What to do in Fredericksburg Virginia-Tour Ferry Farm

“Dammit George!  Stop leaving these stockings in the hall!”  I imagine Mary Washington had a foul mouth and hollered at her children as much as we do our own.  Of course, as with everything I imagine, this is probably completely untrue, but it makes for a better story.

While on a work trip with my husband we had the opportunity to explore Ferry Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  This is a very unique place, not only is it a historic replica of the actual boyhood home of George Washington, but it is also an ongoing live archeological dig along the Rappahannock River. If I ever had to say this name out loud I would be shamed for how I destroyed it.

I am not a historian by any means, but I do enjoy history. Don’t come for me internet, I am going to try to tell the story to the best of my abilities.

In 2003 the George Washington Foundation began a full-scale dig on the site looking for evidence and artifacts of the actual site of the Washington home.  By 2008, after artifact analysis, it was determined that the original location of the home was found.  It took years of research and design to finally break ground in 2015 for a replica of the Washington house.  Finally after years of blood sweat and tears in 2018 the replica of George Washington’s boyhood home was complete and open for tours.

We found this gem by accident as usual with all our adventures.  Rarely are activities planned until we arrive in the area.  For the bargain price of $12 bucks you can tour Ferry Farm completely with a house tour.  For $22 you can also add the Kenmore Estate to that as well.  I also suggest seeing this house as well. We will have another post dedicated to the Kenmore later.

There are displays in the Welcome Center that you can peruse either before or after your house tour.  We opted for the main event first because we are children and have no self-control.  Upon walking up to the house, you notice the craftsmanship of the home itself.  Historians spared no expense for the accuracy of the replicas of not only the materials for the home itself, but the furnishings as well.  The nails were even supplied by a blacksmith in North Carolina.  The furnishings in the home were replicated by the descriptions in probate after the untimely death of George’s father Augustine.  

You have a tour guide take you through the home.  Our guide Cathy was full of information about the Washington family.  The best part about the home tour is that it is literally hands on!  You sit on the furniture, touch the teacups, take pictures, and look at how the beds are made.  There is also an area where you can see the original house’s block foundation. Looking at these replicas make you wonder what it would be like to sleep in these beds or join the ladies for tea.

Of course, there are plenty of back-and-forth questions and answers with Cathy. There is also always that one “Know it All” in the group that you either have to endure or throw out the window.  Self-control prevailed this time and Know it All Ned will live to see another day.  I did however poke him in the eye with one of the Washington family’s two-pronged forks in my head several times.  Ned always had to have the last word challenging Cathy’s knowledge of the Washington’s and history for that matter.  We all knew that Ned suffered from lack of attention as a child and probably cries himself to sleep at night for being so inadequate.

After the house tour you need to make sure you check out the live archeological dig. If you have imagined yourself as a master historian digging for artifacts and looking for answers here is your change to find out what it is like in the day in the life. The archeologist are open to questions and encourage curiosity. They will explain their processes to you while you watch. There is also an indoor lab as well where you can watch them in action. Be aware though, they only stay on the property until 4 PM so plan accordingly.

If you are really up for an adventure, you can walk down the banks to the Rappahannock River along the ferry road. Here you can see the view of the Washington house. I also spent my time here wondering what kind of snakes were going to make a meal out of me, I’m from the Midwest, we don’t have killer snakes.

If you ever find yourself in Fredericksburg, you need to make a pitstop at Ferry Farm. It is very humbling to see where one of our first nation’s heroes got their start. I was never a George Washington superfan, however after touring this site and learning about the family, their triumphs, and their failures it makes me much more appreciative of the actions and accomplishments of our first president and Revolutionary War hero. I would like to end with the one fact that shook me to the core. THERE WAS NEVER A CHERRY TREE! Georgie never chopped that down, never was forced to confess, never said “I cannot lie, I chopped down the cherry tree.” As a matter of the fact, they can find no evidence that the property even had a cherry tree. Now I feel like my whole life was based on a lie.