Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Happy Independence Day!




For Independence Day we returned to Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home.  At Samuel's request we ventured out on a very warm and muggy July day.  We made sure we carried water and looked for shade whenever possible.



Ferry Farm is a popular spot for families to enjoy the Fourth.  They really do a nice job of having different tents open for children and adults to learn about this era of George Washington.  Also there are different exhibits to learn about the Native Americans that lived here long before the white man came to America. 







This gentleman was telling us about the Patawomeck language that he is trying to decipher and learn.  When the English came to America the language of the Native Americans was forced out of existence.  He is trying to learn this language that has not been used for 300 years!





Samuel and Bear had to take spin in a dugout canoe.  You know how guys are!



The Declaration of Independence takes center stage on the Fourth.



You might know that George Washington wrote a book called The Rules of Civility based on rules from the French Jesuits from 1595.  He copied 110 of these rules for his book when he was sixteen.  Clearly George Washington was an extraordinary young man!  Ferry Farm featured some of these rules of civility about the grounds.  







We decided to go take the tour of the home again.  If you want to see the inside again of  the Ferry Farm home you can go Here  They are continuing to add furnishings.


  
Before leaving I wanted to take a quick look at the garden by the visitor center.







We enjoyed our celebration very much as we remember our First President, George Washington on Independence Day! 












30 comments:

  1. A very historical day...You had to have grit to be out there in this heat. Love the canoe photo...frameworthy. Happy Independence Day!

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    1. Vee, we certainly didn't linger long at each exhibit. I really felt bad for the interpreters dressed in period costume! Samuel and Grayden enjoyed themselves canoeing-just didn't get far. Hope you enjoyed your Independence Day. ♥

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  2. 10 rules of civility are my favorite. Especially the first one. The Declaration of Independence, good to see it on display and taking center stage.
    I will take the children here to visit this summer, but on a cooler day. The heat is just getting to me.
    Looks like a fine time was had and the gardens would be a must for me to see also.
    betsy

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    1. Betsy, my favorite were the Rules of Civility as well! Please go on a cooler day. It was so hot today as you know. Taking your time in cooler weather would be fun. It's so educational. I learn something new each time we visit. George Washington was a very special man who helped shape our country from the start. ♥

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  3. What a perfect place to go on the 4th of July! I enjoyed seeing what you saw and learning about the Rules of Civility, I'd never heard of them. He was such a good leader. Such a 100 degree change to what we have in the White House now. I'd so like to bring our country back into civil times. I don't see my blog on your blog list! LOL! Hint, hint. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, we live in the land of George Washington. He is quite revered around here. You should check out The Rules of Civility at your local library. It's so concerning the division we all are seeing in our country these days. As our nation grows, hopefully we will learn to love one another.
      I really need to do a little housecleaning on my blog. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Have a great day. ♥

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  4. What a lovely day out you had {but someone needs to tell them the canoe needs to be on the water or they won't get anywhere fast}

    How hard to learn an extinct language! Kudos to him, and good luck!

    Do you know, Martha Ellen, sometimes when I read your American adventures, it brings back the memories so strongly that I can feel and smell thins as if I was there. I could have done without the humidity though {we have enough of it here!}

    ~~~Waving~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, I believe the gentleman is feeling the tug of his ancestors to learn his native language. We were quite impressed as well.
      Samuel and Grayden always are game to try the unexpected! For me, it was way too warm for those shenanigans!
      Thank you for coming along with us. I'm so glad to bring back American memories. That makes my heart happy! Stay cool, my friend. xoxo ♥

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  5. Looks like you had a wonderful celebration, what a great place to visit.

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  6. This was just a wonderful way to celebrate our Independence Day. I also enjoyed the Rules of Civility; too bad they aren't practiced very well these days.

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    1. Remembering our beginnings as a nation was a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day, Chip Butter. While at Ferry Farm the children were encouraged to write their own thoughts on civility. I was very happy to see many children writing that kindness was an important virtue along with respecting the thoughts of those that are different than our own. "Out of the mouths of babes." ♥

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  7. Dearest Friend,
    Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
    I so enjoyed your photos and learned along the way!
    What a great way to spend that special day.

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    1. Billie Jo, thank you. Samuel encouraged our visit back to Ferry Farm to celebrate Independence Day. It was so hot and humid, but as grandparents, we'll do most anything for the grandchildren. Have a wonderful weekend. ♥

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  8. Looks like a perfect July 4 outing. Except for the heat. I wonder how the docents managed!

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    1. You are so right--the heat and humidity has been so brutal, Dotsie. The folks in period costume appeared to be doing quite well. The heat has not been my friend this summer, but tomorrow is supposed to be cooler. ♥

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  9. What a lovely blog you have. Just surfed in and read back on several posts. Enjoyed them all. I live in northern Virginia. Denise :)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment, Denise. It's nice to meet another Virginian. ♥

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  10. That must be so interesting to visit there. I don’t know much about George Washington so that is interesting about the book he put out. Looks like you had a good time. I don’t enjoy the heat especially when it’s humid so I applaud you for venturing out!

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    1. Liz, it was so hot on the fourth. If it weren't for our grandson living with us we probably wouldn't have ventured out that very humid day. It was a great way to celebrate with him and get us out enjoying the day as well. ♥

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  11. What a wonderful way to celebrate our Independence day! I always learn so much and appreciate you taking the time to share your day! Hugs Diane

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    1. Thank you, Diane. We are history nuts in our family so you can count on me sharing our adventures. ♥

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  12. I enjoyed seeing your photographs and reading your post.
    This looks the perfect place to go to on the 4th of July.

    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

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  13. It looks like your grandsons had a lot of fun at GW's childhood home, Marha Ellen! George Washington is my favorite President! I've read many biographies about him. I think because he spent many years in New York City I felt his presence there in many areas. Most people do not know that the first revolutionary battle was fought in what is now Brooklyn, NY! I spent a lot of time tracing the battle path and blogging about it years ago--itv was fascinating to me. It was a miracle that the GW and his army escaped the British in that battle --it was almost over there except for the bravery of the Maryland 400.

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    1. I feel the same as you do about George Washington, Pat. It's so interesting that at the age of fourteen he wanted to join the Royal Navy and his mother, Mary, refused to allow that. When I think of that fact alone it gives me goose bumps. The whole future of our country very well could have taken a different turn! I've read about his time in New York and of course when he went to New York, the place of the first Capitol! So many turns could have changed our history along the way. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such an interesting comment. ♥

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  14. I don't know of any 16 year old who would copy rules of civility today. Extraordinary even then, I suspect! And yet I bet he wouldn't be the man he was if he'd spent half his day on Facebook or playing computer games. Does scare me a bit about the future. Love the living history places like this. Cute pic of the canoe-ers. :-) And I love that gorgeous clematis in your header!

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    1. The future sure looks different as well as today looks different is so true, Judy. It worries me as well, but I know all folks through the ages have had those same worries. I hope you enjoy a lovely evening. ♥

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  15. Happy belated fourth of July wishes! Looks like a fun way to enjoy Independence day. Hope you are enjoying these hot summer days and managing to keep cool. It has been a very hot summer here. We need rain desperately. I am constantly watering the gardens. Crossing my fingers our zinnias do well. Take care! xo

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    1. Happy belated Canada Day to you as well, Rosinda! We are continuing to have the hot, humid weather that we experience in Virginia every summer. It must be unusual for you though. We had flooding conditions in June and now no rain so far in July! I hope for both of us we get rain soon, my friend! Our zinnias around the mailbox are just starting to bloom. I think of you when I see them. Have a lovely day! xo

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