About Washington Heritage Museums
Our mission is to preserve our historic properties in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and to interpret them through inclusive narratives that inspire an engaging and enduring understanding of the Washington family.
Vision Statement: Washington Heritage Museums strives to connect broad and diverse audiences with the ever-evolving history of its historic properties and build a community supportive of their preservation.
Washington Heritage Museums is a 501(c)3 membership organization established in 2012 to assume ownership and management of four 18th-century house museums in downtown Fredericksburg: Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, and St. James' House. The first three museums are open year-round, offering guided tours for individuals and groups, conducted by historic interpreters. St. James’ House serves as the organization’s headquarters and business office and opens its doors for tours on selected weeks in the spring and fall. In January 2023, WHM acquired the Mary Washington Monument and Caretaker's Lodge from the City of Fredericksburg by deed of gift.
An active organization of several hundred members located throughout Virginia and across the nation, Washington Heritage Museums is dedicated to growing the support that will ensure the relevance of these legacies for generations to come. WHM offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and welcomes all members as partners to share these important sites with the public. We are vigorously committed to a new era of health and relevance for these architectural and cultural treasures that possess local and national significance.
Board of Directors
Chair
Chuck Fennell
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Chair Elect
Michael O’Malley
Treasurer
Will Kinnamon
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Secretary
Amy McCullough
Members-at-Large
Jan Bieneck
Jeanette Cadwallender
Pamela Diggs
Lindsay Gould
Andrea Hickman Meleski
Ryan Schradin
Cristina Turdean
Jim Wachter
Edwin Watson
Alda White
Alma Withers
WHM Committees
WHM committees assist the board and staff in achieving the organization’s mission. Our committees are working committees with volunteers that are dedicated to the physical and financial health of our sites for future generations. The time commitment varies by committee, but most committees meet at least bi-monthly.
Staff
Support the Museums While Enjoying our Annual Bourbon and Boxwood Event
Bourbon and Boxwood – 10th Anniversary
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Sponsor this annual, sell-out event: a spirited garden party with live music, plentiful food, drinks, tastings, silent auction, fantastic guests, and an outstanding way to financially support all five historic properties and their educational programs. This is an outstanding way for both businesses and individuals to support our museums!​
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​Sponsorships currently available, individual tickets available to the public on August 1, 2025.