Farm Workshop at the Birthplace

The Farm Workshop on a sunny day

NPS / Girimont

Quick Facts

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot

In 1930, as plans for the Memorial House Museum took shape, National Park Service Director Horace Albright recommended that the Wakefield National Memorial Association consult Kenneth Chorley—representative of John D. Rockefeller and builder of Colonial Williamsburg. Chorley responded by sending skilled brickmakers to the site. They constructed a kiln above a natural clay deposit just west of the Memorial House construction area. Using a horse-powered clay mixer and wooden molds, the crew produced enough bricks to complete the Memorial House Museum by the summer of 1931.

By September 1932, the kilns were dismantled to make way for a new utility building, which served as the park’s main maintenance facility for over four decades. In the leadup to America’s 1976 Bicentennial, the building was repurposed into a demonstration space for traditional trades.

During special events, the Farm Workshop showcases the sparks of blacksmithing, the rhythm of woodworking, and other traditional trades that reflect the rich cultural tapestry that shaped Colonial Virginia. More than just demonstrations, they represent essential skills and artistry once common in the 17th century, long before contemporary technology—endangered skills that connect the present to the past. Preserving these lifeways ensures that the ingenuity and resilience of Popes Creek’s early residents continue to inspire generations to come. 

• Farm Workshop

  
  

  Learn about the Farm Workshop located in the Memorial Area of George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

  Date created:

  08/15/2025

  Audio Transcript

  In 1930, as plans for the Memorial House Museum took shape, National Park Service Director Horace Albright recommended that the Wakefield National Memorial Association consult Kenneth Chorley—representative of John D. Rockefeller and builder of Colonial Williamsburg. Chorley responded by sending skilled brickmakers to the site. They constructed a kiln above a natural clay deposit just west of the Memorial House construction area. Using a horse-powered clay mixer and wooden molds, the crew produced enough bricks to complete the Memorial House Museum by the summer of 1931.

  By September 1932, the kilns were dismantled to make way for a new utility building, which served as the park’s main maintenance facility for over four decades. In the leadup to America’s 1976 Bicentennial, the building was repurposed into a demonstration space for traditional trades.

  During special events, the Farm Workshop showcases the sparks of blacksmithing, the rhythm of woodworking, and other traditional trades that reflect the rich cultural tapestry that shaped Colonial Virginia. More than just demonstrations, they represent essential skills and artistry once common in the 17th century, long before contemporary technology—endangered skills that connect the present to the past. Preserving these lifeways ensures that the ingenuity and resilience of Popes Creek’s early residents continue to inspire generations to come.