While visiting Winchester, we strolled the downtown area and noticed a small museum with the name of George Washington’s Office Museum. The museum is located on 32 West Cork Street.
Being sort of antique artifact and history buff, it immediately caught my attention.
The large area around the museum is pleasantly landscaped with two vintage cannons on display.
Although Farmhouse Magic Blog was not allowed to photograph the inside of the museum, we were allowed to photograph items in the museum’s surrounding yard.
This is a vintage cannon.
A sign on the outside of the museum states that while constructing Fort Loudoun, George Washington used the center log building as an office from 1755 until Dec. 1756. Fort Loudoun was located at the north end of Winchester.
The Tour of Washington’s Office
Upon entering the museum we were immediately greeted by Dennis Crolley who sold tickets and also worked the small gift shop. We purchased a couple of tickets. The museum also has a senior and military discount of one dollar off the regular admission.
Mr. Crolley is very knowledgeable about this era in history and showed us different areas on a map and, also, talked about Lord Fairfax.
We were then introduced to Ryan B. Williams who gave us the rest of the tour.
Since George Washington started out his young life as a land surveyor, a collection of vintage surveying tools was on display. However, none of the survey items were used by George Washington. Yes, those are probably at the Smithsonian.
The last room contained some Indian arrowheads and artifacts. Also pointed out were blood stains on the wooden floor near the one window which are apparently from the Civil War. The building was used at one time as a small hospital during that time. However, Ryan wasn’t sure of the extract cause of the blood stains.
This vintage cannon was used by George Washington according the plaque on the stand.
Ending Notes
It was a nice tour and I learned a little bit more of George Washington. The museum is definitely worth viewing and I recommend touring it.
The garden near the museum also has some lovely redbud trees in bloom. Winchester is full of history and has several other museums located near by.
A Special Thank You to Dennis Crolley and Ryan B. Williams for the tour and for allowing me to photograph the surrounding museum yard.
I also noted on Ryan’s business card that he gives historical interpretations, reenactments, and is a lecturer for the late 18th century. (Interesting job!)