FERRY FARM

1. FERRY FARM • George Washington’s boyhood home from 1738 to 1753 • Fredericksburg, Virginia • Owned by the George Washington Fredericksburg Foundation

2. The George Washington Fredericksburg Foundation • They own several properties in the area. • Ferry Farm and Kenmore Plantation are the only two open to the public. • Kenmore Plantation was Washington’s sister (Betty) and her husband’s home. • It is still standing and is currently undergoing a million dollar restoration and preservation project.

3. Saved From Wal-Mart • The property was about to become a Wal-Mart in the mid 1990s, but there was a huge public outcry. • Instead the county sold the property for one million so that a museum could be created. • This is the 6th year of excavations. • There were possibly 6 houses on the site from 1710 to the mid 1990s. So far the first house, built in 1710 has been excavated as well as the house after the Washington occupation which was destroyed during the Civil War. • We think this year’s excavation was on the Washington house.

4. Site Overview • Ferry Farm now consists of 100 acres of river front property along the Rappahannock River. • The town of Fredericksburg is directly across the river.

5. Pictures of the FF-10 • While the Washington’s lived on the farm a free ferry ran from their property to the town. • There was also a road which cut through the farm leading to the ferry crossing. The town of Fredericksburg

6. Goals of the George Washington Fredericksburg Foundation • Recreate the Washington house as it would have looked when George lived there. • Learn more about an average 1740s colonial plantation in the region. • Learn more about Washington’s mother, Mary. She was an unusually independent woman for the time period. Washington never got along with her there is not a lot known about her.

7. What the site looked like at the end of the season

8. Arial View of Ferry Farm

9. Washington Myths • Cutting down the cherry tree myth. • Throwing a silver dollar across the Rappahannock. • Marrying Martha for her money or for love.

10. Washington’s home from the age of 6 to 17 • George lived on the property as a child from 1738-53. He left when he was 17 to become a surveyor. • His mother lived on and ran Ferry Farm until 1772, when she was forced to move into town.

12. Native American Occupation • The site has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years. • It was home to many different Native American tribes during that time. • Clovis point found on Ferry Farm.

13. Native American Occupation • We did find a possible hearth feature right out side of the structure this summer. • We did find several projectile points. • We also found some Native American pottery.

14. First Colonial Settlement at Ferry Farm • The first colonial house was built in approximately 1710. • It is probably Maurice Clark’s house, a freed indentured servant.

15. Maurice Clark House Excavation

16. Civil War Impact • Picture of Ferry Farm during the Civil War

17. Civil War Trench • Changes in soil texture and color help to identify features

18. EXCAVATION TECHNIQUES • Open area excavation • Excavated in 5 feet by 5 feet squares • Engineer’s Scale • Features excavated stratigraphically

19. Stratigraphy • Topsoil • Plowzone • Feature • Subsoil Most artifacts are found in the plowzone and features.

20. Excavating Features • Features can be very obvious or vague and difficult to see • Features are very important in recreating the house • Features can range from very small to quite large

21. Identifying and Excavating Trenches • Important because they create the outline of the house Modern trench from the last farm house and colonial trench from the Washington house

22. Small Finds • Dry and Wet Screening • Small Finds

23. Architectural Elements • Most important to the recreation of the Washington House • Different types of Brick and Plaster

25. ARTIFACTS • Ceramics • Glass • Metal • Faunal • Wood