Laureen's Visit Part 3: Reconstructing George Washington's Boyhood Home

In this last blog about our friend Laureen's visit, we're going to take you to the site of George
Washington's boyhood home and how it's being reconstructed. We visited Fredericksburg, Virginia and came upon George Washington's Ferry Farm.

WHAT IS GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FERRY FARM? - located at 268 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA and the property overlooks the  Rappahannock River. 

WHAT'S THE RECONSTRUCTION ABOUT?  - We learned that the original home, barn, and buildings were all destroyed. The original site was lost over time and after the original building was razed, it disappeared after being overgrown with grasses and covered in dirt.
  Another building was built on the property and owned by a religious group. It stood for decades.

The house is still being framed in Oct. 2016

In 2006 it was purchased by the George Washington Foundation who brought archaeologists to hunt for the foundation. They found it - about a 10 minute walk from the newer building.

REBUILDING STILL HAPPENING IN 2016 - Once the foundation was uncovered, and a blueprint of the original house was found, the reconstruction started and was happening when we were visiting. They're building a replica of Washington house on its archaeological footprint, reconstructing the kitchen and outbuildings, and recreating the period landscape. 
 CAN YOU HELP?  Yes. You can Donate  to give as part of the Campaign to restore the home.

Looking up at the house from the Rappahanock River

HISTORY - George Washington was 6 years old in 1738 when his family moved to a farm in Stafford County, Virginia. The Washingtons called this place the Home Farm but it later became known as Ferry Farm because people crossed the Rappahannock River on a ferry from the farm to the town of Fredericksburg. The Washingtons did not own or operate the ferry but used it frequently to get to and from town.

Archaeological dig still happening

A COOL IPAD TOUR - Explore Ferry Farm with the iPad tour, Uncovering George Washington’s Youth—updated for Phase 1 construction. 
  The ipad has about 14 locations you can walk to that have significance in the archaeological dig and where buildings stood during Washington's time. 
   Back in the Visitor's center you can view the archaeology laboratory and “The Science of History at Ferry Farm.”

BOTTOM LINE - It's really interesting to see how this site is being "Brought back from the ashes." Well worth visiting. 

FOR INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS - http://www.kenmore.org/ff_home.html