Fredericksburg Visitor Center Rising Sun Tavern
eorge Washington influ- Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Virginia enced not only Freder- icksburg’s history but The Washington Family also the new nation he Ghelped form. This 4 3/4 hour tour emphasizes the Washington family Tour and Fredericksburg’s colonial histo- ry. Visit as many as six sites with Stop 1 Fredericksburg Visitor Center — View Stop 3 strong Washington connections. the free orientation film, gather tour Rising Sun Tavern — Built by Charles material and meet your pre-arranged Washington as his home in 1760, the tour guide. Visit the Visitor Center building was later operated as a tavern courtyard and see display panels de- and served as the social center of town. scribing the archeological digs that have Although the tavern lost its liquor li- occurred in the Caroline Street area. cense in 1823, the tavern wench today Allow 30 minutes. can serve an enjoyable shot of living history. Allow 45 minutes.
Stop 2 Stop 4 Ferry Farm — Located on the banks of Mary Washington House — Purchased the Rappahannock River is the site of by Washington for his mother in 1772, George Washington’s boyhood home this home is a simple frame house where he, his sister Betty, and brothers where she spent her last 17 years. Her Samuel, John and Charles grew up. Ac- English-style garden has been restored cording to legend, young George and the house contains some of her chopped his father’s cherry tree here. prized personal possessions as well as At the age of 11, George inherited the many fine period pieces. Allow 45 plantation upon his father’s death, and minutes. his mother, Mary Ball Washington, lived Stop 5 here until 1772 when George bought a Kenmore — is the elegant plantation house in Fredericksburg for her. At Fer- home of George Washington’s sister, ry Farm today, archaeologists have un- Betty, and her patriot husband, Colonel earthed Indian artifacts dating back Fielding Lewis. The mansion is known th 10,000 years, early 18 -century home for its ornate plasterwork ceilings and sites and Civil War artifacts. There is the Aesop’s fable theme in the dining also a garden featuring plants that room overmantel is said to have been For Additional Information contact: would have been grown during the suggested by Washington himself. Al- Victoria Matthews Washington’s residence. A replica of low 60 minutes. 540-372-1216 * 800-260-3636 George Washington boyhood home is [email protected] also available for touring. Allow 60 VisitFred.com minutes. Mary Washington’s Garden Hugh Mercer Apothecary Garden The Washington Family Tour
Stop 6 medical practice in Fredericksburg, where Mercer’s patients Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop — George Washington be- included the Washington family, until he joined the Continental friended Mercer, an expatriate Scotsman, during the French and Army in 1776. He died heroically at the Battle of Princeton. Indian War. It was at Washington’s suggestion he began his Allow 45 minutes.