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 (WHM) is a vibrant nonprofit organization founded in 2012 to protect and share four remarkable 18th-century house museums in historic downtown Fredericksburg: the Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, and St. James’ House. The first three are open year-round for engaging guided tours led by costumed interpreters, and St. James’ House currently serves as the WHM headquarters. During select weeks each spring and fall, the home is open for guided tours.
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In 2023, WHM broadened its mission with the acquisition of the Mary Washington Monument and the Caretaker’s Lodge, a site now undergoing renovation and landscape redesign to enhance accessibility and strengthen its educational value.
Supported by a growing community of members across Virginia and beyond, WHM is dedicated to ensuring these cultural treasures remain relevant and accessible for future generations. The organization welcomes members to become active stewards of history, offering rewarding volunteer opportunities that inspire learning, safeguard the past, and ignite storytelling that connects generations.
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 play a vital role in supporting the board and staff as they carry out the organization’s mission. These are hands-on working groups made up of dedicated volunteers who help ensure the long-term physical and financial vitality of our historic sites. While time commitments vary, most committees meet at least every other month, offering meaningful ways to contribute to preservation efforts that benefit future generations.