George Washington Indeed Slept Here

Chesapeake Bay

Portrait by Rembrandt Peale

Colonial Beach - George Washington Birthplace National Monument Park was where he was born on Feb. 22, 1732. See costumed interpreters recreate the sights, sounds and smalls of 18th-century plantation life.

Lancaster - Mary Ball Washington Museum was named for the mother of George Washington, who was born in Lancaster. Extensive library and genealogical research materials date back to 1651. Educational exhibits cover 350 years.

Northern Virginia

Alexandria - Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of the 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. George Washington enjoyed the hospitality provided by tavernkeepers and twice attended the annual Birthnight Ball held in his honor, which continues today!

Alexandria - George Washington's River Farm was one of George Washington's original properties located between Old Town Alexandria and Mt. Vernon. It serves as headquarters of the American Horticultural Society and features 25 acres of beautiful gardens and an 18th-century gentlemen's house.

Alexandria - Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary features more than 8,000 objects — mortars and pestles, drug mills, medical glassware, pill rollers and furnishings — from the late 1700s. George Washington was a patron of the shop.

Alexandria - George Washington gave 2,000 acres of his Mount Vernon estate in 1799 to Eleanor "Nelly" Custis, his wife's granddaughter, and his nephew, Major Lawrence Lewis, as a wedding gift. They built Woodlawn on the property, which was designed by Dr. William Thornton, the first architect of the U.S. Capitol.

Arlington - Enjoy a scenic drive on the George Washington Memorial Parkway along the Potomac from Mount Vernon to Great Falls, Va. The Arlington portion includes various scenic overlooks.

Mount Vernon, George Washington's
beloved estate and gardens

Dumfries - The Weems-Botts Museum was the home of Mason Locke Weems, biographer of George Washington, who created the famous cheery tree myth! Benamin Botts used the house as his law office and is remembered as one of the lead lawyers who defended Aaron Burr during his treason and conspiracy trial.

Fredericksburg - George Washington's Ferry Farm was his boyhood home on the banks of the Rappahannock River. Although there are no buildings, the farm is an active archaeological site, and guides interpret the latest findings.

Fredericksburg - George Washington Masonic Museum was where he became a Mason in 1752. The lodge museum contains memorabilia and relics relating to his membership as well as an original Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington.

Fredericksburg - Historic Kenmore Plantation & Gardens was the home of George Washington's sister, Betty, and her husband, Fielding Lewis.

Fredericksburg - Mary Washington House is the home George Washington bought for his mother in 1772 so that she could be near her daughter, Betty, at Kenmore. See many of her personal possessions.

Fredericksburg - Saint George's Episcopal Church is where George Washington and his family attended, but the original 1700 structure has been replaced. The current building, built in the mid-19th century, was used as a hospital during the Civil War.

Mount Vernon - Mount Vernon, George Washington''s Estate and Gardens is the most visited site in Virginia. Explore the mansion that overlooks the Potomac, and visit the greenhouse, slave quarters, archaeology and restoration museum as well as the George Washington Museum and Washington's Tomb.

Central Virginia

Richmond - The Wilton House Museum was the home of William Randolph III and visited by George Washington.

Shenandoah Valley

Natural Bridge - See the Natural Bridge, a National Historical Landmark and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It was actually surveyed by young George Washington. Look for his initials on the rock.

Winchester - See the George Washington Office Museum, where Washington supervised the construction of Fort Loudoun.

Hampton Roads

Isle of Wight - Boykin's Tavern was named after Francis Boykin who camped with George Washington at Valley Forge.

Newport News - Endview Plantation was visited by General George Washington when the Revolutionary War brought 3,000 militia to its fresh water spring. The home was built in 1769 by Colonel William Harwood Jr., a signer of the Virginia Resolves.

Williamsburg - Colonial Williamsburg's Christiana Campbell's Tavern is renowned as George Washington's favorite Williamsburg eating establishment. It's a great favorite of visitors today, too!

Yorktown - The terms of surrender for the British army were negotiated in 1781 at the Moore House.