Area Museums
Aquia Episcopal Church
2938 Jefferson Davis Highway
Stafford, VA 22555
(540) 659-4007
http://www.aquiachurch.com/
The historic Aquia Episcopal Church is a well-preserved colonial church, including the original three-tiered pulpit and much of the original interior.
The church was built in 1757 and is still serving the Overwharton Parish. The Aquia Church Cemetery, located just behind the church, is thought by some to be haunted.
Chatham
120 Chatham Lane
Falmouth, VA 22405
(540) 654-5121
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/chatham.htm
The home served as a Union headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg, and Clara Barton and Walt Whitman joined in the treatment of hundreds of wounded soldiers. Owned and operated by the National Park Service, Chatham today contains exhibits about its colorful history.
Civil War Life Museum: The Soldiers’ Museum
4712 Southpoint Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 834-1859
http://www.civilwar-life.com
Located next to the Spotsylvania County Visitor Center in Massaponax Crossing, the Civil War Life Museum brings the Civil War era to life with extensive displays of original artifacts, including rare military and personal items, as well as life-size exhibits.
The Fredericksburg area was the scene of four major Civil War battles and the death of Stonewall Jackson. The Civil War Life Museum brings this turbulent period to life. Displays are designed for maximum viewing and include audio, video and computer-generated varieties. Most of the displays are "child friendly" and encourage learning through sight, sound and touch. Special programs for school groups who wish to enhance their learning experience are available. The museum captures everyone’s imagination, from children to serious Civil War buffs. A new museum, to be located in the Spotsylvania Court House, is currently in the planning process.
Ellwood
Rt. 20, just off State Route 3
Locust Grove, VA 22508
(540) 786-2880
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/ellwood.htm
Ellwood, also known as the “Lacy House” in recognition of its wartime occupants, was constructed in 1799 and was used as Union headquarters during the Civil War. Its cemetery includes the grave of "Stonewall" Jackson's amputated arm.
Ellwood, a once prosperous, antebellum farm, is located on a small hill near Wilderness Run. The home became a hospital and major Union headquarters during the Battle of the Wilderness, and here lies the amputated arm of General “Stonewall” Jackson. The surrounding estate covers more than 640 acres and contains an array of stables, barns, slave cabins, and a kitchen. The National Park Service purchased the house and grounds in 1977, making them part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The house and the grounds, in the process of restoration, will be restored to what they looked like more than 200 years ago.
Ferry Farm
268 Kings Hwy. (Rt. 3 East of Fredericksburg at Ferry Farm Rd.)
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
(540) 370-0732
http://www.ferryfarm.org
Ferry Farm is a place of legend and of rich and diverse history. Here the boy George Washington grew to manhood (from 1738-1752, ages 6-19) and here is the setting of the stories of the cherry tree and the silver dollar (really a stone) thrown across the Rappahannock River.
In addition to being George Washington's boyhood home, here too was an important part of the Union lines during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Ongoing archaeological digs have already revealed evidence of early Native American habitation. The work continues in the search for the original farm buildings and houses of Washington's youth.
Fielding Lewis Store
Corner of Caroline and Lewis Streets
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 371-4504
ww.hffi.org/fieldinglewisstore.html
Constructed in 1749 by John Lewis, the store is known to be one of the oldest surviving urban stores in America. Lewis left the store to his son, Colonel Fielding Lewis, whom continued to operate it until his death in 1781. George Washington shopped there, as did many other distinguished Fredericksburg residents. The Lewis Store exists today as a rare architectural reminder of the mercantile revolution in the late eighteenth-century America.
Fielding Lewis’ Store is located on the corner of Caroline and Lewis Street. It is one of the oldest buildings in Fredericksburg, as well as in America. This building is currently in the final stages of restoration by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation. Once the restoration is complete, plans are to open the store and sell reproductions of eighteenth-century goods.
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, VA
Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center: (540) 373-6122
Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center: (540) 786-2880
Four battlefields in the Fredericksburg area comprise the world's largest military monument: the 9,000-acre Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
The Park Service maintains two visitor centers to interpret the Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and the Spotsylvania Court House battlefields. The battlefield parks, wayside exhibits, exhibit shelters, interpretive trails and many historic buildings help tell the story of the Civil War in the Fredericksburg area. A tour through these battlefields is an experience in one of the most dramatic times in American history, a tour of lands carefully preserved to commemorate the sacrifices of the Civil War.
Fredericksburg Battlefield
1013 Lafayette Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/fburg.htm
The Battle of Fredericksburg (at Marye's Heights and Sunken Road) was fought December 11-15, 1862 and involved principal commanders Major General Ambrose Burnside (Union) and General Robert E. Lee (Confederacy). Resulting in Confederate victory, the battle engaged nearly 173,000 men and took nearly 18,000 casualties.
Chancellorsville Battlefield
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/cville.htm
Considered by many historians to be Lee's greatest victory, the Battle of Chancellorsville was fought from April 27 until May 6, 1863. About 155,000 men fought in the battle, and about 24,000 were killed. Among these was Major General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, whom was fatally wounded by his own men by mistake. Lee and Jackson had waged this battle against Union Major General Joseph Hooker.
Wilderness Battlefield
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/wild.htm
Resulting in a stalemate, the Battle of the Wilderness was fought on May 5-6, 1864 with Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General George G. Meade (Union), and General Robert E. Lee (CS) in command. Also known as the Combat at Parker's Store or Craig's Meeting House, the battle was part of Grant's Overland Campaign. There were 30,000 casualties during the two-day battle.
Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/spotsy.htm
The Spotsylvania Court House Battle, fought on May 8-21, 1864, was also a part of General Grant's Overland Campaign. He again strategized with Major General Meade against Robert E. Lee; though the battle was inconclusive in regard to the triumphant party, Grant continued his offensive campaign at its finish. Casualties numbered nearly 30,000 soldiers.
Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center
907 Princess Anne St
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 371-3037
http://www.fredericksburgareamuseum.com
Here you will be treated to a glimpse of Fredericksburg's rich heritage. Early Indian cultures. The excitement of the American Revolution. The horror and devastation of the Civil War. The rapid change of the 20th century.
Fredericksburg City and Confederate Cemetery
Corner of William Street and Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-6122
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/rebcem.htm
The Fredericksburg City Cemetery and Confederate Cemetery are located within a common brick wall. In 1867, the Ladies Memorial Association, purchased the land adjoining the Fredericksburg City Cemetery and re-interred Confederate soldiers at this new location, which became the Confederate Cemetery. A life-size statue of a soldier was dedicated in 1884 to the "Confederate Dead." The Ladies Memorial Association continues to care for the cemetery and each year they hold a Memorial Day observance.
Fredericksburg Court House
815 Princess Anne Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540)372-1066
http://www.historiccourtrecords.org/fch.stm
Constructed in 1852, this Victorian Gothic Revival style building was designed by James Renwick, the architect of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York and the original Smithsonian Institute building in Washington, D.C.
The original court house which sat on the same location was a brick Colonial building which was built in 1740 and destroyed in 1851 to make room for the new court house. In Colonial times, the town gallows, pillory and stocks, and the ducking stool were located beside the court house. Inside the present building, visitors will find Mary Ball Washington's will and appointment of her husband, Augustine (trustee of Fredericksburg), on display. This court house was also the site of the 1784 address that George Washington gave to the Fredericksburg City Council.
Gari Melchers Home & Studio (Belmont)
224 Washington Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
(540) 654-1015
http://www.garimelchers.org
The richly furnished country house and working studio of American impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) can be seen as they appeared in the 1920s. Explore the colorful formal gardens and wooded hiking trails of the artist's 27-acre retreat. Enjoy special exhibitions of the art of Melchers and his contemporaries.
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
1020 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
1-800-678-4748 or 540-373-1776
http://preservationvirginia.org/hughmercerapothecary/
Experience 18th-century medicine in this "drug store" of yore. This 18th-century building restored as the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop presents a vivid living history interpretation of Colonial medical practices. Visitors can hear about the popular treatment of the day for a lady's hysteria or a medicine so potent that it would, according to one wealthy plantation owner, "cheer a man with a bad wife."
James Monroe Museum
908 Charles St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 654-1043
http://www.umw.edu/jamesmonroemuseum/
See where James Monroe began his illustrious career. Our nation's fifth President, James Monroe, began his illustrious career practicing law in Fredericksburg. Today, the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library contains a remarkable collection of the personal possessions, furnishings, and papers of Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth. Many of the pieces were purchased while Monroe served as emissary to France and were later used in the Monroe White House.
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
1201 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-3381
http://www.kenmore.org/
Kenmore, one of the most elegant Colonial mansions in America, lies in the heart of historic Fredericksburg.
Built by Fielding Lewis for his wife, Betty, the sister of George Washington, the mansion contains three of the most elaborately decorated rooms of the period including one of the "100 Most Beautiful Rooms in America."
Mary Washington House
1200 Charles Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
1-800-678-4748 or 540-373-1776
http://preservationvirginia.org/marywashingtonhouse/
George Washington bought this home for his mother in 1772 and she lived here near her daughter, Betty, at Kenmore the last 17 years of her life. Among the period furnishings are some of Mary's personal possessions including her "best dressing glass," which she willed to her son, George.
Rising Sun Tavern
1304 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22402
1-800-678-4748 or 540-373-1776
http://preservationvirginia.org/risingsuntavern/
An entertaining living history intrepretation of colonial tavern life. Built by Charles Washington in 1760 as his home, this building was later operated as a tavern, the only "proper" tavern in the bustling port city of Fredericksburg. The "tavern wenches" at the Rising Sun today entertain visitors as though they have just stepped off a stagecoach in a lively interpretation of 18th century tavern life.
St. James House
1300 Caroline St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
1-800-678-4748
http://preservationvirginia.org/stjameshouse/
An 18th century gentleman's cottage. Built on land once owned by George Washington, the gambrel-roof house contains a fine collection of 18th century porcelains, glass, furniture and artwork. This small Revolutionary-era house is open by appointment only.
