Upcoming Events
Mary’s Ribbons – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 1 to 31, 2026
Daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
This October, we invite you to remember and honor the brave individuals who have faced breast cancer – and those who continue the fight today. It was here, in 1789, that Mary Ball Washington passed away after a long and painful battle with breast cancer. Guests are encouraged to tie a pink ribbon in front of the historic Mary Washington House. This simple, heartfelt gesture raises awareness and offers space for personal remembrance.
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Homeschool History Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Discover colonial life at our first annual Homeschool History Day—your passport to the past! Washington Heritage Museums invites homeschool families with students ages 6 and up to enjoy immersive, educator-led tours at our three historic sites: Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Mary Washington House and Rising Sun Tavern.
In celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, students and educators may visit one, two, or all three museums for just $2.50 per person, per museum. Interpreters wearing period attire will engage with students as they explore different facets of colonial life, offering a glimpse into Revolutionary-era Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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SPEAKER SERIES: A Colonial Virginia Fashion Show
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10 to 11 a.m.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Presented by members of the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society. Discover what people in the Fredericksburg area wore in the 18th century, with period fashions for men and women. Free and open to the public.
FIRST FRIDAY - History After Hours:
A Revolutionary Evening
Friday, November 6, 2026
5 to 8 p.m.
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
Join author and historian Mark Maloy, dressed in a Continental Army soldier uniform, for an engaging look at the Battle of Princeton, where Brigadier General Hugh Mercer was mortally wounded and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Meet Mark, ask questions, and purchase a signed copy of "Victory or Death: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton." Stop by the Apothecary Shop anytime between 5 to 8 p.m. FREE and open to the public. Mark Maloy currently works for the National Park Service in Virginia. He is the author of three books on the Revolutionary War - "Victory or Death: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton," "To the Last Extremity: The Battles for Charleston" and most recently, "Conquer or Die: The 1776 New York Campaign." Mark holds an undergraduate degree in History from the College of William and Mary as well as a graduate degree in History from George Mason University. With a career spanning over two decades, he has dedicated himself to preserving and interpreting history, working at numerous public history sites and participating in archeological digs.
TEA TALK - Lost Recipes of the American Revolution
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Join us at the historic Rising Sun Tavern for our November Tea Talk with author and historian Elizabeth Winslow, inspired by her book, Lost Recipes of the American Revolution. Guests will sample several recipes from the book as Elizabeth brings the era to life through the stories of the soldiers, tavern keepers, women, enslaved cooks, and families whose experiences were reflected in the food of the period. Discover how tea culture shaped daily life before and during the Revolution, explore the social divide between Patriots and Loyalists, and hear real historical voices woven into an engaging blend of culinary history and storytelling.
HOLIDAY TEA
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
1 to 3 p.m.
Ironclad Inn
Welcome in the holidays with a very special afternoon tea on Tuesday, December 1, at the historic Ironclad Inn. Enjoy the Inn’s festive atmosphere, adorned with elegant holiday decorations, as you listen to seasonal music. Delight in an array of holiday treats—including savory bites, sweet confections, and fine teas—all served with plenty of holiday cheer! Then experience the spirited world of Revolutionary America with award-winning author and historian Brooke Barbier. Eighteenth-century Americans consumed a staggering amount of alcohol compared with people today, and they rarely kept it behind closed doors. Drink was woven into the fabric of colonial life—and when the colonists rebelled against the British Empire, taverns and their culture helped foster revolution. In a lively talk, Brooke will reveal how taverns and drinking culture shaped politics, strengthened relationships, fueled the economy, and helped ignite the American Revolution. The Ironclad Inn (circa 1793), the nation’s first Bed, Breakfast and Bourbon establishment—makes the perfect backdrop for this sell-out event!
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TAVERN TALK
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
6 to 8 p.m.
Rising Sun Tavern
Join historian and award-winning author Brooke Barbier on Tuesday, December 1st for an engaging evening that raises a glass to the people, politics, and drinking culture of the American Revolution. Discover what Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other notable figures liked to imbibe—and how drink shaped their relationships, political lives, and the Revolution itself. Along the way, find out which revolutionary might have been your ideal drinking companion: Abigail Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, or another storied American. Designed as an intimate experience for 24 guests, the program continues through each of the tavern’s rooms with historic cocktail samples, food pairings (light faire), and brief stories about each drink’s historical significance.
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SPEAKER SERIES: The Past, Present and Future
Thursday, December 3, 2026
10 to 11 a.m.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Learn how Washington Heritage Museums has evolved, what it offers today, and its plans for the future. Gail Braxton, Anne Darron, and Michael O’Malley will share insights into the organization’s history, programs, and vision for preserving and interpreting local heritage. Includes the WHM Annual Meeting. Free and open to the public.
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Holiday Open House at the Rising Sun Tavern
Friday, December 4, 2026
5 to 8 p.m.
Step into the magic of the 18th century as the Rising Sun Tavern is beautifully decorated for the holidays. 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. FREE and open to the public.
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Holiday Open House at the Mary Washington House
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Noon to 5 p.m.
Discover the charm of an 18th-century Christmas at the Mary Washington House! Experience the holiday season as it was centuries ago—with complimentary tours, live music, Mary’s famous gingerbread, warm apple cider and exclusive holiday sales at the museum store. FREE and open to the public.