George Washington’s Boyhood Home Ferry Farm Gets a Furniture Update–And Old Village Paints Were Used!

“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.” (kenmore.org)

When we received an email from Steve Dietrich, an Early American Furniture Reproduction Specialist letting us know he had been hired by the George Washington Foundation to create several furniture pieces for Ferry Farm, and had used Old Village Paints, we were excited!

Here’s some photos and some more of the story from Steve:

I used your paint on four pieces I made for the George Washington Foundation – two beds based on an original in the Foundations’ collection in the Kenmore house using Rittenhouse Red, a bed based on an original in Weatherburn’s Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg using Hunter Green, and a blanket chest based on an original in storage in Colonial Williamsburg using Rittenhouse Red for the base coat.

 

Here is a video the Foundation filmed in my workshop of me discussing my work on the project – https://livesandlegaciesblog.org/2018/02/12/video-the-rooms-at-ferry-farm-a-furnishings-update/

 

The curator, Meghan Budinger, was delighted with the beds and the beds.  She especially loved the Hunter Green bed that is in Mary Washington’s bedchamber.

 

I applied the paint using a round French natural bristle brush following the 50/50, 75/25, 100% regimen you recommended.  I found it to be a delight to apply.  It flowed very well, covered superbly and evenly, and dried much more quickly than expected.  It was much easier and more rewarding to use than OF Milk Paint.  And, as you know, much more period correct than Milk Paint…

Hopefully, these painted pieces can help the Ferry Farm interpreters educate the public that the Colonials did have bright colors and that the antiques they see today have darkened with 250 years of fireplace and cooking smoke, tobacco smoke, dirty hands, dust, wax, and all the other contaminates that add to the layers of color deadening grime.  

Best regards, Steve

Thanks Steve for sharing these with us!

I have lived a long time and am convinced that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? I move that prayer imploring the assistance of Heaven be held every morning before we proceed to business.- Benjamin Franklin

To find your nearest dealer click here…  http://www.old-village.com/dealers/

To purchase Old Village Paint online click here…  http://colourcupboard.com

Circa 1700 Farmhouse Painted With Old Village Paint Inside & Out!

Come tour a farmhouse built over 300 years ago! To preserve the historic quality and look of the outside surfaces and interior walls, the owners have chosen a variety of Old Village Paints.  We are honored!

Let’s take a look:

A beautiful wooden staircase sits in nice contrast to a whitewashed wall.

I feel  I could be walking in to sit by the fire with the original inhabitants.

Even though we are the oldest paint and varnish maker in the United States, (since 1816), this house was approximately 115 years old when our company was founded!  What’s the oldest building in your area? Has it been restored? What stories have been documented about it?  We have the privilege of working with numerous historic sites, because our paint is still made with a similar process and materials that were used 200 years ago.  If you’d like to tour more historic sites that use Old Village Paints, you can visit: Pennsylvania Farmstead, or New Hampshire Home Tour or the Hammond-Harwood House.  Enjoy!

To find your nearest dealer click here…  http://www.old-village.com/locator/index.php

To purchase Old Village Paint online click here…  http://colourcupboard.com

Plan A Trip to a Historic Site this Summer!

I love US History! My favorite topics include the Revolutionary War and the Suffragette movement.

If I could go wherever I wanted this summer, I’d be planning trips to Williamsburg the “Disney World of the Revolutionary War” and Washington, DC where they have Women’s Suffragette Tours! Here’s a link to one of them in case you share my “girl-power” passion: http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/activities/womans-suffrage-tours/

I think the key to visiting historic sites is personal interest and planning. What do you find fascinating?

Spies?

Social movements?

Inventions that changed the US?

Find a historic site that corresponds! And, make your trip even more enjoyable by doing some research before you arrive. No- this isn’t grade school, don’t choose a book you know you’ll hate. How do you like to take in information? Visually? Read a non-fiction book, or some historic fiction based around the place or events you’re going to tour. Or watch a well-done documentary. If you’re an auditory learner, rent or buy a book on tape to listen to in the car. Howeveryou learn best, knowing more will make the trip itself so much more meaningful.

Here are a few lists to get to started on planning! Share ideas and photos of your trips with us!

The site has a list of historic sites to visit organized by state. http://www.historyplace.com/tourism/usa.htm

This is a national geographic list of 20 Free Historic Sites in the US. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/free-to-see/historic-sites-us/