Digging Up George Washington
Archaeologists continue to uncover more about the nation's first president
- By Amanda Bensen
- Smithsonian.com, September 01, 2008, Subscribe
As one of the archaeologists who unearthed George Washington's boyhood home at Ferry Farm this year puts it, the nation's first president "is hot right now." In recent years, excavations have also revealed interesting imprints of Washington's life at these sites:
Mount Vernon
This estate on the banks of the Potomac River was once owned by George Washington's half-brother, Lawrence Washington, who died of tuberculosis in 1752. George took over Mount Vernon when he was about 24 years old (first leasing it from Lawrence's widow, then officially inheriting it). By the time he died in 1799, he had quadrupled the size of the plantation—it included five farms, a fishery and whiskey distillery—and turned the farmhouse into a mansion that is now a popular tourist attraction.
Several generations of archaeologists have explored Mount Vernon over the past century, providing the clues needed to restore parts of the mansion and reconstruct several outbuildings. Recent projects have focused on the distillery, blacksmiths' shop and gardener's house. Last year, the nonprofit group that runs Mount Vernon also added a log cabin to represent typical living quarters for some of the more than 100 slaves Washington kept there. (His will stipulated that they all be freed and equipped with pensions or vocational training after his death.)
Valley Forge
During the winter of 1777-78, George Washington and the 11,000 members of his Continental Army camped here along the Schuylkill River northwest of Philadelphia. It was a tough time for the army, which had just lost two battles and was suffering from a shortage of food and supplies compounded by nasty weather.
Recent excavations of the site (now a national historic park) have turned up details that offer a bit more nuance to this popular story. It seems that many of the soldiers stayed active despite their woes: fixing uniforms and weapons, firing their muskets at a practice range, and even playing games with dice (despite their general's ban on gambling).
Read about a 2000 dig at the Valley Forge site.
The President's House
Before the White House existed, the presidential residence was a mansion located near Independence Hall in Philadelphia. When Washington lived there in the 1790s, he commissioned a dubious addition: quarters for his household slaves, which he kept through exploiting a loophole in Pennsylvania's 1780 gradual abolition law. At least nine slaves lived there during his presidential tenure, though evidence suggests that two of them escaped.
The house and slave quarters were eventually demolished, and the site is now a national historical park on Independence Mall. Archaeologists got a chance to excavate there last summer as part of a plan to create a memorial to the slaves. Among other things, they dug up the foundations of the kitchen and an underground passageway that connected it to the main house.
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Comments (12)
We have an a fairly large print, which fits the description of George Washington and His Mother above. My husband purchased it for me in the mid-'80s from an eastern NC antique store for about $75. We had it framed with acid-free materials and a wide mahogany wood frame surrounding it...and have loved it ever since. At the time my husband was a chief care-taker of his mother and her affairs, which required not only love but daily patience and understanding. We had read of the oftentimes strained relationship between George Washington and his mother, whose personality was evidently a difficult one and could be a trial to him. (We didn't have that problem!) But "GW and his mama" as my husband refers to the engraving, was a visible encouragement during quite a long period of time. Our print does have issues such as foxing and some "white spots"...maybe from mildew?...and even a small crack within the paper in an area of the scenery. We talk about getting a professional restorer to look at it; but, not knowing an estimated value, wondered if it would be worthwhile, or should we simply continue to love it as is. Question: Will it continue to deteriorate or has the adding of acid-free materials essentially stopped the process? Thanks! Kay & Jim Mann PS Acquiring the print spurred a great interest in reading all things we see about George Washington; James Thomas Flexner's WASHINGTON, THE INDISPENSABLE MAN, is still my personal favorite of all! I lived with that book for weeks, which led me to his three-volume biography of Washington and on to other Washington biographies, plus an active interest in Mount Vernon, and an on-going membership. Folks writing above are so right; the knowledge about the importance of George Washington surely needs to be kept alive, especially among our children and grandchildren! km
Posted by Kay Mann on September 27,2011 | 01:10 PM
I have the same or similar picture that has been in my family for many many years. Mary Washington is wearing a fur wrap with head covering and many keys hang from her belt showing control over her estate. George is looking down at her very lovingly as they stand by a pond near servants quarters. Were many copies made of this print? How do I find someone who can appraise prints?
Thanks, Joanne Chhabra
Posted by Joanne Chhabra on September 11,2011 | 10:02 PM
My grandm actual found the same pisture but the year is 1883 and we had it verified as the original and it going to be framed in some collectors museum or something. I do not all the detils yet but it was completely hidden with barks of wood covering it behind an antique photo she bought from the 19th century
Posted by desaree on February 12,2011 | 02:30 AM
where can i get info on the same picture george washington and his mother by louis eduorard fournier?
Posted by cindy on May 20,2010 | 05:27 PM
Words cannot express my fascination and admiration of this man. He is America.
One day I will make a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon to visit his spirit and try to understand what he imagined.
Posted by Peter Chokly on February 4,2010 | 01:22 PM
do you know where george and martha's wedding bands are?Are they with the smithsonian?Do you have pictures of them?
Posted by richard walker on April 19,2009 | 09:09 PM
i also was given a print by louis fournier of george washington and his mother. i know it's at least 60 years old. could you please let me know any info on this print? thanks alot, many family members are curious about this print also. thanks lori kouten
Posted by lori kouten on November 12,2008 | 12:36 PM
I have a print 11 x 14 with the words copywright 1803 by Gebbie & Co directly under the picture and above the Title -WASHINGTON AND HIS MOTHER.
Posted by .Janet Maranto on November 3,2008 | 03:22 PM
This is cool and fasinating.
Posted by Gabriella on October 12,2008 | 05:45 PM
I think u guys are doing such a great job.After all if it wasn't for George Washington we would have no president today.I also think that the goverment should do more to preserve Mt. vernon..he is after all the true founding father in my eyes..once again Thank you for your time and entergy.. sincerly,Lana
Posted by Lana Fishel on September 11,2008 | 10:53 PM
This image in question may be photogravure (engraving) of a work by Louis E. Fournier. I've seen a number of variations of such an image, usually titled "Washington and his Mother" (found within books, as an individual print, etc.). I would not be surprised if the image you have found is "original" - and it would most likely date to the late 19th century. Greg Stoner, Director of Curatorial Operations, George Washington Foundation
Posted by Greg Stoner on September 10,2008 | 12:07 PM
My husband recently came across (in his mother's attic) what seems to be a small painting or etching of George Washington and his Mother. It has Geo Washighton and his Mother written on the matting below the picture. From what I've seen online it looks like they are standing in front of the slave quarters at the site of Ferry Farm. Mary Washington is wearing a dark colored cloak and a white head covering and is hunched over. There are slaves in the background. We do not know if this is authentic but would love to know who to contact to find out. Thank you. Joe Frank and Michelle Garner
Posted by Michelle Garner on August 29,2008 | 08:27 PM