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., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 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 timed throughout the day at 15 minutes past each hour (i.e., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 a.m.) with the last tour of the day beginning 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, ROAM, Museums for All) Must present valid ID or membership card. We also offer complimentary admission for caregivers of people with disabilities.
HOURS
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
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, ROAM, Museums for All). Must present valid ID or membership card. We also offer complimentary admission for caregivers of people with disabilities.
HOURS
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
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
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
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 to connect with one of the Washington Avenue Historic District’s most reflective sites.
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, 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.