Mary Washington House
Mary Washington House
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
In 1772, George Washington purchased a house in Fredericksburg, Virginia for his mother, Mary Ball Washington. She spent her last seventeen years in this comfortable home. The white frame house sites on the corner of Charles and Lewis Streets and was within walking distance of Kenmore, the home of Mary's daughter, Betty Washington Lewis. Tradition has it that, during the Revolution, General Lafayette found Mrs. Washington in her garden. As the President-to-be, George Washington came to this home to receive his mother's blessing before attending his inauguration in 1789.
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4.5
199 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
67
Average
23
Poor
1
Terrible
0
podrozniczka60
New Jersey16,597 contributions
May 2022
Our walking journey through the historic Fredericksburg brought us finally to Mary Washington House, the place we wanted to see. Our visit was shortened by the special event they were preparing. The house and the surroundings were very beautiful, and we tried to absorb as much as possible information. The special event had to be lovely in such a great place.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScottStemler
Rankin, PA107 contributions
May 2023
While we were on the Fredericksburg trolley tour, one of the historical homes we went by was the home of George Washington's mother, Mary. We decided after the trolley tour to make our way here to visit her home. Our tour guide was excellent and really showed his knowledge of colonial history. We always appreciate being able to visit a historic home, and really enjoyed our tour. A stop here is highly recommended if you are in the Fredericksburg area.
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhonda D
5 contributions
June 2017 • Couples
We enjoyed visiting the Mary Washington House. It was so fascinating to go back in history to see how they lived in the 18th century. By contrast, it's a reminder of how easy we have it. Mary had to go out of her main house to an outside building that was the kitchen, and do all her cooking there. Seeing the authentic period pieces was quite interesting. Our tour guide, sorry I do not recall her name, was very knowledgeable, informing us of many facts and tidbits. If you're fortunate and a cat lover, you will have the pleasure of meeting the neighbor's cat Nemo, who accompanied us on the outdoor tour. The only thing I can say negatively is that it can get expensive for a family for a relatively short tour. Other than that, it's a nice little piece of history to see.
Written 15 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda G
Cranford, NJ128 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
The two docents, Barbara and Grace, were the most wonderful guides I have ever met in all my years of visiting historical sites. They were not only knowledgable and informative, but fun, friendly, charming, helpful, and just a delight. They knew a great deal about this location and the other sites in the area. I cannot praise these two women enough!!
As for the site, this is a charming home just a few blocks from Kenmore - worth the trip. There is a guided tour of 3 rooms and a self-guided tour of the second floor, kitchen, and lovely gardens.
As for the site, this is a charming home just a few blocks from Kenmore - worth the trip. There is a guided tour of 3 rooms and a self-guided tour of the second floor, kitchen, and lovely gardens.
Written 21 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahina2
Annapolis, MD12 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
As with the Rising Sun Tavern, Mary Washington House guides are so informative and engaging. A beautiful little home with some of Mrs. W's possession, and period pieces, but mostly great stories. And, as our docent said there is no doubt George Washington slept here.
Written 15 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laylamonroe35
South Carolina139 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
The house was nicely decorated in period items, and the tour guides tell you which items actually belonged to Ms. Washington. The guides were very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the tour very much. There was plenty of free parking along the street and the tour was very reasonably priced.
Written 5 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ynnej
SLC, UT52 contributions
Oct 2010
I first visited this historic home as a child, and came back with my own daughter for a visit. The guides were very accommodating and helpful and tried to make things interesting for my small daughter. Beautiful gardens, and you can walk to Kenmore along the route that Mary herself would have taken to visit her daughter there. The gift shop was pretty good, too. Worth a visit.
Written 6 April 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bassbum
Cincinnati, OH6,973 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
When Mama Mary wasn't able to continue running the farm, George moved her into this modest by today's standards but opulent by the standards of her day house on Marye's Heights above Fredericksburg. Here she lived out her life around the corner from her daughter Betty Fielding, mistress of Kenmore Plantation.
Although of little interest to kids, the tour by friendly and knowledgably docents is superb and gives a clearer look at the prestigious position held by George and his family prior to the Revolution. Since we were the only visitors at the time, the tour was basically a private walk through the house. This provided the opportunity to move at our own speed and ask a plethora of questions deftly handled by a knowledgeable docent.
Everyone needs to visit Mary's house at least once. The cost is modest and the surroundings superb.
Although of little interest to kids, the tour by friendly and knowledgably docents is superb and gives a clearer look at the prestigious position held by George and his family prior to the Revolution. Since we were the only visitors at the time, the tour was basically a private walk through the house. This provided the opportunity to move at our own speed and ask a plethora of questions deftly handled by a knowledgeable docent.
Everyone needs to visit Mary's house at least once. The cost is modest and the surroundings superb.
Written 17 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BearTraveler69
Santiago, Chile310 contributions
June 2016 • Couples
George Washington bought this home for his mother to spend the last 17 years of her life. The house itself is interesting despite the fact that there are only 4-5 rooms to see over two floors. It gives a good insight into life for those with a bit of money during the Revolutionary War period. There is also a small garden out back and the kitchen is open for viewing. Probably of most interest is the detail provided by the guides on Mary's entire life and in particular her fortitude after her husband died, when she raised 5 children and ran Ferry Farm on her own. It gives you a real appreciation not only for this woman who survived 81 years but the kind of person who raised George Washington and imbued him with his leadership and strength.
Written 3 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC25,380 contributions
July 2013 • Friends
Ever have to wait for your tour to start and really have no interest in all the posted information... Well you don't have to worry about that at Mary Washington's House. You rarely see this and it was such a blessing. My friend and I were able to join on at the end of a tour and then start a new tour almost immediately. The two guides were very knowledgeable and tried their best to answer any questions that may arise. They kept the tour moving and were very friendly. The house was very well maintained and they made sure to point out the few family pieces that they have retained. This place is just a short walk from Kenmore and historic downtown Fredericksburg. So make the time for this little gem....
Written 13 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Written 26 April 2015
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