Near Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Root Cellar
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 19, 2023
1. Root Cellar Marker
Historic Kenmore and George Washingtons Ferry Farm website homepage
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Archaeologists uncovered evidence of a small building built over a 3 foot deep pit in the ground, dating from the Washington family era at Ferry Farm. Analysis of the artifacts found at the site, along with comparison to other 18th century structures, lead to the conclusion that this was a storage building for vegetables, fruits and other preserved foods, commonly called a root cellar. The pit in the ground under the building was used to keep perishable foods cool. The root cellar was a support building for the kitchen, which was a stand-alone structure also located somewhere in the work yard.
The final root cellar building will be comprised of log planks, notched at the corners, and "chinked" with clay daub between each plank. The pitched roof will be covered in clapboards. The building will have one door and no windows. The pit under the building will be accessed through a trap door in the floor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Anthropology & Archaeology • Notable Places.
Location. 38° 17.717′ N, 77° 26.974′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cellar House (here, next to this marker); Enslaved Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); The Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Boyhood Home Site (about 700 feet
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 19, 2023
2. Root Cellar Marker
The reconstructed root cellar at Ferry Farm has not yet been completed.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Washington Plantation (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Ferries (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); The Civil War at Ferry Farm (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. A diagram of the root cellar appears at the upper right of the marker.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 19, 2023
3. Root Cellar at Ferry Farm
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
