I’m back in the 18th-century right now working away on a historical novel set in Virginia just after the Revolutionary War. I feel inspired! While researching I came across this fun, informative video on giving George a bath. A couple of years I was able to see this exhibit and fell in love with George all over again – all 6 feet 2 and every red hair (yes, he was a redhead, a delightful detail)!
I wanted to share this historical clip about one of my favorite heroes…and maybe yours, too!
Just click on the link below to get a little hands on history…
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Eek! I was NOT ready for that opening shot. What an intersting piece. And how cool that we know that IS the color of his hair. Yup, George is totally crush-worthy.
Sarah, I am joining you with a hearty YES as far as George. Even headless he is quite the catch ;). But I like your wording way better – “crush-worthy” he is! If I could do over again, I think I would be a museum curator just to wash George’s head, lol. But a writer isn’t too bad. SO EXCITED for your debut!!
Umm.
Red Shirt needs to take a bath.
WHAT? You knew that was coming!!!
It amazes me that the artists are so talented and can make a lump of wax look so real!!
And umm, redheads are rather delightful. 😉
Yes, redheads are rather delightful! I’ve heard our George had a terrible temper which he kept in check but occasionally erupted. But other than that I don’t think he had many flaws. Like Daniel Boone, the more I learn about the man through research, the more I admire him. I look forward to meeting him in heaven :).
Poor Red Shirt. I’ve actually had several readers tell me that RS has been bumped by JACK! Oh my…!
What? HELLO?
Well, Jack does have a rather special je ne sais quoi about him, doesn’t he?
And he’s, like, hawt.
So glad you think so ;)! I’m rather partial to him myself though I do love all my heroes. Guess we authors shouldn’t play favorites, huh?
Fascinating, Laura!
A few years ago, I worked part-time at a biblical museum of wax figures portraying the life of Christ. A friend of mine, who was an artist & worked there, painting scenes of Christ – was also in charge of the wax figures. He bought them from other wax museums, resculpted the faces (to an extent), & dressed them in biblical clothing. He also took care of the maintenance of the figures re: washing their hair & clothing, repairing & providing new clothing – when needed, general cleaning etc.. It was interesting to hear him explain the process.
Bonnie, That’s fascinating! I think Biblical figures would be the ultimate experience as there is a ministry in that and the Lord is so creative in the ways He reaches people. I imagine your friend loved/loves his work. Until I watched George getting cleaned up here I never realized the care that went in to taking care of these figures and the bathing, cleaning, repairing required to keep them in good condition. It truly is art! When I saw this display I was the only one in this particular room with the young George shown in this picture surveying. Since he was life size I was stunned at how BIG he was, how handsome, and I really believed his eyes moved! I had a hard time leaving the exhibit as he looked so real. I wanted to touch him but of course that was taboo! If he was this way waxed I could only imagine how commanding/memorable he was in person!
Thanks so much for enjoying the video with me. It’s far more fun with you here :).
I agree, Laura, that George is much more attractive as a young man – I, too, had only seen pictures of him with white hair.
I have an interest in several of the comments made here, as I live just south of Louisville city limits, & have visited Locust Grove numerous times. I also lived in Sevier County, Tn. for 11 years.
Bonnie, So neat that you are in KY! You might have mentioned that before but it slipped my mind. Carissa here lives in the same area! I am so blessed by my KY readers. I miss Berea and home so much. I heard you’ve been having some beautiful fall weather lately. Nothing like a Kentucky fall. And Locust Grove is one of my favorite places whatever season.
yes, George was quite handsome and it’s a bit of a shock seeing how much he aged. I’m reading a biography of him right now (and another of Martha) which is full of his journal entries and letters to his farm manager at Mount Vernon. I never realized the toll the war took on him (8 1/2 years there) and then another 8 years in office, a position he did not want and accepted very reluctantly. I think those combined to age him terribly though I do believe he fulfilled his destiny, so to speak, and was extraordinarily called and used by God. I am sad he died early and left no heirs. His love affair with Martha is very touching.
I did not know that George Washington was a redhead till this post and video. However I did know that George Rogers Clark was. From seeing his picture haning up at Locust Grove on countless school field trips there. I think between Kindergarden and fifth grade my classes took at least six fieldtrips to Locust Grove at least one a year.
Carissa, You may know this but I fell in love with GRC’s youthful picture as a young man in the visitor center there and The Colonel’s Lady was born :). Locust Grove is a place I’d love to visit over and over again like you did – or just plain live there! I hope the school system is still investing in that kind of hands on history for students.
I, too, was surprised to learn that George Washington was a redhead (or “auburn” as they described it). I tend to always think of him as white-haired because of bills and those old paintings that depict him quite aged. I do like the young George much better!
I loved this! One of these days I’m going to make it over to Mt. Vernon.
Change of subject. I heard this account of the rescue of Catherine Sherill by Captain John Sevier in 1766. He was later to become the governor of TN. It made me think of your books!
http://posterityproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/hero-of-watauga-john-seviers-dramatic.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sevier
Sylvia, Oh my, I can barely answer this and want to follow that link! I’m working on an idea for another Kentucky book in 1790 so this is just the historical stuff to fuel me on :). You’re such a gem for thinking of me and my books and taking time to tell me about this bit of history. There’s something about Catherine Sherill’s name I just love. Sounds positively novel-worthy! Off to read. Thanks again!
Laura, here is another page that gives more information on Catherine Sherill Sevier. Most of the information starts about the 8th paragraph.
http://bonnykate.com/bonny-kate-historical-source_280.html
Sylvia, You are amazing! How on earth do you come across this stuff? I AM GLUED! I even love the footnotes! Really, you have come on a mission as this is just what I need to flesh out that proposal I’m working on. I’ve been fashioning a mountain woman like Catherine (fearless, resourceful) and she is the perfect template. I think I may even use the original French family name (Valentine Zavier) in some way as it’s so unique and memorable. I have heard little bits of this history being from KY/VA and familiar with the Yadkin Valley settlers, etc. But this is just history at its finest. I can’t thank you enough. Like I said, you were divinely inspired :). You’ll find yourself thanked in the acknowledgements of this book – if you can wait a few years beyond 2015. Again, many thanks to you!
Glad I could help! I first heard about it from a man who attends my church. If I understood him correctly his late wife’s ancestors are either some of the Sherill family or descendants of John and Catherine Sevier. I’m not certain which family it is. Anyway, the story of “Bonny Kate” getting rescued by the captain intrigued me so much that I went researching it on the internet! Here’s my favorite line of the article.:)
“I could gladly undergo that peril and effort again to fall into his arms, and feel so out of danger.It was all of God’s good providence.”
YES! THAT was my favorite line, too, along with her nickname of “Bonny Kate.” I was thinking last night of how I could come up with another “Bonny ____” name. Your church friend is really blessed to have that sort of family history! I have some Lyman Draper books here (he was considered the consummate historian of all things frontier) and need to look that end on my end, too, though I doubt it will be as interesting or entertaining as what you’re shared. Love the fort scenario and the fact she really did fall into his arms. That’s right out of a movie. I’ve been re-watching clips of The Last of the Mohicans lately. Must be time for another novel like that…
Happy Friday to you! 🙂
Oh, forgot to tell you that Love’s Awakening has been shipped. Yay! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh, SO happy to see you here again, Sylvia, and hear you’re ready to read :)!!! I hope Jack and Ellie win you over right away. By now you know my books are not the norm so you can expect a few surprises! I love to think of you reading my work. Thank you!!