Archive for September, 2009

Washington's 16-sided Barn

Barns are just plain fascinating! I love the smell of the fresh hay, the sound of the animals, and the varying architecture of the structures. I have always thought I had a little cowgirl in me and as I donned my cowboy boots early this morning, I decided my Blog would follow suit—We would go just a little bit country and discuss barns—not just any old barns, but big round ones!

In the 1790s Washington tried to increase the production of wheat with a new sixteen-sided threshing barn. Threshing, or separating the wheat from the chaff, was customarily accomplished in two ways, by hand or by horse. In the hand-held method laborers would use a wooden instrument called a flail to strike the wheat on large wooden floors in rectangular barns. The force of the flail knocked loose the grain. The other method was known as treading. This involved laying the wheat outdoors in a large circle or oval and driving horses atop the wheat, their stamping hooves performing the same task as the flails. Washington, ever the innovative farmer, combined these two ideas and designed a two-story, 16-sided treading barn for Mount Vernon’s Dogue Run Farm. One of the objectives of the barn was to produce a cleaner and more marketable product by removing the treading of wheat from a dirt barnyard and away from wind and rain. A second goal was to keep the grain secure. Washington was concerned about theft so his plan called for barred windows on the lower level and he specifically ordered a lock on the lower door. (Fusonie, pg 20).

His round barn was built into an embankment, which allowed the horses to enter on the upper floor by way of an earthen ramp. The upper level floor had floorboards exactly spaced 1 1/2 inch apart to allow the grain, separated from the straw in the treading process, to fall through to the lower level. On the lower level the grain was shoveled into the center, cleaned and then shipped in barrels or bags to Washington’s gristmill. George Washington calculated that the foundation and first floor would require 30,820 bricks. The upper level was wood. Washington’s round barn, considered a milestone in American farm architecture, was so well-built that it would remain standing well into the 19th century. It was torn down about 1875 and was recreated at Mount Vernon., Visitors today can visit the 52 foot diameter barn and enter the second story where more than 4,000 linear feet of 2.5 inch-square oak treading floorboards have been nailed into place with 2,600 six-inch wrought iron spikes. Horses are still brought in to “tread” the wheat in the way the General envisioned (Fusonie, pg 21-22 & Mount Vernon’s web site).

Oklahoma also has a famous “round” barn located in Arcadia on Route 66. This circular edifice was built in 1898 for livestock and the occasional local dance. The 60′ diameter dome collapsed in 1988. It has been lovingly restored and now the round barn (like Washington’s, it was also two stories) is once again open for parties. The structure was created in a curved shape because it was “originally thought that the curved form would help it withstand Oklahoma’s tornadic conditions. Who knows if it is scientifically accurate, but the barn is still standing after 107 years! (The Arcadia Round Barn Website)”

I have been interrupted at least 100 times today while writing this Blog. It is now evening and I am ready to saddle up and head west into the sunset—to Tulsa for dinner! So I am goin’ to hobble my lip, cowboy up and high tail it to T- Town (You have to be an Okie to decipher that!)

Arcadia Barn in Oklahoma

George Washington Pioneer Farmer by Alan and Donna Jean Fusonie. Published by The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, 1998.

#2 Last weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time with Larry Earl, the Director of the Houston African-American Cultural Museum. Larry has been a presenter for the last decade at every Mount Vernon Summer Teacher Institute. I had the honor of attending one of his sessions in the summer of 2008 and Larry was so interesting that I knew I had to get him to come to Oklahoma. He made four presentations for the A+ Statewide Conference on September 12. Mr. Earl involved the audience in African folktales, songs of those who worked in the fields, and instrumental music of slaves. He informed the audience how much the American culture is inherently African—from the colorful outfits we wear, to the music we hear, and the words we say. Larry even explained that George Washington started the tradition of having African-American chefs for the Presidency. It all started with Hercules, one of the General’s “People” (that is the way Washington generally referred to his slaves). Hercules, like some other of the President’s slaves, had some “off-duty activities to help him earn more money. . .Hercules, working as the chef for Washington in Philadelphia, was able to make a good deal of money by selling slops from the kitchen. He was described at this period as wearing white linen, black silk breeches and waistcoat, highly-polished shoes with large buckles, a blue cloth coat with velvet collar and bright metal buttons, a watch fob and chain, cocked hat, and gold-headed cane, items much finer that the clothing issued to him. (Schwarz, pg. 91).” Washington learned from Attorney General Randolph that “Pennsylvania law allowed any slave who was resident for six months within the state to demand emancipation. The President then had Martha take the slaves back to Mount Vernon before the six month period expired. When Hercules got wind of the scheme, he expressed a sense of personal insult that his loyalty to Washington was not taken for granted. Eventually Hercules was allowed to stay in Philadelphia, where he remained Washington’s highly valued cook until the end of the second presidential term, at which point he absconded, much to Washington’s surprise and chagrin (Ellis, pg.203).” “Hercules escaped detection and remained a free man (Ellis, pg. 260).”

#3 A recent survey was conducted by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (a think tank based in Oklahoma City). The survey consisted of phone interviews with 1,000 students from our state. One of the questions asked was, “Who was the first President of the United States?” The survey results stated that three out of four Oklahoma students could not answer the question correctly. I respectfully disagree with these findings. During the 2008-2009 school year I traveled to almost SEVENTY public schools and presented to 9, 230 students in Oklahoma. I always asked the children questions about George Washington at the beginning of each program in order to gauge what they already knew. I can say unequivocally that 99% identified George Washington as the FIRST PRESIDENT of the United States BEFORE I gave my presentation. I guess I have yet to find the schools where the 1,000 surveyed attend.

Recently I traveled to two elementary schools in Tulsa to officially present their George Washington portraits. The first place I stopped was at Kendall-Whittier Elementary.  I was met by a beautiful smiling student named, “Bonnie.”  She introduced herself with a firm handshake and guided me through the maze of hallways.  The George Washington artwork was (Where else?) in the WEST Wing!  Dessa Weber’s 5^th grade classroom crowded in with co-teacher Vanessa Brown, Vice Principal Chloe Brown, and Paul Thomas, Director of Public Operations, for this picture for posterity.  After I returned home and downloaded the image, I noticed the word, “Peace” on the wall near Washington’s likeness.  How appropriate!  Many people think of Washington as a man of war (Revolutionary, that is) but I believe he was truly a man of peace.  As the French Revolution raged and England became involved, Thomas Jefferson and many Americans were thrilled when Citizen Genet, a French official, landed in Charleston and attempted to win Americans to the French Republic‘s side in their war with Britain.  Hamilton and those who desired to trade with our recently departed mother country wanted to join with Britain in attacking those Parisian patriots.  Washington, ever the wise statesman, knew that America needed a few generations of peace in order to establish our country’s stability.  The first president issued a Proclamation of Neutrality.  Even when his favorite Frenchman, Lafayette, was imprisoned by the Austrians, he refused to use his influence to help free this Revolutionary hero—a move that might look like he was taking sides.  Washington’s goals were a UNITED States and a healthy republic.  In order to achieve those objectives he knew that tranquility was the key.  Seeing the “Peace” sign next to Washington’s artwork at Kendall-Whittier reminded me of his conscientious effort toward that purpose. 

After leaving Kendall-Whittier, I traveled WEST across Tulsa to Mark Twain Elementary.  Beth Howard, one of the 2009 George Washington Summer Institute attendees, and the school’s Principal, Diane Hensley, met me in the front hallway by Washington’s artwork.  Beth is an outstanding art teacher and her students’ drawings of the visage of our first president surrounded the Peale Porthole Portrait.    After a quick snapshot, I went into Mark Twain’s gym to talk to five classes about Washington’s role in the first war in our WEST, the French and Indian War, and also the Revolution. 

I took one other photograph that day—back a Kendall-Whittier.  As I was visiting with Mrs. Weber’s students they noticed my George Washington KEDS.  One pupil, Damon Dodd, shyly shared his sneakers with me—a pair of Barack Obama tennis shoes! Another child quipped, “Look, it’s the first and present presidents!”  I could not resist taking a shot of this pair of famous footwear! 

At the end of the day I headed into the sunset…WEST, of course!