George Washington's Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore

George Washington's Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore We invite you to visit George Washington's Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore, home of the Lewis family. www.kenmore.org; www.ferryfarm.org
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George Washington's Ferry Farm was on the edge of the frontier in the 1700s when the Washington family called this land home. George Washington lived here from the age of six until he was grown, and it is here that he developed the traits and skills that would propel him to greatness. Visitors may view archaeologists at work identifying and interpreting over 800,000 artifacts in digs where the chi

ldhood home of the nation’s first president once stood. A variety of educational programs, exhibits, and tours of the Washington House are available. The George Washington Foundation continues to develop George Washington’s Ferry Farm with an interpretive landscape to include outbuildings. Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis built Historic Kenmore in 1775, just as the colonies began their war of independence from England. Kenmore stands today as a fine example of an 18th-century, Georgian-style house and boasts some of the most elaborate plasterwork from colonial America. Historic Kenmore, its museum, and grounds are open to the public for guided tours, group tours, and special events. Daily tours focus on the ongoing, comprehensive refurnishing project, the lives of the Lewis and Washington families, and the spectacular architectural features of the house. The George Washington Foundation is a privately held, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in historic Fredericksburg and Stafford County, Virginia. The Foundation relies on support from its generous donors and volunteers for its ongoing programs.

🇺🇸 The countdown to America's 250th Fourth of July is gaining momentum ... and so is our lineup!This July 4th at George ...
06/26/2026

🇺🇸 The countdown to America's 250th Fourth of July is gaining momentum ... and so is our lineup!

This July 4th at George Washington's Ferry Farm, you'll find even more reasons to Declare this the place to celebrate. Catch Riverside Theatre performing a one-of-a-kind mashup of Guys & Dolls and 1776, uncover the secret world of spies with Washington Heritage Museums, meet James Monroe himself at the James Monroe Museum exhibit, create a patriotic bead craft with the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and explore hands-on activities about the Civil War hosted by the National Park Service.

These are just a few of the many experiences waiting for you as we commemorate America's 250th where George Washington's story began. With live performances, living history, family activities, archaeology, music, food, and dozens of community partners, this celebration will be a once-in-a-lifetime event! Join us July 4 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Just $3 per person at the gate, free shuttle and parking at the Eagles Lodge at 21 Cool Springs Road, Fredericksburg.

“We Are Driven” was Datsun’s motto in the 1970s and early ‘80s, but the Hot Wheels Datsun 200 SX we excavated this month...
06/26/2026

“We Are Driven” was Datsun’s motto in the 1970s and early ‘80s, but the Hot Wheels Datsun 200 SX we excavated this month needs a lot of work before it’s street-legal. Though the car may not be roadworthy, it reminds us that George Washington was far from the only kid to call Ferry Farm home. From the children of nineteenth-century farmers to the teenagers who were placed in the foster home here in the ‘80s, generations of young people have lived and played on the property. Our diecast Datsun joins a growing collection of toys uncovered at Ferry Farm, each of which tells us something about how young people spent their time here.

🇺🇸 A 250th Fourth of July! 🇺🇸10am - 4pmBe a part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate America’s 250th birthd...
06/24/2026

🇺🇸 A 250th Fourth of July! 🇺🇸
10am - 4pm

Be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate America’s 250th birthday at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This family-friendly Americana-themed Independence Day event commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation in a setting rich with Revolutionary history.

Join us for a day filled with games, hands-on activities, crafts, living history demonstrations, reenactors, and engaging programs presented by community organizations from across the region.

With dozens of things to see and do, guests will be entertained by performances by the Wil Gravatt Band, Colonial Faire, and Riverside Theater, demonstrations by the Patawomeck Indian Tribe, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, James Monroe Museum, National Park Service, Washington Heritage Museums, Art Cart for Kids, Civil War reenactors, historic food preparers, James Ingram of Colonial Williamsburg, FACES of the 18th Century, the Scandalous Women of the Civil War Guild, and many others!

11:00 am – Inspiring Speeches and Flag Retirement Ceremony

Just $3 per person, ages 3 and up. Purchase tickets on-site, no advance ticket sales.

Free shuttles will run between the Eagles Lodge parking lot on Cool Springs Road and the Ferry Farm and Fourth in Fredericksburg events. Handicap parking only available on-site at Ferry Farm.

Event sponsored by Altria, Davenport, Fredericksburg Museums Council, Gemini 3 Group, Hirschler, Keiter, Tour Stafford, and Visit Fredericksburg.

🔔Only one week left to sign up for American Revolution Camp!🔔Recommended for students age 8-12, American Revolution Camp...
06/22/2026

🔔Only one week left to sign up for American Revolution Camp!🔔

Recommended for students age 8-12, American Revolution Camp is an opportunity for young learners to explore the spark that created our Country 250 years ago in a hands-on, interactive way. Taking place at both George Washington's Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore, campers will learn about life in the 18th century as a colonist, George Washington, what it took to be a soldier in the Revolution, and how those on the home front supported the patriotic effort.

🇺🇸There is no better way to learn our nation's history in the 250th year of its founding!

🕰July 13-17, 9:00am-12:00pm daily.

⌛️Registration closes Monday, June 29.

Register here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/american-revolution-camp-july-2026-tickets-249553

🎶 We're excited to welcome Wil Gravatt to A 250th Fourth of July at Ferry Farm! 🇺🇸A seasoned performer who has entertain...
06/22/2026

🎶 We're excited to welcome Wil Gravatt to A 250th Fourth of July at Ferry Farm! 🇺🇸

A seasoned performer who has entertained audiences around the world and performed for three U.S. Presidents, Wil Gravatt brings a dynamic blend of talent, energy, and Americana spirit to this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of America's 250th birthday. From his roots as a singing drummer to frontman of the acclaimed Wil Gravatt Band, Wil has built a reputation for unforgettable live performances and authentic storytelling through music.

Join us on July 4, 2026, at George Washington's Ferry Farm and enjoy Wil's signature country sound as we celebrate 250 years of American history on the stage where George Washington's story began. It's a performance you won't want to miss! 🎤🎸✨

Happy Father's DayFrom our Houses to yours!Historic Kenmore's Fielding Lewis (1725–1781) fathered 14 children, 7 of whic...
06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day
From our Houses to yours!

Historic Kenmore's Fielding Lewis (1725–1781) fathered 14 children, 7 of which survived to adulthood.

Their father was a man of many talents, and his contributions were crucial to the success of the Revolutionary War. He was a successful merchant, planter, and patriot whose contributions to American independence often go overlooked.

Husband of Betty Washington Lewis and brother-in-law to George Washington, Lewis used his personal fortune to establish and operate a major arms manufactory in Fredericksburg, producing muskets and other military supplies for Virginia's troops during the War for Independence. He even commissioned some of his own ships in the Virginia Colony's Navy.

His dedication to the cause came at great personal cost however, as he went bankrupt supporting the war effort, and these hardships caused his health to decline, ending in his death at age 56, before War's end.

Lewis also oversaw the construction of Historic Kenmore, one of Virginia’s finest Georgian homes. He left behind a legacy of both patriotism and architectural achievement.

in 1733 Betty Washington Lewis was born. Just sixteen months younger than her famous older brother George, not only we...
06/20/2026

in 1733 Betty Washington Lewis was born. Just sixteen months younger than her famous older brother George, not only were the siblings close in age, but they remained close throughout their adulthood. Twenty-four letters between them have survived, and one during the Revolutionary War dated September 21, 1779, is a testament to her sisterly fondness.

The letter indicates that Betty dearly missed George. In sharing that she, her husband Fielding, and their daughter (also named Betty) had recently visited George’s wife Martha, Betty noted her wish that she could have found George there upon their arrival at Mount Vernon. Doing so, she wrote, “would of Compleat’d My Happiness.” It had been at least four long years since Betty had laid eyes on George. Closing the letter, she wistfully expressed her longing for the war’s end, writing, “O when will that Day Come that we Shall meet again[?]—I trust in the Lord soon, till when you have the sincere Prayr’s and Good wishes for your helth [sic] and happiness.”

More details about the siblings’ correspondence can be found in our April 10, 2020 Lives & Legacies blog, “Siblings Strained by Revolution: George and Betty’s Wartime Letters.”

https://livesandlegaciesblog.org/2020/04/10/siblings-strained-by-revolution-george-and-bettys-wartime-letters/

And, if you’d like to take some time to celebrate George’s little sister, swing by Historic Kenmore today for treats, tea, talks, games, and special women’s history tours!



VA250 - American Revolution 250 Commission Visit Fredericksburg, Virginia

Betty Washington, oil on canvas by John Wollaston, courtesy of The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (Party supplies courtesy of Canva).

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm are open today. At both museums, you can explore the lives of the people enslaved at these sites and learn more about the history of Black Americans in the Fredericksburg area.

⛏Uncover the past and explore the science of history during Family Archaeology Day at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! Pe...
06/18/2026

⛏Uncover the past and explore the science of history during Family Archaeology Day at George Washington’s Ferry Farm!

Perfect for kids in grades K-5 to discover together with their caregivers what it means to be an archaeologist while learning about the people who lived at Ferry Farm. Friday, June 26, sessions at 10am and 12pm.

During each session, your junior archaeologists will see real artifacts found at Ferry Farm and learn more about what archaeology can teach us. They will then put their new knowledge to the test as they dig for artifacts at our simulated dig site, learning excavation techniques and the importance of careful observation. After the dig, you and your family can step back in time with a family-friendly tour of the Washington House. Following the program, participants are welcome to visit our active dig site and talk to real archaeologists about their findings!

Choose a session:
Session 1: 10:00am – 11:30am
Session 2: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Admission:
$10 per child participant
$5 per adult attendee
All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Advanced registration for all attendees is required, as space is limited.

https://www.simpletix.com/e/family-archaeology-day-tickets-272485

Address

1201 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA
22401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

540-373-3381

Website

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