Ferry Farm, July 4th

Photo Courtesy of the George Washington Foundation (GWF)

This past Fourth of July, His Excellency General Washington, returned to his roots where he spent the day celebrating with family, neighbors, and distinguished guests as part of the “Spirit of America” Celebration hosted by the George Washington Foundation.


The General began his day with a radio interview with Ted Schubel on WFVA 1230 that was broadcasting live from the Farm part of that morning.  The General then participated in a Flag Retirement Ceremony conducted by Boy Scout Troop 170 along with U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman of the Virginia's 1st District.  That ceremony included the Mayor of Fredericksburg, Dr. Thomas Tomzak, and Stafford County District Supervisors Gary Snellings (Hartwood), Susan Stimpson (Falmouth), and Harry Crisp (George Washington).  During the ceremony, the General addressed the public and reminded them that they were the beneficiaries of the sacrifices that so many had given while gesturing to todays Wounded Warriors that were also present.

Photo Courtesy of the GWF

Afterwards, the General spent the rest of day greeting the public and answering questions.  He was able to visit with his friend General Bernardo Galvez of the Spanish Louisiana Regiment.

The General was also interviewed by Chris Carmichael of B101.5 FM.  Many were there to celebrate the day with him.

Photo Courtesy of the GWF

Celebrating The 4th At Ferry Farm

His Excellency will be at Ferry Farm, his boyhood home for a visit, on the 4th of July.  WFVA, 1230 AM Radio, Ted Schubel will discuss the country's Declaration of Independence from the King from 10 to 11 of the clock.

Fourth of July at Ferry Farm

The General will be making an appearance at Ferry Farm on Monday the 4th of July.  Ferry farm was his boyhood home where he lived from the age of 6 until he was 20. It was here that he learned the values and developed the character that would influence the rest of his life.  Don't miss it!

The Washington's Come to Dinner Review

Colonel and Mrs. Washington made a visit after Church to Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle this Saturday past for dinner.  The meal was delightful and the company well met.  The house was full of friends, neighbors, and servants. Also in attendance were Patsy Custis and Sarah Carlyle who learned some of the art of deportment and dance by the dance mistress, and they provided a small demonstration to the Washington's in perfect accord.  The Washington's give a most sincere thank you to the Carlyle's for their wonderful hospitality.

Mr. Gilbert, the Executive Director of the NVPRA, made a visit and provided us with his thoughts regarding Colonel Washington's part. He said, "Greg does an amazing George Washington, we are extremely fortunate to have his help."

He went on to state that, "The re-enactments are the high points of the year at the Carlyle House. The end goal of any historic site, is not so much the building but the opportunity it provides to teach people about history. I know of no better way to engage the public in history than to make it come alive! The knowledge that each of you brings to this task is amazing."

YMOS,
Lt Col Tilghman

Washington Comes to Dinner

The esteemed Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority has made note of His Excellency's visit to Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle, this Saturday the 12th of February at Noon.

YMOS,

Lt Col Tilghman

General Washington Makes An Appearance in Fredericksburg, VA

General Washington visited Fredericksburg, VA, on 10 January.  He stopped in at the Kenmore Inn to discuss business and politics with OFIC North America's distinguished guests. 

YMOS,
Lt Col Tench Tilghman

2011 Schedule

His Excellency has started planning the next year of travel across these United States.  Contact him soonest to schedule your speaking engagement or appearance by him.

YMOS,
Lt Col Tench Tilghman 

FERRY FARM CELEBRATES WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY IN FAMILY-FRIENDLY STYLE

February 11, 2010 12:36 am

By COLLETTE CAPRARA
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
     The folks at George Washington's boyhood home, Ferry Farm, are gearing up for his annual Birthday Bash on Monday--and this one, organizers say, promises to be the best ever.
     Festivities will begin with Breakfast with George at 9 a.m. Gen. Washington will regale his visitors with tales of the bleak and challenging winter he and his troops spent at Valley Forge, as well as sharing some memories of his childhood on the farm.
     He'll also be posing with guests for photos that they can take home in a souvenir activity booklet.
     "Having breakfast with George is as grand, if not grander, than breakfast with Santa," said Noelle Hall, special events coordinator. "When George walks into that room, everybody's eyes just light up!"
     At 11 a.m., doors will open to a daylong free open house. George will be greeting his guests throughout most of the day, and his Young Friends--in costume and in character--will be leading Colonial-era games for the children, and leading them in musket drills (weather permitting).
     At 1 p.m. all will join in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" for the general, and he'll share his cake with his visitors.
     Children can also try their hand with three crafts that they can take home as mementos of the celebration: a spice-scented pocket sachet, a paper tricorn hat and a paper-bag puppet of George, complete with a ponytail of yarn.
     "The sachet is the most realistic of the crafts we will be making," said tour coordinator Vickie Hayes. "Women actually carried them in those Colonial times, when baths were rare and deodorant nonexistent. They'd hold them under their nose when they were out in the street."
     At 2 p.m., visitors can gather at the old ferry landing at the river's edge and attempt to accomplish George's legendary stone-throw across the Rappahannock. In the past, participants have ranged from toddlers to senior citizens, and this year anyone age 18 or under whose stone reaches the far shore will be awarded a $100 savings bond by Peoples Community Bank.
     As a new feature, throughout the day, tours of the site's archaeology lab will be offered. Guests will learn about different processes used on artifacts as professionals literally piece together information from them.
     In addition, they will have an opportunity to view a drawer full of artifacts from the Washington household--including a pewter teaspoon and cowry shells from the Pacific Ocean that slaves wore as adornment.
     Guests can also explore a "touch me" cart of Civil War artifacts that were recovered from the farm.
     "Families will be introduced to a new way of looking at history that truly brings the past to life," said Director of Archaeology Dave Muraca.
     Above all, that face-to-face encounter with Gen. Washington will be an experience sure to be long-remembered. Years of research and a lifelong heartfelt appreciation for our first president's character and qualities infuse an aura of authenticity in conversations with Ferry Farm's "George," Greg Fisher.
     "Washington had a strong moral character," said Fisher. "That's why he was admired so much.
     "He had a strict moral code, he was very fair and he could be bluntly honest. Everyone knew where he stood."
     Fisher knows his Washington, inside and out.
     "He was a leader who taught by example--a man who would persevere when he was assigned a task, and a leader who was not afraid to make a decision and to take responsibility for its consequences," he added.
     Fisher's accounts of Valley Forge convey the sacrifice and self-discipline of Washington and his troops at a time when it appeared that all would be lost.
     "Their perseverance and determination forged the character of this country," he said. "And as long as we maintain that same willingness to sacrifice and discipline ourselves, our nation will survive."

Collette Caprara is a local artist and freelance writer.
___________________________________________
Copyright 2010 The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company.

In the News

President's Day was a busy time for the General.  It is with great pleasure that I post an article regarding his time in the Senate Chamber, Annapolis for your reading pleasure.

YMOS,

Lt Col Tench Tilghman

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Bowie Blade News

George Washington makes appearance at special Senate session

By DAVID EMANUEL, Editor

Published 02/18/10

State Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters was selected by Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller to present a special address in the State House Monday evening, to all 47 members of the Senate delegation.

In the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, the oldest Senate room in the country, where George Washington once presided, Peters gave the traditional address on the birthday of the first president, following an invocation by the Rev. Joseph Calis of Ascension Catholic Church of Bowie, and a musical prelude by harpsichordist Donna Willingham. Sacred Heart Catholic Church's the Rev. Monsignor Charles J. Parry was also in attendance.

(Only one member of the press is traditionally invited to attend this annual event, and I cannot tell a lie: It was an honor to be the one asked and to witness the ceremony.)

Peters, who said he was honored to be chosen by Miller to lead the ceremony, touched upon how Washington was truly a man of many talents - military leader, national hero, farmer, businessman and visionary into America's future in commerce and industry.

"For George Washington, business had two distinct meanings: public and private," said Peters. "And through his leadership, he helped shape the course of the United States in the hands of the civilians."

Peters spoke of Washington's innovative business know-how, and the skills that today "we'd all like to improve on, such as how to be a good manager."

"He wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty," said Peters. "He was one of the most effective lobbyists ever to appear in the Senate. And he had a clean, clear moral compass. He was invested with large sums of money, but he never mishandled one public dollar, or pound, at that time. He knew the importance of leading from the front, and knew when to stay the course, and knew when to make change."

Peters wondered, what would Washington be, or what position would he hold today?

"I believe he would be a corporate CEO, or college president," said Peters. "Maybe even this towering figure of American history would thrive as a small business owner."

But then, the amazed group of 40-plus senators discovered they could ask the general himself.

Yes, George Washington made an appearance at the event, and fielded "questions" from the senators, after reading from some of his letters he wrote over the years.

Washington addressed everything from his supposed growing of marijuana (it was hemp, he explained, which was a very profitable crop for making cloth because it wasn't as expensive as cotton) to separation of church and state (it is something that has become misconstrued over the years, he said, even something as simple as an opening or closing prayer).

Washington was also asked what he thought of people such as Thomas Jefferson (one of the most intelligent men who ever lived) and why Baltimore wasn't selected as the state capital (it wasn't on the list of choices).

And a final question - what does he think of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq?

"War, any war, is a plague to mankind I wish to see banished from the face of the earth," he said. "No war is ever good, but there are times when war is necessary. When tyranny rules and people are deprived of their individual rights and liberties, where freedom does not flourish, there will always be a will to fight."

After the ceremony, George Washington, aka Gregory Fisher, who does George Washington re-enactments, said this was the most moving and memorable for him.

"It was surreal and emotional," he said. "To actually stand in the room where the general himself gave speeches, was incredible."

Peters, too, was very pleased with the event, as were his colleagues, calling it a "great surprise, well done, and not just one person presenting a speech."

A reception followed the event, with a simple, but perfectly fitting, dessert item being served - cherry pie.

And one more thought - did George cut down that cherry tree?

He said simply, with a smile, "No. I did not."

Copyright © 2010 The Bowie Blade-News and Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.