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Ferry Farm visitors say discovery of George Washington's boyhood home makes Independence Day that more special. Date published: 7/5/2008
By DAN TELVOCK Dottie Ford moved as close as she could to get a good look at the rectangular patch of dirt and stone that is the remains of George Washington's boyhood home at Ferry Farm. "This is absolutely cool," she said. "George Washington walked here. There is nothing like it." Wednesday's breaking news of the discovery at the south Stafford County historical site spread fast. Visitors yesterday for Ferry Farm's Independence Day event came from Missouri, Kentucky, Arizona, Florida and Ohio. Marilyn Henderson was surprised by the girth of Washington's house. According to the archeologists, there were eight rooms with three bedrooms on a second floor. "I think it is great that these people are digging up our history," said her husband, Del Henderson. Archeologists, students and interns have excavated the property and sifted soil for seven years. Philip Levy, a research fellow and associate professor of history and adjunct professor of anthropology at the University of South Florida, started the program in partnership with The George Washington Foundation. The foundation owns the 113-acre historic site in south Stafford. "It doesn't look real exciting, a few rocks and a lot of dirt, but for archeologists, it is great," said Samantha Henderson, a member of the field staff. Levy, who played fiddle during yesterday's event, said the discovery has boosted the team's confidence. "I think everybody is really excited," he said. Even with the discovery and about 500,000 artifacts unearthed over seven years, Levy said the team will con-tinue to search for a variety of structures on the plantation. "Because this is an archeologically defined museum, there will always be an archaeological component to the interpretation here," he said. "But our immediate work is still far from over," he said. As they left the roped-off area of Washington's boyhood home, Kerry and Rich Simmons attempted to teach their children the significance of the find near a glass display case of some of the artifacts found there--a Masonic pipe bowl, scissors, pottery and marbles. "It's hard work, and it's about preserving history," Rich Simmons said, a lesson that brought a smile to a nearby field student. Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
WOW, right here in Stafford, the "Foundation of a Nation" where little George learned all those important things that made him a great leader. Vision, Respect, Listening, Character, Honesty, Ethics, Name one other President where we teach our kids about his childhood. Staffords current elected officials should take a history lesson right here in their own back yard.
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