Plant Sale + Mary's Attic Sale
Postponed - New Date Coming Soon
Mary Washington House
Bring home a little part of Mary’s Garden and plant a bit of history! For two days only, Garden Manager, Ian Bugay, and our fantastic volunteers have carefully selected and repotted a range of plants from Mary’s Garden including Native Columbine, Crested Iris and Byzantine Gladiola. Proceeds from the Plant Sale help to fund the care of our gardens.
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In conjunction with the Plant Sale, we are also hosting a special sale to help us clean out Mary’s attic (with a great selection of clearance items from our Museum Store). Both sales will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. rain or shine. See you there!
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St. James’ House Spring Opening
Monday, April 28 to Saturday, May 3, 2025
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Daily
Tour the beautiful home and garden of one of Fredericksburg's early attorneys, James Mercer. The house is particularly noted for its fine collection of antique furniture and decorative arts acquired by Daniel Breslin and William Tolerton. Together, they restored St. James’ in the mid-1960s and eventually bequeathed it to Preservation Virginia. St. James’ House now serves as the headquarters for Washington Heritage Museums.​
$10 adult admission, discounted admission available.
WHM members tour free. Tickets available in April.
WHM Speaker Series
May 1, 2025
10:00 AM
Central Rappahannock Regional Library
This presentation explores the significance of the historic Fry-Jefferson map, first published in the 1750s, and its role in shaping Virginia’s development. Discover the stories behind Virginia’s early surveyors and the influence of the extended Jefferson family. Through visually enhanced sections of the map, Kyle will examine settlement patterns into the western foothills of the colony and trace the evolution of county boundaries over time. The discussion will also include direct comparisons to modern maps to better understand how the landscape and the way people perceive it has changed.
A Monumental Celebration: Honoring America’s First Mother
May 4, 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Mary Washington Monument
Join WHM as we honor Mary Washington and her contributions as America’s First Mother. Our free, community event is modeled after the historic 1954 wreath laying attended by President Eisenhower and the USMC Band. This will be a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon with family and friends. Come see the USMC Band and many great speakers that are sure to delight you! Check back here for more information about the day's activities and programs offered. Rain or shine. Bring your camp chairs and picnic blankets.
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Games in the Garden
Saturday, May 17, 2025
11 AM to 1 PM
Mary Washington House
FREE outdoor activities, and museum tours available with paid admission
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​Step into the Mary Washington House Garden to enjoy games as they were played in the 18th century! Some are rarely played today, while others we know now by different names. Children will enjoy testing their skills while playing these fun, hands-on games! The Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society will be joining us for this day of historic fun!
Wreath Laying at the Hugh Mercer Monument
Monday, May 26, 2025
1:00 PM
Hugh Mercer Monument, Washington Avenue
Speaker: Trip Wiggins, local historian
A hero of the Revolutionary War, Hugh Mercer served as a brigadier general under George Washington and practiced as a physician in Fredericksburg from about 1761 to 1776. There will be a bagpipe accompaniment as part of a ceremony to honor General Mercer's sacrifice to our liberty at the Battle of Princeton in 1777.
For your comfort, we suggest that you bring a lawn chair.
WHM Annual Member Reception
Friday, June 6, 2025
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Rising Sun Tavern
WHM members are invited to join us at the Rising Sun Tavern on Friday, June 6 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm for our annual member reception. This fun get together is a great way for our supportive membership community to get to know one another!
The reception will be held rain or shine on the lawn at the Tavern. We'll provide the wine and beer and invite our guests to bring an hors d'oeuvre or dessert to share.
Not a member? Join today to receive your invitation to the reception and to enjoy all the benefits of membership!
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Friday, July 4, 2025
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
FREE, museum tours available with admission ticket
Join Washington Heritage Museums at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop as we celebrate our independence with the annual live reading of the Declaration of Independence. Living historians will read this historic document from the steps in front of this 18th-century building in a moving experience you won't want to miss!
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Twilight History at Washington Heritage Museums
Monday, July 28 to Thursday, July 31, 2025
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location varies by evening
Young historians will enjoy the gift of historic games & activities this summer! This four-evening program is designed engage students with hands-on experiences that explore local history. Programs will rotate between four of Fredericksburg’s most historic sites, including the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, Mary Washington House, and Mary Washington Monument. This a great chance for parents to relax and enjoy downtown Fredericksburg during Fredericksburg’s Restaurant Week!
$150 per registrant, $125 for WHM Members.
Participants must be 8 to 12 years of age during the program.
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WHM Speaker Series
October 2, 2025
November 6, 2025
December 4, 2025
Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Join WHM for the Speaker Series. With a variety of topics, there is something to interest everyone! Our speakers and subjects will be announced soon. In the meantime, we hope you will enjoy watching some of our past lectures on the WHM YouTube Channel.
Bourbon and Boxwood – 10th Anniversary
October 4, 2025
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Mary Washington House
Attend this annual, sell-out event: a spirited garden party with live music, plentiful food, drinks, tastings, silent auction, fantastic guests, and an outstanding way to financially support all five historic properties and their educational programs.​
Sponsorships currently available, individual tickets available to the public on August 1, 2025.
