MIDDLESEX––The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society will sponsor the visit of George Washington impersonator Andrew Packett to Rosegill Plantation on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. Packett will represent Washington in a dramatic piece entitled “George Washington, Your Humble Servant,” which focuses on periods of Washington’s life from the end of the French and Indian war (1763) to the beginning of the American Revolution.
Packett will draw on Washington’s own words from the 12-volume “Writing of George Washington: Being his Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers” (1834-1836) edited by Jared Spark and from Douglas Southall Freeman’s “George Washington, a Biography” (1948-57). ‘George Washington’ to visit Rosegill to celebrate 250th anniversary of U.S. founding Andrew Packett portrays George Washington, “Your Humble Servant.”
This visit to Rosegill may be a first for George Washington. There is no record in Washington’s papers of any visit to the plantation. Washington did, however, correspond with Ralph Wormeley (1715-1789) about matters of business as early as 1759. He convinced Wormeley to serve as security when he appeared before the court for appointment as the guardian to his wife Martha’s children by her first marriage in 1761, and he joined with him and others in 1768 to form the Mississippi Land Company in an unsuccessful attempt to convince the King and Royal Council to grant 2.5 million acres of land west of the Allegheny Mountains. He entertained Ralph Wormeley at Mount Vernon in June 1769 and in September 1771 did so for Mr. Wormeley’s son, who shared the same name. One could well argue that a return invitation to visit Rosegill is long overdue.
The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society is offering this opportunity to enjoy fellowship and history at Historic Rosegill’s barn, located at 1824 Urbanna Road, Saluda (near Urbanna). Appetizers, wine and beer will be available. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Sponsorship tickets are $100 and include the book, “Historic Buildings in Middlesex County, Virginia 1650- 1875” and a private showing of historic county photos later. The tickets will be available at the door, online at middlesexmuseum.com, at the museum located at 777 General Puller Highway, Saluda, by calling 758- 3663, or at Bristow’s Store in Urbanna.
Further details about Packett’s visit to Rosegill will be posted on middlesexmuseum.com.
