The Archaeology And Forgeries Department: A Novel Interdepartmental Approach For Obtaining Historically Accurate Reproductions At George Washington’s Boyhood Home
Author(s): Mara Kaktins; Elyse Adams; Judith Jobrack; Meghan Budinger
Year: 2020
Summary
This is a paper/report submission presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.
The newly reconstructed Washington Family Home at Ferry Farm is unique in that visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in eighteenth century life by sitting on the chairs, lying on the beds, going through the drawers of desks, and handling the tea and tablewares. Additionally, the entire structure and everything in it is informed by Washington’s historical and archaeological record. This model comes with the knowledge that tables will be dinged, linens will be dirtied, and dishes will be broken. As such, how does a museum on a budget inexpensively acquire accurate ceramic and glass items that resemble those the Washington family used but are also essentially expendable? The answer for our organization has been a multidisciplinary approach melding a detailed analysis of artifacts and historical documents with thrift shop finds, power tools, acrylics, and industrial grade-solvents. Results have been as striking as they are historically accurate.
Cite this Record
The Archaeology And Forgeries Department: A Novel Interdepartmental Approach For Obtaining Historically Accurate Reproductions At George Washington’s Boyhood Home. Mara Kaktins, Elyse Adams, Judith Jobrack, Meghan Budinger. 2020 ( tDAR id: 457435)
This Resource is Part of the Following Collections
Keywords
General
Colonial
•
Virginia
•
Washington
Geographic Keywords
United States of America
Temporal Keywords
Colonial
Spatial Coverage
min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology
Record Identifiers
PaperId(s): 771