What's New at the Museums?

At Kenmore, the Washington-Lewis Chapter of the NSDAR generously supported the creation of a new Discovery Room, an education center for children and their families to learn about the lives and legacies of the people who lived and worked at Historic Kenmore. The room is adjacent to the Kitchen in the North Dependency building next to the mansion.

At Ferry Farm, this past summer’s archaeological dig was actually two digs, both rich in 18th-century finds. 

  The first site unearthed items such as a clipped Spanish coin, sherds to a Westerwald ink well, shark teeth, and prehistoric pottery. A very exciting find was a complete pipe bowl (right) stamped with maker’s mark, “TD.” 


The other dig site revealed artifacts that had been burned in a very high temperature fire, including architectural artifacts, charred ceramics, and melted glass.

Night in Washington's Day

Saturday, November 4, 7-9:30 pm


Experience the 18th century in a whole new light! This year, we’ve got a brand-new take on our annual Night in Washington’s Day Program. Explore the illuminated grounds, 1775 mansion, and outbuildings of Historic Kenmore to see how surprisingly active nights were in the 18th century.


Visitors of all ages will experience the dining, dancing, and drinking of the gentry and hear the words of the enslaved people who worked day and night on the property. 


The Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society will perform a dancing demonstration, a Taverner will share what life was like in the taverns, and apple cider and our famous gingerbread will be served. Guests will see firsthand the ingenious ways rooms were lit up on 18th century evenings. Hands-on activities will recreate an up-close look at lighting techniques. It’s a night transformed from fearful darkness to an illuminated liveliness!



Advance ticket purchase for an entry time is required. Entry times are in half hour increments.

$15.00 – adults

$7.00 – students (ages 6-17)

Free – children (age 5 & under)

TICKETS

Call for Entries:

Wee Christmas Dollhouses

and Miniatures Exhibit

Entry forms due: November 18

Drop off date: December 2



Call for entries for our 9th annual Wee Christmas Dollhouses and Miniatures Exhibit at Historic Kenmore! If you have a dollhouse, room box, covered vignette, or unique miniatures display that would wow spectators, that is no small feat!


The exhibit runs from December 3-30 and on January 5, 6, and 7 during Twelfth Night.


Click for full information & entry form.

Call for Entries:

Gingerbread Contest

and Exhibit

Drop off dates: Nov. 25 – Dec. 2

Exhibit dates: December 3-30



Is your gingerbread confection perfection? Does your icing piping conjure up pure artistry? Show off your edible creativity at Ferry Farm’s 37th Annual Gingerbread Contest and Exhibit. This year’s theme will bake up smiles – “A Critter Christmas.” Entry drop-off is November 25-December 2 and will be exhibited at the Ferry Farm Visitor Center December 3-30.


Click for full information, recipe, & entry form.

Exhibits sponsored by Hilldrup Moving and Storage. Prizes donated by: Benny Vitali's, FXBG.com, LibertyTown Arts Workshop, Riverby Books.

Taste Through Time:

Spilling the Tea Since 1773

Sunday, December 17, 12-4 pm


This edition of Taste Through Time will be a discussion and tea tastings for the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party!

Come to the Historic Kenmore Kitchen to sip the teas that American Patriots dumped in Boston Harbor last night (December 16) in 1773. While sipping your rebellious beverage, warm up out of the cold with a seat by the fire and hear discussions about why the tea was dumped and the implications made on all of American History because of it. 


See a demonstration of how tea was made, poured, and enjoyed in the 18th century (before the boycott, of course). Children can toss their own tea in a simulated tea party for themselves. At the end of it all, have a vote on whether or not you would have partaken in this act if given the choice. 


The kitchen will be open throughout the day, and entry is included with general admission fees. Visitors may reserve house tour tickets online or purchase on-site at the front desk. Museum-only admission can be purchased on-site. Both admission rates include entry to the kitchen. House tours are at 12:15, 1:30, & 2:45.

TICKET INFO

Twelfth Night at Kenmore:

A Dramatic Performance

Saturday, November 4, 7-9:30 pm


Experience the candlelight, music, and decorations of a colonial Christmas …and the uncertainty of Revolution.


In Twelfth Night at Kenmore, it is early January 1776 and the first Christmas that Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis celebrate in their newly built home. In the 18th century, December 25 was just the start of Christmas, a twelve-day celebration that ended on Twelfth Night. This final night was the most festive of the holiday season, if not of the entire year! Twelfth Night 1776 is not the usual joyous atmosphere, however. The Revolutionary War brings fear, doubt, and frustration to the Lewis family, their friends, and Kenmore’s enslaved community.


View dramatic scenes by costumed actors in the first-floor rooms of Kenmore with special musical performances by Colonial Faire. Advance ticket purchase strongly encouraged.


Performance Times: 4:15, 5:00, 5:45, 6:45, 7:30 p.m.

$20.00 – adults

$10.00 – students (ages 6-17)

Free – children (ages 5 & under)

(Plus, processing fee.)

TICKETS
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The George Washington Foundation
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to enhance the public understanding and appreciation of the lives, values, and legacies of George Washington, Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis, and the people who lived and worked on the properties with them.
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