Washington Heritage Museums

09/02/2026

Join us on Friday!

History is brewing this First Friday.

Join us on Friday, September 4, in the gorgeous gardens at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop where Spotsylvania's 1781 Brewing Company will be pouring a variety of decadent farmhouse ales from 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Brewer Harry Pagan will present free Brew Talks at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m., sharing the story of beer in Revolutionary-era Virginia and the brewing traditions that inspired the beers we make today.

This is a free event, with a suggested donation of $2.50 per person. Seating for the indoor Brew Talks is limited, so reserve your spot:
washingtonheritagemuseums.networkforgood.com/events/104644-1781-brew-talk-first-friday

Washington Heritage Museums Visit Spotsy

09/02/2026

No RSVP required to enjoy an adult beverage in the Apothecary garden - space is limited inside for Brew Talks at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. To reserve your spot, follow the Calendar link on our bio profile!

https://washingtonheritagemuseums.networkforgood.com/events/104644-1781-brew-talk-first-friday

09/02/2026

As we transition into September, the arrival of Fall signifies the exciting start of our much-anticipated Speaker Series. These free events are held at the Fredericksburg branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Be sure to mark your calendars!

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

Join us for a very special Tea Talk on Tuesday, October 20th as we welcome public historian Amanda Roper. Amanda will explore the often-overlooked role women have played in preserving America’s historic places, cultural heritage and collective memory. From George Washington’s Mount Vernon to the Mary Washington House and the Mary Washington Monument, Amanda will reveal how women have protected not only treasured landmarks, but also the voices, identities, and experiences that connect past and present.

MEET OUR SPEAKER:
Amanda Roper is a public historian who has dedicated her career to preserving historic places and sharing stories that have often been underrepresented in the American historical narrative. She holds a degree in history from the College of Charleston and has worked with several leading cultural and preservation institutions including the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institute and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She was also Director of the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Sr. Manager of Public Programs & Interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia.

Amanda is currently researching and writing a book about the history of women in preservation. She is a 2025-2026 Research Fellow at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

Special thanks to the historic Ironclad Inn & Bourbon Tasting Room for supporting our Tea Talk series. Traveling from outside Fredericksburg—or planning a special local getaway? The Ironclad Inn offers beautiful overnight accommodations just one block from the Mary Washington House.

Tickets will go on sale Monday, September 14th at 9:00 a.m.

https://washingtonheritagemuseums.networkforgood.com/events/104865-tea-talk-saving-america-s-revolutionary-past-women-in-preservation

08/28/2026

FREE PLANTS! We’re getting ready to break ground at the Mary Washington Monument, and before work begins, we’re inviting garden enthusiasts to join us for Dig Day at the Monument!

Bring your own shovel and choose from available plants to dig up and take home for free. Plants are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of four plants per person. The event will be held on Saturday, August 29th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please bring bags, tarps, or other materials to safely transport your plants.

Come early, bring your shovel, and take home a living piece of Mary Washington history to grow in your own yard!

08/28/2026

Sip, stroll and stay for the history! Join us one week from today on September 4th for Fredericksburg's First Friday at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop! Between the hours of 5 to 8 p.m., we are thrilled to welcome 1781 Brewing Company who will offer four authentic farmhouse ales for sale in the garden at the Apothecary.

Then, stay for a little history with a lively BREW TALK exploring beer’s surprising role in everyday life during the Revolutionary era. Discover what people were drinking in 1781—and why beer was often more than just a pleasure. Set inside one of Fredericksburg’s most historic sites, this event blends craft beer and Revolutionary-era culture for an evening that is equal parts flavorful, fascinating, and fun.

No reservations are required to enjoy a beer in the Apothecary garden. However, space is limited inside for the Brew Talk, so we ask that you reserve your spot at the link below. There is no admission charge for the Brew Talk, though a suggested donation of $2.50/person is appreciated in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

https://washingtonheritagemuseums.networkforgood.com/events/104644-1781-brew-talk-first-friday

08/27/2026

Introducing our NEW ⭐Star-Spangled⭐ sponsorship level for this year’s signature event, Bourbon and Boxwood!

At just $250, this level was created in honor of America's 250th anniversary. It is a special opportunity to make an even bigger difference.

The Star-Spangled sponsorship level includes one ticket valued at $150—and for just $100 more, your extra support helps Washington Heritage Museums preserve and protect our five historic sites for generations to come.

Individual tickets will go on sale at noon tomorrow [8.28.26] and we hope you will consider increasing your support. Join us on October 3rd as we raise a glass to 250 years!

08/27/2026

WELCOME! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Marnie Green, our new Operations Manager. Many in the community may already recognize Marnie from her work around town, whether dressed in colonial attire for a historic tour or connecting with visitors in everyday life. She brings with her a deep appreciation for history, strong interpretive and management experience, and an enthusiasm for sharing meaningful stories with guests.

Marnie’s background includes historic interpretation skills developed through her time at George Washington's Mount Vernon and our own Rising Sun Tavern Museum. She also brings extensive professional marketing and management experience in the financial services industry, which she will apply to our museums’ daily operations with a keen focus on the overall guest experience.

Her love of history began early, growing up in New Milford, Connecticut in a historic home (built in 1758), complete with a colonial lineage honored through her volunteer work at DAR. The love of history later became even more personal when her son, Everett, asked at just five years old if he could become a Revolutionary War reenactor. As a proud mother, Marnie began taking him to Mount Vernon, living history sites and museums from Vermont to South Carolina, deepening a family passion for the past. Everett, now a middle school history teacher, continues to carry on that family tradition!

Outside of her work, Marnie enjoys spending time with her husband, Doug, visiting historic sites, playing golf, and traveling. We are delighted to welcome her to this new role and look forward to the energy, experience, and perspective she will bring to our team and guests.

08/26/2026

HOMESCHOOL HISTORY DAY - Due to the incredible response to our inaugural Homeschool History Day on November 3rd, we have decided to add a fourth TOUR TIME. This additional tour will take place from 2:15 to 3:00 p.m. at all three historic sites. Admission is just $2.50 per person (adults and children), per museum. For tickets, follow the link below:

THANK YOU to all the enthusiastic young historians and parent educators who visited our table last week at the FXBG Homeschool Connections event. Your interest and engagement made the day special for us!

https://washingtonheritagemuseums.networkforgood.com/events/104314-homeschool-history-day