Preservation - 1932 to 1996

In 1928, a group called George Washington Foundation, Inc. acquired Ferry Farm, but the Depression forced them to default on the mortgage with the property reverting to Colbert. The preservation group was subsequently re-formed as George Washington Farm, Inc., and in 1945, this organization purchased Ferry Farm. In 1959, another attempt to preserve the farm was undertaken with a portion of the property being acquired by Youth for Christ, Inc. and George Washington Boyhood Home Restoration, Inc. They constructed a two-story, brick school building (the current visitor center). Like its predecessor, George Washington Farm, Inc. was unable to raise sufficient money to acquire clear title to the property, and the site was purchased by Samuel and Irma Warren in 1969. Read more about the history of Ferry Farm.

Visitor's center building at Ferry Farm
Visitor Center at Ferry Farm

Proposed Wal-Mart Site ~ In 1990, after years of negotiations, the Warrens deeded the 36 acres that contained the archaeological site to Stafford County in exchange for the rezoning of the remaining 52 acres from agricultural to business. Stafford established the George Washington Boyhood Home Foundation to preserve the property as a historic attraction. By 1996, a proposal to build a Wal-Mart on the rezoned portion of the property eventually resulted in the purchase of the 52-acre parcel by the Kenmore Association, founded in 1922 to preserve the colonial house of Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis (George Washington's sister). At the same time, the archaeological site was transferred to the Kenmore Association as well. The Kenmore Association changed its name to George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation to reflect its expanded stewardship and opened the site to the public.

Toy shark
Shark Toy ~ Twentieth-century children’s toys found on the site include baby dolls, marbles, jacks, and this plastic, gray shark.

Metal hatchet
Hatchet ~ Items commemorating Washington, like this hatchet, occasionally turn up on the site at Ferry Farm.

Flag Pin ~ This flag lapel pin was excavated by a staff archaeologist on July 4th, 2002.