Washington Heritage Museums Calendar
Join us for our upcoming events and programs!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall Opening of St. James’ House
October 3-8th, 2022 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
St. James’ House is open to the public for tours just two weeks a year, a week in the spring and a week in the fall. Tour the St James’ House to see its beautiful collection of antiques and decorative arts. Be sure to stroll the handsome gardens after your tour. Admission is $5 per person. The house was originally home to James Mercer, an attorney. Mercer was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the first judge of the General Court in Fredericksburg, and the attorney who drew up the will of Mary Washington. Mercer built the house on land once owned by Fielding Lewis, brother-in-law of George Washington. St. James’ House contains a fine collection of antique furniture and decorative arts. Daniel Breslin and William Tolerton lovingly restored St. James’ in the mid-1960s and eventually bequeathed it to Preservation Virginia. Washington Heritage Museums then received the property and its collections by deed of gift in 2012. St. James’ House serves as the headquarters for Washington Heritage Museums.
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Holiday Open House at the Tavern
December 2nd, 2022 | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Tour this historic property, free of charge, beautifully decorated for the season and vibrant with holiday activity.
A holiday tour of the Rising Sun Tavern is a treat for the entire family! Taste seasonal treats and beverages, see live vignettes of Tavern life, and enjoy the period music!
This FREE event is Washington Heritage Museums' gift to a supportive community and we welcome your friends and family! House tours will be at timed intervals for the comfort and enjoyment of our guests.
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Mary Washington House Holiday Open House
December 4th 2022 | 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Tour the Mary Washington House in the spirit of the 18th- century Christmas.
Shop for unique gifts in the museum store while sipping hot cider and sampling Mary Washington's famous gingerbread. The museum store will be hosting a special holiday sale for this one day only. With a delightfully curated selection of gifts, getting a start on your holiday shopping will be fun and easy!
Bring your friends and family to this FREE holiday event!
WHM SPEAKER SERIES
Sponsored by
Lewis Insurance Associates
All Speaker Series programs begin at 10:00 am in the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Theater
1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
The programs are welcome to all and there is no charge to attend.
The use of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s meeting facility does not constitute the library’s endorsement and sponsorship of the program or the organizer’s policies and beliefs.
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What is Involved in Renovating an Old House
October 6th | Jan Bieneck
Mrs. Bieneck will be discussing the process of restoring a historic home. She will touch on the research into the history of the home including the period in which the house was built, period appropriate furniture, and choosing paint colors to the actual renovation process. She invites attendees to tour her nearby home, which dates to the late 18th century, after the program.
Tourism Talk - Where We Are and Where We Hope to Be
November 3rd | MC Morris
Ms. Morris will provide a brief overview of the past year in Fredericksburg as it relates to economic development and tourism. She will talk about what is on the horizon for city tourism and the city’s efforts to expand the market appeal and widen the demographic of Fredericksburg’s visitors through authentic visitor experiences.
Chatham Rises: Wealth, Position, Obligation and Torment
December 1st | John Hennessy
This program will look at Chatham's early decades under the Fitzhughs' ownership - its agricultural foundations, the expectations placed on its owners (the Fitzhughs), and the realities of one of the region's two most prominent colonial plantations. Chatham's story is an uneasy admixture of elegance and oppression, permeated with competing quests for prosperity and freedom.