Fredericksburg

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A weekend in Historic Fredericksburg

A June 1995 trip to Fredericksburg by AnaMH

Masonic CemeteryMore Photos

My visit to Virginia most appealing town, Fredericksburg. The town retains its colonial charm with its stylish well-designed downtown streets and buildings. The white picket fences of its streets make for postcard views throughout the town. The riverfront’s 18th and 19th century buildings currently house several antique stores and bookshops.

  • 10 reviews
  • 7 photos

A weekend in Historic FredericksburgBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The Slave Auction Block
During the colonial times, Fredericksburg was an important river port city. This alone would give it a place in American history but Fredericksburg has more important reasons to be a part of our early history. Also giving it a place in our history is the fact that it was a central meeting point for George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe and John Paul Jones.

This central location gave Fredericksburg an important location during the Civil War. This made the area in town and nearby very sought after, which lead to many of the famous battles such as the Fredericksburg Campaign, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania and the Wilderness. A great place to get a feel for this is the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield Park.

We'll cover the battlefields, cemeteries, historic buildings, including The Rising Sun Tavern, Mary Washington's house, James Monroe's home.

Quick Tips:

Fredericksburg is located in northern Virginia. It is located just 50 miles south of Washington D.C. which makes for a wonderful day trip from the capital. Once you get to the town, hit the information center for a free map with points of interest listed.

Best Way To Get Around:

Sakura Japanese Steak and SeafoodBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Who would have thought you could find excellent sushi in a famous colonial town! The food here is excellent. Be sure to sit at the sushi bar. The tuna here was fresh and very very tasty. I still remember that Tuna Tataki.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Sakura Japanese Steak and Seafood
4540 Plank Road Fredericksburg, Virginia

Rising Sun TavernBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Rising Sun Tavern
Originally built in 1760 by Charles Washington, brother to George Washington. Later this location was used as a tavern. The only tavern in the busy colonial port city of Fredericksburg. Visit the tavern and enjoy the 'tavern wenches,' stories of life in a tavern in the 18th century.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Rising Sun Tavern
1304 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
(540) 371-1494

James Monroe MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library"

James Monroe's Home
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library contains a extensive collection of the personal possessions, furnishings, and papers of Monroe and his wife Elizabeth. James Monroe, our fifth president, first began practicing law in Fredericksburg. The museum has several pieces that Monroe also enjoyed in the White House.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

James Monroe Museum
908 Charles Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
(540) 654-1043

Masonic CemeteryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Masonic Cemetery
There are many well-known people are buried here including Lewis Littlepage. He was a distinguished scholar, diplomat and soldier. I love to wander here and read the stones. I sat in a bench and read waiting for my nephew to come back. The land was donated to the lodge by an early mayor of the city. Young George Washington was raised a Mason in this lodge in 1752. The lodge museum contains memorabilia relating to his membership, including an original Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Masonic Cemetery
900 Block of Charles Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
(540) 654-1043

Historic Kenmore Plantation & GardensBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Historic Kenmore Plantation & Gardens"

This elegant mansion was built by Fielding Lewis for his wife, Betty, the only sister of George Washington. The mansion contains three of the most elaborately decorated rooms of the period, including one named one of the '100 Most Beautiful Rooms in America.' Try the gingerbread in the Tea Room. The gift shop is a great find.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Historic Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
1201 Washington Avenue Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
(540) 373-3381

Fredericksburg Area MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This museum contains permanent exhibit galleries which help tell the story of the Fredericksburg area's and its place in our nations history. The exhibits cover from pre-historic times to the current perod.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Fredericksburg Area Museum
907 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
(540) 371-3037

Mary Washington HouseBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Mary Washington's home
George Washington bought this home for his mother in 1772. She lived here her last 17 years of her life. She lived here to be close to her daughter Betty, who lived in the Kenmore Planation. The house has excellent period furnishings and many of her personal possessions. It was very quiet and peaceful during our visit.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Mary Washington House
1200 Charles Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
(540) 373-1569

Fredericksburg Confederate CemeteryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Entrance to Confederate Cemetery
I spent close to an hour wandering this cemetery and reading tombstones. Some of the markings are very interesting historically. There are so many soldiers buried here that died during the Battle of Fredericksbugh on De. 13, 1862. This battle was considered Confederate Commander Robert E Lee's most lopsided victory of the Civil War.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery
1013 Lafayette Boulevard Fredericksburg, Virginia
(540) 373-6122

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania Military ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania Military Park"

The park was created to commemorate the heroic deeds of the men that fought during the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania. There were over 110,000 casualities suffered during these four major battles fought in or near to Fredericksburg. There are many outdoor exhibits which help make the Battlefield the learning tool that it was created as. There are many educational walks including Sunken Road, Marye's Heights and Bloody Angle. Park roads link tour (self, private or guided) stops on all four of the battlefields.

The Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center and Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center are open daily with exhibits and each has a slide program. Chatham Manor contains exhibits and is open daily. The 'Stonewall' Jackson Shrine where the general died contains exhibits and is manned by a Historian.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by AnaMH on November 9, 2000

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania Military Park
120 Chatham Lane Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405-2508
(540) 373-6122

About the Writer

AnaMH
AnaMH
South Florida, Florida

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