Ingles Ferry facts for kids
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Ingles Ferry
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Ingles Ferry Tavern
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Radford, Virginia, USA |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1772 |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000275 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1969 |
Ingles Ferry is a historic tavern near the city of Radford in Pulaski County, Virginia, Virginia, United States.
William and Mary Ingles began developing a farm on the eastern side of the New River a few years after Mary's capture by Shawnee Indians and subsequent escape in 1755. Around 1762, William obtained a license to operate a ferry at the site of the current tavern.
There were a number of instances when Indians attacked the farm and ferry.
Thomas Ingles, grandson of William and Mary Draper Ingles, built a bridge across the New River at Ingles Ferry in 1840. Although the first bridge across the river, it was destroyed during the Civil War.
The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
The Long Way Home
From 1971 to 1999, an outdoor stage play entitled The Long Way Home was performed at the historic site each summer. It focused on Mary Draper Ingles' escape from Shawnee captivity. However, because of 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. The Ingles log cabin was reconstructed on the basis of archeological work done in the 1970s and a photograph from the late 19th century.
Period livestock were added to the farm, including American Milking Devon cattle and Hog Island Sheep from Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon, respectively. These breeds, although common and highly popular in the 18th century, have since fallen out of favor and are now nearly extinct. Ingles Ferry is involved in the preservation of both of these heirloom breeds.
The farm and historical preserve are owned by descendants of Mary Draper Ingles. John Ingles' house is private. The reconstructed cabin and historical preserve are open to the public on select weekends throughout the spring and summer.
The reconstructed home is located on the east side of the New River at 37°6'13"N, 80°35'1"W (37.10356,-80.58360). The tavern is across the river at 37°6'5"N, 80°35'29"W (37.10125,-80.59135).
Gallery
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Photo of the original cabin, c.1890
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The reconstructed cabin, 2010
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A post card of the ferry c.1908
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American Milking Devon cattle
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Hog Island Sheep
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Spinning flax fibres inside the cabin
