even a romanticized recreation of New England meal from the 17th century. But what is the history behind that tradition? What would people … Continue reading Thanksgiving in George Washington’s Virginia?
Photos: “Twelfth Night at Kenmore”
Today - January 6 - marks the end of Christmas or, at least, it did two centuries ago. If we lived in the days of George Washington, Betty Washington Lewis, and Fielding Lewis and moved within their social circle, we would all be preparing for the grandest celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which began … Continue reading Photos: “Twelfth Night at Kenmore”
Historical Holiday Cheer
In the colonial-era, the Christmas season lasted into January and concluded on Twelfth Night, a festive evening to mark the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and celebrated much like our New Year’s Eve is today. While the entire period featured frequent banquets and balls with much food and spirits, Twelfth Night was especially … Continue reading Historical Holiday Cheer
Christmas in Fredericksburg with George Washington, 1769
Six-year-old George Washington and his family moved to the land we call Ferry Farm late in 1738, perhaps even in time to mark Christmas in their new home. If so, it was the first of many. George lived at Ferry Farm into young adulthood. Interestingly, the best documented Christmas he spent in Fredericksburg was actually … Continue reading Christmas in Fredericksburg with George Washington, 1769
The Whimsical Worlds of Kenmore’s “A Wee Christmas”
This year is our first-ever “A Wee Christmas -- Dollhouses and Miniatures Show” at Historic Kenmore! “A Wee Christmas” has brought together many different dollhouses, miniature scenes, and figurines loaned by friends, neighbors, and staff for visitors to Kenmore Plantation to enjoy. The highly detailed, replica dollhouse of Kenmore on display in our Crowninshield Museum … Continue reading The Whimsical Worlds of Kenmore’s “A Wee Christmas”
Ferry Farm is “Home Sweet Home” for the Holidays
Tradition says that Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington, was well-known for her excellent gingerbread. The story goes that she even served her gingerbread to the Marquis de Lafayette when he visited Fredericksburg as part of his postwar tour of America in 1784. Inspired by this tale and as Mary’s home for three decades … Continue reading Ferry Farm is “Home Sweet Home” for the Holidays
‘A Wee Christmas’ Display Inspired by a ‘Wee’ Kenmore
This holiday season, we’re excited to share with our visitors the many dollhouses and miniatures loaned by friends, neighbors, and staff to form our first-ever dollhouses and miniatures show that we’re calling “A Wee Christmas at Historic Kenmore”. A highly detailed, replica dollhouse of Kenmore on display in our Crowninshield Museum served as the inspiration … Continue reading ‘A Wee Christmas’ Display Inspired by a ‘Wee’ Kenmore
A Kenmore Christmas
Historic Kenmore is decorated for the holidays, portraying what it may have looked like during the Christmas season of 1775. At that time, the Lewis family would have just moved into Kenmore a couple of months earlier, and it would have been their first Christmas in the new house. It was a time of some … Continue reading A Kenmore Christmas
Lives & Legacies 