HISTORIC FREDERICKSBURG

The Fredericksburg region is steeped in history dating back to the beginning of our nation.  George Washington spent his youth at secenic Ferry Farm, nestled on the Stafford County side of the Rappahannock River, directly across from Old Town Fredericksburg. 

James Madison - father of the U.S. Constitution - was born in Fredericksburg, while his successor to the presidency, James Monroe, was a practicing attorney here in the city.  Virginia's Statute of Religious Freedomwas penned by Thomas Jefferson, while visiting the city in 1777. 

Nearby Spotsylvania County is the crossroads of the Civil War.  People like Pocahantas and Captain John Smith were among the first tourist to visit Stafford County and 140,000 Civil War troops followed in the years to come.

The hub for this entire area is historic Old Town Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg has always been a favorable location for milling. The river provided valuable water power as well as an important transportation link for receiving raw materials and shipping finished products. Prior to the Civil War, most of the city's mills were owned and operated by local investors.

Walk thru history on historic Washington Avenue. This residential neighborhood was once part of the 863-acre Kenmore Plantation. For years the only house was the Lewis mansion which was built in 1752. Located on the plantation and not far from the Lewis home was a ledge of rocks looking westward over a small valley. This was a favorite spot of Mary Washington, mother of Betty Washington Lewis, and she asked to be buried there. In 1833 a monument to Mary Washington at her grave site was partially built but was not completed. In 1851 the town of Fredericksburg expanded its boundaries to include this area. Until 1889 the "Kenmore Plain" was only open farmland with the Lewis house and the unfinished monument. Built in 1752 for Betty Washington Lewis, wife of Colonel Fielding Lewis and sister of General George Washington, the house is an outstanding example of mid-eighteenth century Tidewater Virginia architecture and renowned for its ornate plasterwork ceilings. Colonel Fielding Lewis was appointed by the Virginia Convention of 1775 as a Commissioner, with others, "to form, establish and conduct a manufactory of small arms at Fredericksburg". The kitchen and office dependencies were reconstructed during the 1920's and the Crowninshield Museum was built in 1975. Built in 1752 for Betty Washington Lewis, wife of Colonel Fielding Lewis and sister of General George Washington, the house is an outstanding example of mid-eighteenth century Tidewater Virginia architecture and renowned for its ornate plasterwork ceilings. Colonel Fielding Lewis was appointed by the Virginia Convention of 1775 as a Commissioner, with others, "to form, establish and conduct a manufactory of small arms at Fredericksburg". The kitchen and office dependencies were reconstructed during the 1920's and the Crowninshield Museum was built in 1975.