Even after years of working at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, Sandy Newton still gets a kick out of creating corn husk dolls.
It’s not that Newton, who is board secretary for Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and also volunteers during their events, finds creating the dolls challenging. After all, she’s been training volunteers and teaching visitors how to make them for years. What Newton enjoys is watching the children and the parents who attend the Fall Harvest Family Days make those figurines.
“It gets people to think about how George Washington grew so much on his plantation and estate,” said Newton. “It gets people to think about the outside of corn … and as they make the dolls they can look out at the farm and see the corn [growing]. It makes an impact.”
In these days of fast food, TiVo and high-speed computers, families take great delight in visiting the first president’s home during Fall Harvest Family Days, one of the most-loved annual events at the estate. Now in its 11th year, Fall Harvest Family Days has grown to include many activities such as horse-drawn wagon rides, a straw bale maze and early-American games, dance demonstrations and music. Visitors also can watch candle-making demonstrations, try their hand at a bit of 18th-century cooking, or observe as water from Dogue Creek goes through the gristmill, setting the gears into motion and producing cornmeal.
“It has really evolved since it first started,” Mount Vernon spokeswoman Melissa Wood said of the festival. “We’re trying to show people the life of George Washington the farmer; the agricultural side.”
K. Ken Johnston, who dons 18th-century attire and sets off on horseback to serve as George Washington’s farm manager during this event, said that the idea of a working farm is something of an anomaly to many visitors.
“Certainly we have visitors who perhaps have had more rural experiences, but for the majority of people this is a novelty to see someone on horseback actually working,” said Johnston, Mount Vernon’s managing director of First Person Interpretation. “Not to knock Disney … but people’s popular imagination is nice animals talking and getting along.”
There’s none of that fantasy at Fall Harvest Family Days, where horses and other animals are showcased in working and other natural roles, such as grazing in pastures. Even hearing animals, such as sheep, is a treat for kids, he said.
“Actors and historians are the same thing,” said Johnston. “They are both storytellers … and what a great stage [Mount Vernon sets] to tell a story on and in real time. They see us really chop wood, really cook over an open fire, and they meet a real farm manager. That’s all pretty special for the guests whether they are kids or adults.”
Bonnie Cassidy, who lives in Richmond, has volunteered at Mount Vernon and frequently brings her now 2 1/2-year-old son Richie to events including Fall Harvest Family Days.
“When I was a kid, I loved doing simpler things, but these days kids don’t have that chance,” she said. “He loves the old-fashioned food [such as apples with sweet toppings], the people in costume, the animals. He just runs [from event to event] and we follow.”
Such variety is what Vanessa Caceres, of Woodbridge, seeks when she takes her soon-to-be-5-year-old son Carlo to events. After driving to an event and paying admission, Caceres wants to ensure that there is plenty for him to do.
“What I like about Mount Vernon is that it is unique; it isn’t typical to go through the corn maze and pick a pumpkin,” said Caceres. “There were a lot of things to do, a lot of demonstrations and activities he enjoyed.”
There are also plenty of activities for adults. Although people often think of children as the main corn husk doll fans, there are plenty of adults who arrive sans kids to the doll-making area.
“Usually, at the end of the day, someone comes down [to the exhibit] and says they wanted to do it but couldn’t for some reason,” Newton said. “We keep extra husks [and string] just for that reason.”
Gail Cassidy, manager of interpretations and head of the Foodways program at Mount Vernon, said the staff puts plenty of tender loving care into planning such festivities.
“It’s fun. You don’t even think of it as work,” said Cassidy. “We have everything from storytelling to cooking demonstrations to a candle maker. We want to give them a little taste of what life was like in the 18th century. We love to see their little faces light up when we bring history right to them as directly as possible.”
Carol Rivera, of Vienna, said that fall is definitely festival season for her family. Her son Benjamin, who will soon be 3, not only has fun but also learns at the events. “Just being able to run from one attraction to another” is a great experience for him, she said. “Around every bend he finds new surprises.”
