Historic Kenmore

Today I took Emery and Reece to Fredericksburg, VA. We visited the Kenmore Mansion. Home of George Washington's sister, Betty Washington Lewis. The home was build in the 1770's to show off their wealth. It sat on a 500 acre plantation just off the Rappahannock River. Across the river is Ferry Farm, George Washington's childhood home. It's interesting that George and Betty Washington were considered gentry but they were not as wealthy as the Lewis family.  Fielding Lewis was a patriot he gave a considerable amount of money in support of American independence.  The home was beautiful. The plaster ceilings were amazing. Unfortunately, no photography was permitted inside the home. 

I love this picture.  Emery is such a fun kid, always up for anything.  We are going to have a lot of fun exploring together.

 Reece had a good time wondering around outside in the garden area.  He was pretty good during the house tour but he really wanted to get down. Unfortunately, they don't like babies walking around in 1770's homes.  Go figure?

The Laundry

 A view from the back of the house.  We got to see a cooking demonstration in the little building (on right).  That was the kitchen.  Apparently having a separate kitchen from your home was a sign of social status back then.  Kitchens often burt down, and so only the most wealthy could afford to build a separate building for their kitchen.  The building (on left) was the laundry.  They have converted that into office space for todays purposes.

It was popular to "slack-rope" walk back then.  It seems more dificult than tight rope walking,  Apparently women were more skilled at this then men because of their center of gravity.  Emery thought it was cool.

Emery is lawn bowling while Reece enjoys some fruit snacks.  Behind them is the kitchen building.

 Inside the museum they had some really cool displays and some more kid friendly activities.

Just down the block is the Fredericksburg Confederate cemetery.  It was massive and this picture doesn't do it justice.  Notice all the tiny head stones those when on to the left and right for acres.  I still can't believe how many people lost their lives during the Civil War.  Luckily the Kenmore house survived the war it saw two battles and was struck by cannon balls.  It was used as a field hospital in 1864.