Walk in the footsteps of Fredericksburg's history,
the footfalls that helped steer the course of a nation.
Visit Washington Heritage Museums
Tours for the Mary Washington House are timed throughout the day at 15 minutes past each hour (i.e. 10:15 a.m. 11:15, 12:15, etc.) with the last tour of the day beginning at 3:15 p.m. Due to limited capacity, we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.
Guided tours of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop and the Rising Sun Tavern are offered as guests arrive and do not have predetermined start times. Please note our hours of operation and allow approximately 45 minutes for each tour.
Washington Heritage Museums proudly offers the following ways to receive FREE or reduced admission to our museums.
Click an image below to learn more.
Mary Washington House
1200 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-1569
All tours at the Mary Washington House are offered at 15 minutes past the hour (i.e. 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m.) with the last tour of the day at 3:15 p.m. Due to limited capacity at each tour time, we encourage the purchase of tickets online at the link below.
ADMISSION FEES
Adults: $12 per person | Youth ages 6-18: $6 per child | Under 6: Free
DISCOUNTED ADMISSION: (AAA, Senior 60+, Military, College Student, Trolley Tour) $10 per adult and $5 per child. Must present valid ID or membership card.
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION: (WHM Member, Blue Star Family, ROAM, Museums for All) Must present valid ID or membership card. We also offer complimentary admission for caregivers of people with disabilities.
HOURS
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Last tour of the day begins at 3:15 p.m.
Be sure to visit the museum stores at each site during regular hours—admission is always free.
Nestled at the corner of Lewis and Charles Street, the Mary Washington House stands as a vivid tribute to the mother of our nation’s first president. This historic tour invites you to explore the home of Mary Ball Washington and discover the stories and treasures within its walls.
As you walk through this beautifully preserved 18th-century house, you'll gain unique insights into the life and legacy of Mary Ball Washington and the Washington family. Historic site interpreters wearing period attire will lead you through each room and the outdoor kitchen, sharing fascinating anecdotes and historical context, bringing the past to life with every step. Outside, the Garden Club of Virginia’s 1969-restored garden offers a peaceful retreat, and the museum store invites guests to browse unique keepsakes, gifts, and collectibles.
Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for an engaging cultural experience, the Mary Washington House Tour offers a captivating glimpse into America's founding era.
PROPERTY HISTORY
ca. 1772 George Washington purchased this Fredericksburg house as a home for his mother, Mary Ball Washington. She spent her final seventeen years here.
Set at the corner of Charles and Lewis Streets, the white frame house stood within walking distance of Kenmore, home of Mary’s daughter, Betty Washington Lewis. Tradition holds that the Marquis de Lafayette once visited and found Mary working in her garden. In 1789, George Washington came here to receive his mother’s blessing before his inauguration.
In 1890, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities—later Preservation Virginia—acquired the house and saved it from demolition. The organization opened it to the public in 1900; after extensive restoration, the house reopened in 1931. Today, the Mary Washington House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, and it stands within the Fredericksburg Historic District.
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
1020 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-3362
All tours at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop are presented as guests arrive and do not have predetermined starting times. Please note our hours of operation and allow approximately 45 minutes for each tour. Tickets may be purchased at the link below.
ADMISSION FEES
Adults: $12 per person | Youth ages 6-18: $6 per child | Under 6: Free
DISCOUNTED ADMISSION: (AAA, Senior 60+, Military, Trolley) $10 per adult and $5 per child. Must present valid ID or membership card.
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION: (WHM Member, Blue Star, ROAM, Museums for All). Must present valid ID or membership card. We also offer complimentary admission for caregivers of people with disabilities.
HOURS
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Last tour of the day begins at 3:30 p.m.
Be sure to visit the museum stores at each site during regular hours—admission is always free.
Discover the fascinating world of colonial medicine practiced by Dr. Hugh Mercer, Brigadier General during the American Revolution and a close friend of George Washington.
Visitors will have the opportunity to not only learn about this Revolutionary hero, but also the intriguing practices and remedies used during the era. Knowledgeable historic interpreters in period attire engage visitors as first-person assistants of Dr. Mercer. Learn about the herbs, leeches, and other treatments that were once the height of medical science. This is a rare chance to gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of 18th-century medicine.
Afterwards, stroll through the medicinal garden located in the back of the Apothecary Shop, where fragrant herbs, healing plants, and time-honored remedies reveal how families once cared for their health and home.
PROPERTY HISTORY
ca. 1772 This restored eighteenth-century building now houses the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, a museum exploring medicine, pharmacy, and Revolutionary-era history. Dr. Mercer practiced in Fredericksburg for fifteen years, treating patients with remedies such as leeches, lancets, snakeroot, and crab claws. Among his patients was Mary Washington. Today, the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop stands within the Fredericksburg Historic District.
Rising Sun Tavern
1304 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 371-1494
All tours at the Rising Sun Tavern are presented as guests arrive and do not have predetermined starting times. Please note our hours of operation and allow approximately 45 minutes for each tour. Tickets may be purchased at the link below.
ADMISSION FEES
Adults: $12 per person | Youth ages 6-18: $6 per child | Under 6: Free
DISCOUNTED ADMISSION: (AAA, Senior 60+, Military, College Student, Trolley Tour) $10 per adult and $5 per child. Must present valid ID, membership card or tour receipt.
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION: (WHM Member, Blue Star Family, ROAM, Museums for All) Must present valid ID or membership card. We also offer complimentary admission for caregivers of people with disabilities.
HOURS
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Last tour of the day begins at 3:30 p.m.
Be sure to visit the museum stores at each site during regular hours—admission is always free.
Originally built in 1760 as the home of Charles Washington, the brother of George Washington, this historic building was later transformed into a bustling tavern by 1792. As you wander through its well-preserved rooms, you'll be transported to an era where the clinking of glasses and lively conversations were a staple of daily life.
Our knowledgeable site interpreters will lead you through the tavern's fascinating history and the role it played in the social and political life of colonial Virginia. Experience the ambiance of an 18th-century tavern, complete with authentic furnishings and period artifacts. This engaging tour brings the past to life, revealing the people, conversations and customs that once filled this beloved landmark in Fredericksburg.
PROPERTY HISTORY
ca. 1760 George Washington’s youngest brother, Charles, built this frame house around 1760 as his home. In 1792, the Wallace family converted it into a tavern that served travelers in Fredericksburg’s busy port for 35 years.
Preservation Virginia acquired the Rising Sun Tavern in 1907 and restored key features. Much of the tavern’s original woodwork still survives. Today, the Rising Sun Tavern is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and as a National Historic Landmark within the Fredericksburg Historic District.
Mary Washington Monument Site
1500 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-5630
ADMISSION FREE
HOURS
Dawn to Dusk
The Caretaker’s Lodge is not currently open to visitors, but the monument grounds are open dawn to dusk at no cost.
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in August 2026, extensive renovations and improvements will be made to the Mary Washington Monument grounds and access to the site may be limited.
Explore the Mary Washington Monument grounds at your own pace and discover a quiet corner of Fredericksburg shaped by memory, family, and preservation. Walk from the monument to Meditation Rock, pause near the Gordon Family Cemetery, and look for the Eskridge Oak and Caretaker’s Cottage as you uncover the stories connected to Mary Washington’s final resting place. The Caretaker’s Lodge is not currently open to visitors, but the monument grounds are open dawn to dusk at no cost.
This outdoor experience offers a meaningful way
PROPERTY HISTORY
ca. 1894 The Mary Washington Monument, dedicated on May 10, 1894, honors the mother of George Washington. Mary was buried in 1789 on property owned by her daughter, Betty Lewis, and son-in-law, Fielding Lewis. Although her exact grave is unknown, tradition places it near Meditation Rock, a quiet sandstone outcropping she is believed to have visited for reflection and prayer.
An earlier monument begun in the 1830s was never finished and had deteriorated by the late 1800s. When the property was advertised for sale in 1889, supporters rallied to fund the monument that stands today. In early 2023, the City of Fredericksburg entrusted the care of the Mary Washington Monument property to Washington Heritage Museums, a powerful gesture recognizing the importance of preserving her legacy.
The site also includes the Caretaker’s Cottage, Gordon Family Cemetery, and Eskridge Oak.
The Mary Washington Monument is part of the Washington Avenue Historic District.
St. James' House
1300 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-5630
ADMISSION FEES
Adults: $12 per person | Youth ages 6-18: $6 per child | Under 6: Free
DISCOUNTED ADMISSION: (AAA, Senior 60+, Military, College Student, Trolley Tour) $10 per adult and $5 per child. Must present valid ID, membership card or tour receipt.
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION: (WHM Member, Blue Star Family, ROAM, Museums for All) Must present valid ID or membership card. We also offer complimentary admission for caregivers of people with disabilities.
HOURS
St. James’ House is open for public tours Monday through Saturday, between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, during Historic Garden Week in Virginia and the first week in October. With advance notice, it may be possible to book a group tour for ten or more people. Please call 540-373-5630 for more information.
Among Fredericksburg’s most treasured landmarks stands St. James’ House, an elegant example of colonial architecture and a living testament to the city’s vibrant history. Built around 1760 by James Mercer, Mary Washington’s attorney, this frame home is filled with an outstanding collection of preserved architecture, exquisite period furniture and stunning art. The St. James’ House is open during Garden Week, the first week in October, and by appointment for groups.
PROPERTY HISTORY
ca. 1760's The St. James' House was originally home to James Mercer, an attorney, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, first judge of the General Court in Fredericksburg, and the attorney who drew up the will for Mary Washington. Mercer built the house on land once owned by Fielding Lewis, brother-in-law of George Washington.
The house is particularly noted for the collection of antique furniture and decorative arts assembled by Daniel Breslin and William Tolerton, who restored St. James' in the mid-1960's and bequeathed it, along with an endowment for its perpetual care, to Preservation Virginia. The St. James’ House is located within the Fredericksburg Historic District.