Fourth of July at Ferry Farm

Ferry Farm was George Washington's boyhood home, he lived there from about the age of six until adulthood.  It is just on the edge of Fredericksburg, on the other side of the Rappahannock River.  A couple weeks ago we visited there, and were told that on the Fourth of July they have a big event with games, actors in period costume, music, and crafts.  So that's where we headed to celebrate Independence Day.  It only cost $1 per person to get in for the event, a HUGE bargain.  There were quite a few people there, but because things were spread out over a large area, it didn't feel crowded and we didn't have to wait in line for many things.  The planners clearly had children in mind, because there was an endless number of activities for Elise and Anja, who wandered from one tent and table to the next.

Learning to spin

 

Anja learning to weave

 

Elise learning to weave

 

Writing with a quill

 

Writing with a quill...it is harder than you think

 

Anja and Elise's quill-created signatures

 

Anja in a dugout canoe

Elise in a dugout canoe

This man is not portraying George Washington.  He is portraying a Spanish general who brought soldiers up to help the American Revolutionaries.  Huh, never knew the Spanish helped the Americans!  As Jason put it, "the Spanish wanted to stick it to the British."

Grinding corn

I want to title this "Face Painting," but since they put it on their arm, that doesn't seem appropriate.

Anja doing some laundry the really old-fashioned way.

Horse races!

Crafts!

Anja in a Native American dwelling

The girls grinding corn at the Native American exhibit.