Featured Event
Bourbon and Boxwood – 10th Anniversary
October 4, 2025 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. | Mary Washington House
Attend 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.​
A handful of sponsorships and tickets remain, secure yours today!
Upcoming Events
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Free Teacher Tours
October, November, and December 2025
Take part in a special opportunity to explore the Washington Heritage Museums with Free Admission for Teachers, available during October, November, and December 2025. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the 18th century—an engaging way to bring the past to life for your students as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence.
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This offer is open to all elementary through high school teachers in Planning District 16, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Participating museums include the Mary Washington House, Rising Sun Tavern, and Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop.
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No date restrictions apply. A valid educator ID is required.
Mary's Ribbons - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 1 – 31, 2025
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mary Washington House
This October, we invite you to remember and honor the brave individuals who have faced breast cancer—and those who continue the fight today. This cause holds special meaning at the Mary Washington House. It was here, in 1789, that Mary Ball Washington passed away after a long and painful battle with breast cancer. Her courageous struggle with the illness continues to inspire generations. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, guests are encouraged to tie a pink ribbon to the fence in front of the historic Mary Washington House. This simple, heartfelt gesture raises awareness and offers a space for personal remembrance. Stop inside to receive a ribbon, or reserve one online and we’ll tie it for you. Participation is free and open to the public. Let’s come together in support, remembrance, and hope—honoring Mary Washington and all those who have faced this disease with courage.
WHM Speaker Series:
Living Legacies: African American History in the Fredericksburg Area
October 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
​Central Rappahannock Regional Library Theater
Speaker: Dr. Gaila Sims, Inaugural Curator of African American History at the Fredericksburg Area Museum
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St. James’ House Fall Opening
Monday, October 6 to Saturday, October 11, 2025
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Daily
Tour the beautiful home and garden of one of Fredericksburg's early attorneys, James Mercer. The house is particularly noted for its fine collection of antique furniture and decorative arts acquired by Daniel Breslin and William Tolerton. Together, they restored St. James’ in the mid-1960s and eventually bequeathed it to Preservation Virginia. St. James’ House now serves as the headquarters for Washington Heritage Museums.
Tea Talk – Murder at the National Cathedral
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Mary Washington House
Uncover the grim past of the 20th century in Washington, D.C., as author Zachary G. Ford joins us for our October Tea Talk. From a love triangle gone wrong to a potential serial killer and the racially charged case of Catherine Reardon’s murder in the National Cathedral library, Murder at the National Cathedral and Other Historic D.C. Crimes covers the classic age of true crime reporting. The book features seven true D.C. tales of murder from the 1930s to the 1950s, painting a comprehensive picture of a bygone era marked by intrigue, scandal, and violence. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with the author and explore the stories that shaped the city’s past.
Zachary G. Ford is a high school English teacher in Fairfax, Virginia, and an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
To obtain an advanced copy of the book, Murder at the National Cathedral and Other Historic D.C. Crimes, visit the Mary Washington House Museum Store during regular museum hour.
Eulogizing a Nation: The Washingtons and 18th-Century Mourning Culture
Saturday, October 18, 2025
5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Mary Washington House
Join us at the Mary Washington House for a compelling evening exploring 18th-century mourning customs and the final hours of George Washington’s life. Kevin Anderson and Michelle Hamilton will share insights into the deaths of George and Mary Ball Washington, offering historical context and personal stories from the very home where Mary spent her last years.
Fredericksburg at the Dawn of the Revolution: A Look at the Town’s 18th-Century Built Environment
Thursday, October 30, 2025
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library Fredericksburg Branch | FREE
Join us for an informative look at the Washington Heritage Museums’ sites, featuring the Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary, and the Rising Sun Tavern, and other significant 18th-century structures in Fredericksburg. This lively conversation features Associate Professor Michael Spencer from the University of Mary Washington’s Historic Preservation Department and Danae Peckler, Preservationist & Architectural Historian with the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.
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WHM Speaker Series:
Collecting, Preserving & Sharing Stories: Rappahannock Heritage Center
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
​Central Rappahannock Regional Library Theater
Speakers: Florence Barnick, Chair; and Roy McAfee, Vice-Chair of the Heritage Center.
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Tea Talk – Tales of a Tavern Keeper
November 11, 2025
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
Rising Sun Tavern
Step into the 18th century at the Rising Sun Tavern Museum on Tuesday, November 11th, for a captivating Tea Talk with historical reenactor Lee Ann Rose. With decades of theatrical experience, Rose brings iconic American women to life in a spirited portrayal of a colonial tavern keeper.
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WHM Speaker Series & Annual Meeting
Revitalizing History: A Comprehensive Plan for the Mary Washington Monument Landscape
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
​Central Rappahannock Regional Library Theater
Speaker: Sally Harman, Principal of Field Design
The speaker's presentation will follow the brief WHM Annual Meeting.
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Holiday Open House at the Rising Sun Tavern
Friday, December 5, 2025
5 - 8 p.m.
Rising Sun Tavern | FREE
As a heartfelt thank-you to our supportive community, we invite you to enjoy a free evening tour of the Rising Sun Tavern Museum. Step into the charm of the 18th century as the tavern is beautifully decorated for the holidays, just as it would have been centuries ago.
Experience the magic of live period music, savor seasonal refreshments, and browse unique holiday gifts perfect for the history lover in your life. We look forward to sharing the spirit of the season—and a little bit of history—with you.
Holiday Open House at the Mary Washington House
Sunday, December 7, 2025
12 noon – 5 p.m.
Mary Washington House | FREE
Step into the magic of an 18th-century Christmas at the Mary Washington House! Experience the holiday season as it was centuries ago—craft your own orange pomander, a cherished tradition of the era, and meet members of the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society as they bring history to life with demonstrations of colonial crafts.
Enjoy the enchanting sounds of Veronica Allison’s harpsichord performance, filling the house with the melodies of the past. Then, warm up with hot cider and Mary Washington’s famous gingerbread while browsing the museum store’s exclusive holiday sale with extended hours—a perfect opportunity to find unique gifts for loved ones.
This FREE festive event is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with friends and family. Do not miss this chance to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of an 18th-century Christmas!