Thursday, July 12, 2018

Grandson's Visit to Historical Sites



We always have the grandsons come for a visit during their summer break.  They recently came for six days.  They are really growing up quickly and we always try to find something they will enjoy.  After a day at Water Country we brought them back to our home for a visit.  We did the usual cookie baking, bocce playing, and German Checkers.  These boys love games and are quite competitive.  



We thought it would be nice to take them to the local area historical sites.  There is much to see in our town and frankly it was a great excuse to visit these spots Grayden and I hadn't been back to since their Dad was a little boy. 

I've mentioned a couple times this year about the opening of Ferry Farm--Washington's Boyhood home.  If you want you can read about our visit there on Independence Day as well as with our daughter and son-in-law and their son.  The boys have noted when they have visited in the past that the building was being constructed at Ferry Farm and we promised them we would visit there when they come up.


They embraced the idea of being able to touch and feel all the items in the house at Ferry Farm.



It was a beautiful day to be outdoors and enjoy the lower humidity!


We bought the Heritage Pass that allowed us to visit three additional sites while the boys were here.  The first one was Hugh Mercer Apothecary. 


You may know that the Apothecary was the important place one would visit if they were ill in the 1700's.  It was run by Hugh Mercer who came to Fredericksburg at the request of George Washington.  If you make a visit here you probably would rather die than take the treatments described!  The boys found it fascinating!  


All sorts of herbs and spices await your every ailment.  Of course some of these herbs are precursors to our current day medications.

If you are squeamish please skip the next photo.  Remember, I warned you!


Blood letting was widely practiced and the use of leeches was quite prevalent.  Much better than the alternative of the twelve razor blade lance that was also used for blood letting.  Leeches are still used today to help heal wounds and restore circulation in blocked vessels.



The next day on our agenda was the Rising Sun Tavern.


Photos are not allowed in the tavern.  The Rising Sun Tavern was originally built in 1760 as the home of Charles Washington, George's youngest brother.   It became a tavern in 1792 and was considered a proper tavern--one where a lady could stay and not ruin her reputation!


There are lovely furnishings and gorgeous quilts in this tavern that are from the 1700's.  


After touring the tavern we viewed the pretty garden out back.




You can see the old roof line of the Rising Sun Tavern in the above photo.

The next site we visited was the Mary Washington House.  She lived at Ferry Farm long after her children had left home.  Her daughter Betty married Fielding Lewis and lived across the river in Kenmore.  George wanted his mother to be near her so he bought her this home in town.  She really didn't want to move.  It is said she did so quite unwillingly, but was happy to be near her daughter, Betty.


Again no photography was allowed inside of this very interesting home. Mary Ball Washington lived here for 17 years before she passed away at the age of 80.  That was quite old for the time and she still ran her household in this new home.  There are period pieces here and a few things that did belong to Mary Washington.  A lovely teapot and a Chippendale mirror that she originally brought from Ferry Farm.


Out back is the recreated garden of Mary Washington.  




The above short stone columns used to lead to a path that Mary Washington would go to visit her daughter at Kenmore.




There was also a reproduction kitchen out in the garden.  There were old tools and cooking implements.

We really enjoyed our visit with the grandchildren.  I asked them what they thought of visiting the historical sites.  They wanted to be polite and said they enjoyed it.  Alex rated the sites with a medium grade!  I guess that's pretty good for a fifteen year old. ♥










35 comments:

  1. A C? Oh dear...maybe it’ll be a higher grade in a few more years. Your grands are getting so tall! Glad that you all enjoyed time together. I found it interesting that the Washingtons had the same sorts of concerns that people have today...moving to be near family, staying well, and living to a good old age, which 80 surely is.

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    1. Vee, I must admit to being a little surprised at Alex's answer. The boys have grown so much this summer! Miles told me that he wasn't that much taller, but that I must have shrunk. Kids are so funny, but speak the truth. ♥

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  2. Oh my goodness.. those are two extraordinarily handsome grandsons you have! Ours are 9 and 10 and they grow by the day. It's quite amazing. They live with us so we don't have huge changes to see but I can still see they're bigger each day. Have a fab weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thank you, Teresa, it is such a joy to be with our grandchildren. We have our older grandson, Samuel, living with us while he attends college. I know you must really enjoy having your's so close. We always say being a grandparent is like the icing on the cake. Have a lovely weekend. ♥

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  3. What a blessing to have so much American history in your backyard, Martha Ellen! It looks like an A+ to me! Sharing this special time making memories with your grandsons is such a wonderful thing. I know they will always remember how special you and Grayden make them feel as you plan the perfect blend of activities for each visit. You both get 'extra credit' on the 'fun grandparents' scale! It's such fun to watch the boys growing up! Wishing you and Grayden a nice, relaxing weekend, dear friend! ��

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend for the good grade. We want to expose the grands to all that we can. As you know we love history and hope to impart that love or spark of interest to them. We do have so much history in our own backyard that we don't want to take for granted without passing it on to them. Now that they are back home I do admit to being a little tired, but a good tired for having them here. I hope your weekend is full of joy, dear friend. ♥

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  4. That must have been a lovely time visiting all these historical places with your grandsons, they look so handsome. I think they are about the same age as my boys, they are 11 and 14.

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    1. It was fun taking them around our town that we sometimes take for granted. These two grands are 13 and 15 years old. I can hardly believe that! ♥

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  5. Your grandsons have certainly grown up a lot since last summer! It's lovely they were willing to visit historical sites--even though Alex only gave it a medium grade they looked like they were enjoying themselves--they must have just enjoyed being with you two!

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    1. Cathy, the boys have grown so much this year! They are way taller than Grayden and I and almost as tall as our son. I think they did enjoy themselves. Alex is a tough critic, but did appear to enjoy each place. Miles loved the Apothecary and wanted us to buy him a leech! Funny child.♥

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  6. What a blessing they are, indeed, and I think it is wonderful that you are memory making again this summer with your grandsons and connecting with so much history at the same time! Maybe the low grades will go up with time? You do live in an amazingly historically rich area, and I enjoy, and look forward to, the visits you take us on. Such a relief the humidity gave way!

    Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you do, Dear Martha Ellen

    ~~~Waving~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Deb. Our grandchildren mean the world to us! We always try to find creative ways to entertain them and maybe learn a little at the same time. We try to remember how we felt at 15 and I for one surely didn't appreciate history like I do now. Looking with older eyes makes a difference.
      Our humidity has returned and we are now stuck in air conditioning again--Ugh! Can you believe after the flooding we've had no rain for July? I hope the weather has moderated for you, my dear friend. Enjoy your weekend. xoxo ♥

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  7. You took us on such a wonderful tour that I thoroughly enjoyed, so much history on your doorstep. The perfect way to create some amazing memories to treasure with those handsome Grandsons of yours.

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    1. I know you know the joy of grandchildren. It's wonderful when we can all get together. Thank you for visiting with us. ♥

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  8. How nice spending time with your Grandchildren.
    I really enjoyed your photos and especially loved the pretty room
    with the blue fireplace and spinning wheel and the kitchen too.

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    1. Fiona, since you enjoyed Hugh Mercer's bedroom, you would really love seeing Mary Washington's home inside. I'm sorry, but no photos were allowed. There are quilts from the 17th century there and at the Rising Sun Tavern. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment!

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    2. Thank you, Martha Ellen for sharing a lovely post with us:)
      I am sure I would enjoy Mary Washington's home.
      I just love British and American History especially learning
      about everyday lives and wish I had a time machine x

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  9. As much as I have visited Historic Fredericksburg, I've yet to tour the Apothecary shop and now will definitely make a point of it. Ferry Farm is a must also. Great pictures of Grandsons and Grand dad. We like taking the girls even though they are young, to historical sites and I know they would love Ferry Farm and the Apothecary shop. Rising Sun Tavern is a must see also. Handsome young boys and so fortunate to have Grandparents take so much quality time with them. I must look into German checkers. That is one game I am not familiar with. Board games are fun.
    Happy Saturday
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy, you and I both share a joy of being with our grandchildren. We always find it fun and interesting to share with them. I do hope you bring your grands to Historic Fredericksburg.
      The boys enjoy games and German Checkers is a game that you will not find commercially. Grayden played this when he was younger and made this board when he was a teenager. It's kind of like Parcheesi--a very simple, but fun game. Enjoy your weekend. ♥

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  10. I love visiting historical sites! This had to be a very special time! Always seems a bit odd how quickly the grandchildren become such an age! ...xoxo

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    1. That is so true, Nellie. Time is flying! Have a nice weekend. xoxo ♥

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  11. Looks like you all had a good time together. Seeing that homemade game board took me back in time. My grandfather made game boards and there was one very much like yours! Fredericksburg looks like a great spot to visit. I always wonder why they elect to not let you take pictures in places. I can see no flash photography especially if there are things photo sensitive. The Aothecary shop looks fascinating although the medical cures back then often did more harm than good. Didn’t they determine that George Washington died as a result of too much blood letting? Your grandsons will remember these places with fondness especially as they get older. I’m glad you’ve shared things about Historic Fredericksburg which I knew nothing about!

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    1. Liz, that's neat that your grandfather made a similar game! We've never seen another one.
      Fredericksburg is a fascinating place to visit if you enjoy history. You are right about blood letting with George Washington. He had an issue with not being able to breathe because of a tonsillar abscess. Our daughter had this happen to her a couple of years ago. If they had lanced that instead of blood letting he may have survived!
      I think the photography issue involves pieces that are privately owned. I imagine they don't have the permission of the owners. We have seen this all over the world. ♥

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  12. You have two very handsome grandsons and how wonderful that you were able to spend time with them. I went to Ferry Farm many, many years ago and we really ought to go again to refresh. I remember it being so pretty out there. Thank you for sowing the seed again. Great photos!

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    1. Thank you, Denise. You would enjoy Ferry Farm again as the home that George Washington grew up in has been recreated over the original foundation. ♥

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  13. Oh Martha Ellen, I can comment on here today, but most of the time I can't, so I'll take advantage of it today haha. It gives me a chance to see your post again of your grandsons having a great time visiting with you during the summer. I always notice the brick in your kitchen, it's so charming. Your grandsons have the nicest smiles. Thank you for popping over to the blog today. I appreciate that, as it's been 6 months and I'm kind of rusty haha.

    Have a wonderful week, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. I'm so glad you can comment again, my friend. I'm also glad to see you back to posting your lovely thoughts and photos. It doesn't look like you are rusty at all. I think we all need a break sometimes. Welcome back! ♥

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  14. Your visiting grandsons are very handsome, Martha Ellen! It looks like they enjoyed the historical visits you made with them. I loved seeing all these important places from George'Washington's life, It is interesting when you talked about the practice of "blood letting" as I read in a few biographies of GW that many present day doctors feel the excessive blood letting, when he was ill with strep throat, weakened him so much that he could not fight the infection and died.

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    1. Thank you Pat. Our grands are very handsome, if I do say so myself.
      I've learned that George Washington probably had a tonsillar abscess that needed lancing instead of blood letting. I'm so glad medicine has come a long ways from yesteryear! They used to amputate limbs way too frequently as well. No wonder folks waited to visit the doctor! ♥

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  15. Such a cool place to visit and be out and about. When I was younger I took in the historial homes around my area, course I worked at the Hermitage, Home of Pres. Andrew Jackson. Love that history.Thanks for sharing and for dropping by the blog while I was out and about and roaming all over.

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    1. I'm sure you learned quite a bit working at the Hermitage. I've never visited there. I'm sure it's really interesting! Glad to see you are enjoying your trip. ♥

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  16. How wonderful to have history right at your back door. I enjoyed visiting these wonderful places with you so much. These special times spent with grandparents will mean so much to your boys down through the years.

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    1. I'm so happy you came along with us Chip Butter. Our grands mean the world to us, don't they? Have a happy day. ♥

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  17. So nice to spend time with your grandsons, this looks a lovely place to visit.

    All the best Jan

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