by gwffoundation | Dec 20, 2020 | Historic Kenmore, History of Slavery, Kenmore Enslaved Community Project, Lives & Legacies
“My Dear Brother, I wish you to give Howell some advice how to Proseed in regard to two Negroes that Runaway from me a few days before Christmas…” With those words in the early spring of 1794, Betty Lewis informed her brother, George Washington, of a difficult...
by gwffoundation | Nov 4, 2020 | Historic Kenmore, Lewis Family, Lives & Legacies
On walls of the Historic Kenmore’s drawing room hang two large portraits of a man and a woman. The man is an older gentleman in a serene outdoor setting, looking quite dignified and sober in a brownish knee-length jacket, knee breeches and long waistcoat. His...
by gwffoundation | Oct 1, 2020 | Historic Kenmore, History of Slavery, Kenmore Enslaved Community Project, Lives & Legacies
In our ongoing series of investigations into the lives of Historic Kenmore’s enslaved community during the Lewis era, we recently uncovered another full identity behind what was once just a name. Once again, close examination of long-forgotten documents and...
by gwffoundation | Jun 17, 2020 | Historic Kenmore, History of Slavery, Kenmore Enslaved Community Project, Lives & Legacies
As part of our ongoing effort to research the enslaved communities that once lived and worked at Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm, we recently came across some very unusual information pertaining to a young enslaved woman named Charlotte who resided...
by gwffoundation | May 14, 2020 | Archaeology, Historic Kenmore, Lives & Legacies
Rodents are usually seen as one of a museum’s greatest enemies. They damage valuable artifacts and buildings, leave a mess wherever they go, and frighten unsuspecting visitors. Like most museums, Historic Kenmore does its best to make sure no pests make their home in...
by gwffoundation | May 12, 2020 | Archaeology, Historic Kenmore, Lives & Legacies
In this video, we pick apart a rodent’s nest discovered by archaeologists investigating Historic Kenmore’s walls and floors for architectural artifacts. Like most museums, we take extensive pest prevention measures today but, back when it was an actual home,...
