Ingles Ferry
Encyclopedia
Ingles Ferry is a historic farm in Radford
, Virginia, USA
. It is both a working, commercial farm as well as a historical preserve where living history interpreters depict life in the late 18th century.
Ingles Ferry was originally a farm and small plantation owned by William Ingles, husband of Mary Draper Ingles
. They settled there a few years after Mary's escape from Indian captivity. They raised three daughters and one son, John. Around 1762 William obtained a license to operate a ferry across the New River. The farm is a fully protected historical site.
A cabin was constructed based on archeological work done in the 1970s and a photograph from the late 19th century.
Period correct livestock were added to the farm in the form of American Milking Devon cattle and Hog Island Sheep
from Colonial Williamsburg
and Mount Vernon
respectively. These animals, though incredibly common and highly popular in the 18th century, have since fallen out of favor and are now all but extinct. Ingles Ferry is actively involved in the preservation of both of these heirloom breeds.
The farm and historical preserve remain in the hands of Mary Draper Ingles descendants. Although John Inlges' house is closed to the public as a private residence, the cabin and historical preserve are open to the public on select weekends throughout the spring and summer.
Radford, Virginia
Radford is a city in Virginia, United States. The population was 16,408 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County, including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, calling the combination the...
, Virginia, USA
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It is both a working, commercial farm as well as a historical preserve where living history interpreters depict life in the late 18th century.
Ingles Ferry was originally a farm and small plantation owned by William Ingles, husband of Mary Draper Ingles
Mary Draper Ingles
Mary Draper Ingles was an American pioneer and early settler of western Virginia. She was abducted by Indians and later escaped, making a harrowing trek over hundreds of miles of rough terrain to return home.-Biography:...
. They settled there a few years after Mary's escape from Indian captivity. They raised three daughters and one son, John. Around 1762 William obtained a license to operate a ferry across the New River. The farm is a fully protected historical site.
The Long Way Home
During the later half of the 20th century, an outdoor stage play entitled "The Long Way Home" was performed during the summer. It focused on Mary Draper Ingles' escape from Indian captivity. However, due to a variety of factors, the play was eventually shut down and the stage and scenery dismantled.Living History
In 2003, work was begun in order to restore the area to what it might have looked like in the late 18th century.A cabin was constructed based on archeological work done in the 1970s and a photograph from the late 19th century.
Period correct livestock were added to the farm in the form of American Milking Devon cattle and Hog Island Sheep
Hog Island sheep
Hog Island sheep are a breed of sheep that was developed from feral animals on Virginia's Hog Island beginning in the 17th century. During the 1930s and 1940s, storm conditions forced the island's residents to evacuate, leaving some sheep behind...
from Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
and Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
respectively. These animals, though incredibly common and highly popular in the 18th century, have since fallen out of favor and are now all but extinct. Ingles Ferry is actively involved in the preservation of both of these heirloom breeds.
The farm and historical preserve remain in the hands of Mary Draper Ingles descendants. Although John Inlges' house is closed to the public as a private residence, the cabin and historical preserve are open to the public on select weekends throughout the spring and summer.