Fredericksburg was established in 1728 and became a part of the United States in 1781. For history enthusiasts, exploring the top historical sites & museums in Fredericksburg offers a deep dive into the city’s rich past. Whether you’re visiting historic landmarks or immersing yourself in local culture at one of the many museums in Fredericksburg, you’ll gain a unique appreciation for its storied heritage.
Visitors to America’s most historic metropolis will find many historic sites in this Virginian city.
Now is the perfect time to start organizing your outdoor historical activities. The leaves are changing, and it’s getting colder!
We discuss some of our top historical sites and museums in this piece.
Top Historical Sites & Museums to Visit in Fredericksburg
#1 Visit Fredericksburg’s Confederate Cemetery: A Tribute to Civil War Heroes
- Fredericksburg’s Confederate Cemetery is at Washington Avenue. It honors 3,353 Confederates who died in the Civil War.
- Some soldiers’ identities are still unknown. They were from the fourteen Southern states and were buried here.
- Georgian marble is used for headstones. In 1884, a life-size zinc monument with a granite base was erected in honor of the “Confederate Dead.”
- This cemetery honors those who died in a bloody battle. It is a memorial to 2,184 unknown graves and six Confederate generals.
Address: 1000 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Get Directions
#2 Explore the James Monroe Museum Fredericksburg: A Tribute to America’s 5th President
The James Monroe Museum honors the fifth president. It has resources and displays on the study of his life.
- This museum has the nation’s largest collection of Monroe-related documents and artifacts.
- This museum, opened in 1927, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has the Monroe family’s antiques and historical documents. They are private collections.
- James Monroe is famous for his presidency and as a founding father. He served in the public sector for 50 years, fighting in the Revolutionary War.
- The museum shows his life. It highlights his brave, devoted, and heroic deeds. They support representative governance.
Address: 908 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Get Directions
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm
#3 Old Masonic Cemetery in Fredericksburg
The Fredericksburg Masonic Cemetery is a graveyard for past Masons in the Fredericksburg area. It is particularly beautiful in the fall.
- The Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge maintains over 200 Masonic graves. They are from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and later. It is where George Washington became a Mason.
Address: Corner of George & Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Get Directions
#4 Explore Kenmore Plantation and Gardens: A Georgian Mansion Tour
In 1776, Betty Washington Lewis and her husband, Fielding, built a beautiful brick palace. It is in the Georgian style. It was the 18th century. Betty was George Washington’s sister.
- The 1,300-acre Kenmore Plantation holds the Kenmore Mansion. It shows the wealth and status of the gentry before the Revolutionary War.
- The estate has 18th-century furniture and furnishings. They make guests feel as if they’ve stepped into a time machine.
- Visitors can enjoy a one- to two-hour tour. It is interactive and overseen by the George Washington Foundation. The tour highlights the sacrifices of the Lewis Family during the war.
Address: 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Get Directions
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm
#5 Mary Washington House Fredericksburg
Mary Washington, George Washington’s mother, lived in the house he bought in 1772. George Washington visited the home before his 1789 inauguration. He wanted his mother’s approval before taking office as US president.
- This house is preserved by the George Washington Foundation and is located close to the Kenmore.
- After being spared from demolition in 1890, the home has undergone some renovation and is now easily accessible to the general public.
Address: 1200 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Get Directions
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 4 pm
#6 The Rising Sun Tavern
Charles Washington, the brother of George Washington, constructed this tavern in the 1760s, first using it as his personal home.
- In 1792, the structure was rented out as a tavern after being sold to someone other than the Washington family.
- The Rising Sun Tavern has served as a rest stop for travelers in busy Fredericksburg for 35 years. Visitors are now transported to the late 1700s.
- This bar, with its 18th-century relics, offers a glimpse into its former patrons’ lives.
Address: 1304 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Get Directions
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 4 pm
#7 George Washington’s Ferry Farm
George Washington, then six years old, lived at George Washington’s Ferry Farm in 1738, which is regarded as the location where he developed into the remarkable man he became known for.
- Visitors can experience a guided tour of the Ferry Farm that covers the lives of George, his mother, and the other Washington family members.
- The displays that describe the life and hardships encountered by the Washington family are open for tourists to view both before and after the house tour.
Address: 268 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, Get Directions
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm
Explore the German Heritage of Fredericksburg: From Founding to Today
Early Stage
A group of German immigrants founded Fredericksburg on May 8, 1846. They did it under the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.
The second colony of the Society was established by John O. Meusebach between two creeks, four miles north of the Pedernales River. To honor Prince Frederick of Prussia, he named the settlement Friedrichsburg. It was later changed to Fredericksburg.
In addition to property in town, settlers were given a ten-acre lot outside of it. The colonists planted maize. They built storehouses to protect their supplies and trade items. They also prepared for the summer influx of new arrivals.
The town had 754 residents and Gillespie County had 1,235 by 1850, according to census statistics.
Growth
The town grew significantly in its early years. The first route from Fredericksburg to Austin was constructed in less than two years after the town was founded.
The first privately held business was opened by J.L. Ransleben, and the Nimitz family opened their hotel, which soon rose to prominence as Central Texas’ most well-known establishment.
Zodiac, a Mormon hamlet nearby, served as a valuable resource for learning how to farm and live in the new location.
The town’s exclusive community expanded to outside guests and businesses as the number of German residents increased.
In 1881, Fort Martin Scott hosted the inaugural Gillespie County Fair, which was later relocated to Fredericksburg in 1889. The town saw the establishment of its first ice factory in 1907 and its first electric light company in 1896.
Today
By the 1850s, Fredericksburg was a well-known stop for westward travelers.
The early 1800s saw the beginning of the modern tourism sector, which is still growing today. By means of its museum, neighborhood gatherings, and community outreach, the Gillespie County Historical Society protects and celebrates the town’s past.
Currently housing the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Nimitz hotel welcomes more than 150,000 visitors a year.
Locals, Texans, and tourists from all over the world come to Fredericksburg for its numerous annual events, many of which are themed on the town’s history. The third weekend in August is when Fredericksburg hosts the Gillespie County Fair.
Top Historical Sites & Museums in Fredericksburg FAQs
1. What are the top historical sites to visit in Fredericksburg?
Fredericksburg is home to several historical sites, including:
- Fredericksburg’s Confederate Cemetery: Honors 3,353 Civil War soldiers.
- James Monroe Museum: Features the largest collection of Monroe-related artifacts.
- Old Masonic Cemetery: A historic burial ground with ties to the Revolutionary War.
- Kenmore Plantation and Gardens: A Georgian-style mansion offering interactive tours.
- Mary Washington House: The former home of George Washington’s mother.
- The Rising Sun Tavern: An 18th-century tavern that once served travelers.
- George Washington’s Ferry Farm: Where the young George Washington lived and grew up.
2. What can I expect to see at Fredericksburg’s Confederate Cemetery?
The cemetery, located at 1000 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA, is a memorial to 3,353 Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. It features Georgian marble headstones and a life-size zinc monument erected in 1884. The cemetery also honors 2,184 unknown graves and six Confederate generals.
3. When is the James Monroe Museum open to visitors?
The James Monroe Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Located at 908 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA, it showcases the largest collection of Monroe-related documents and artifacts in the nation.
4. What can visitors expect at Kenmore Plantation and Gardens?
Kenmore Plantation, built in 1776 by Betty Washington Lewis, features a Georgian-style mansion with 18th-century furnishings. Visitors can enjoy interactive tours that highlight the Lewis family’s sacrifices during the Revolutionary War. The estate is located at 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA.
5. What is the historical significance of the Mary Washington House?
The Mary Washington House, located at 1200 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA, was the home of George Washington’s mother, Mary Washington. George visited the house before his 1789 inauguration. The home has been preserved and is open to the public after undergoing renovations.
6. What can I learn about Fredericksburg’s German heritage?
Fredericksburg was founded by German immigrants on May 8, 1846, under the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. Named Friedrichsburg in honor of Prince Frederick of Prussia, the town has grown significantly over the years and is now known for its German heritage and numerous annual events.
7. What are the opening hours for The Rising Sun Tavern?
The Rising Sun Tavern is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm. Located at 1304 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA, the tavern offers a glimpse into 18th-century life and history.
8. What can visitors expect at George Washington’s Ferry Farm?
George Washington’s Ferry Farm, located at 268 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA, offers guided tours that explore the early years of George Washington’s life. The site provides insights into the lives of the Washington family and features displays about their experiences.