George Washington the Domestic

Gen. George Washington - we known and love him as our first president and original founding father himself. Most of our records paint Washington as a war hero, political leader, and time-traveler. What most don't realize is that George was also quite the renaissance man and just as comfortable performing domestic tasks as he was leading troops into battle.

The New York Public Library recently released the original recipe for George Washington's home-brewed beer.   Simple but effective, we have already started enjoying our first test-batch around the office, and in the spirit of sharing thought this a good opportunity to release a few other helpful house-hold tips and recipes collected from Washington's early journals. Some may be more applicable than others depending on current social trends at the time of posting:

George Washington's Recipe for Small-Batch Beer (makes roughly 1500 beers)

Take a large Sifter full of Bran Hops to your Taste. - Boil these 3 hours. Then strain out 30 Gallons into a Cooler, put in 3 Gallons Molasses while the Beer is scalding hot or rather drain the molasses into the Cooler & strain the Beer on it while boiling Hot. Let this stand till it is little more than Blood warm. Then put in a quart of Yeast if the weather is very cold, cover it over with a Blanket & let it work in the Cooler 24 hours. Then put it into the Cask - leave the Bung[hole] open till it is almost done working - Bottle it that day Week it was Brewed.

George Washington's Recipe for Powdered Wigs

The noble gentleman always Powders his own Wig. Take a medium sack of Starch and pound with a Mallet until it is fine power. Mix in three stalks of Lavender, 1 Orris Root, and 3 Petals of Orange Flower until incorporated. The flowers will Provide a most pleasant scent in the presence of those with the womanly affliction. When applying Powder, use a dousing motion and beat against a Tree to remove excess.


George Washington's Recipe for Chopping Trees

Sharpen a Straight-edge hatchet with a fine piece of Flint. Choose a Tree with a Bark that flakes easily, such as a Cherry Tree. Take hatchet at an angle and swing into the Bark with a downward Swing. Once the tree has been chopped sufficiently, leave the Area and tell not a soul. If Questioned, do not lie but be Prepared to have people tell the story for pretty much the rest of your Life.