George Washington Birthplace National Memorial is a 550 acre national park located in Westmoreland County, Virginia. The National Park Service protects and maintains Popes Creek Plantation. Situated on the southern shore of the Potomac River 38 miles east of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Pope's Creek is approximately 80 miles downstream from Mount Vernon, which is near Alexandria, Virginia. It is accessible via Virginia Route 3 and Route 204.
Legend holds that, at the age of 26, George Washington’s great-grandfather John Washington washed up on the shores of the Northern Neck after a merchant ship he was on foundered in the Potomac River in 1657. He was taken in by wealthy planter Nathanial Pope. The two became fast friends
and John soon married Pope’s daughter Anne.
George Washington Birthplace National Memorial helps us to better understand the story of George Washington and our country’s early Colonial history. The National Park service offers visitors the opportunity to be immersed in a living Colonial plantation complete with costumed interpreters recreating the sights, sounds, and reason for Washington's love of farming.
During the year there are frequent demonstrations of spinning and weaving, plantation crafts such as wood working, blacksmithing and leatherworking, and the traditional farm activities of plowing, hoeing, planting, harvesting, and ox-driving.
Address:
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
1732 Popes Creek Road
Washington's Birthplace, VA 22443
Telephone:
(804) 224-1732
Hours of Operation:
Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; except Christmas and New Year's Days.
Sign - GEORGE - WASHINGTON's BIRTHPLACE - (WAKEFIELD) George Washington's birthplace is two miles north on Pope's Creek, just off the Potomac River. Originally known as Pope's Creek, the property was renamed Wakefield about 1770 by George Washington's half nephew William Augustine Washington
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Entrance to George Washington Birthplace The obelisk of Vermont marble is one-tenth the size of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
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George Washington Birthplace National Memorial Visitor Center The park visitors Center contains artifacts recovered from the burned-down Washington house, interactive displays, and a 15-minute film depicting Washington family life.
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Popes Creek Popes Creek, a minor tributary to the Virginia side of the Potomac River estuary.
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Popes Creek Historical evidence about Popes Creek estuary suggests that navigation has been limited to shallow-draft vessels since Colonial times.
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Popes Creek During the month of September, rockfish cruise Pope's Creek shallows, hunting baitfish or crabs.
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The King's Tree This tall straight Eastern Red Cedar would have been a perfect timber candidate for the British Navy.
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The Memorial House The "Memorial House" was built in 1930-1931 to honor the memory of George Washington on the occasion of his 200th birthday celebration in 1932.
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The Memorial House A short distance from the early 18th century Washington birth home location is the Memorial House.
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Colonial Garden A teaching garden is maintained by the Westmoreland Master Gardeners and the Westmoreland 4-H Club.
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Sign - George Washington's Birthplace Here, on February 23, 1782, George Washington - farmer, general of the Continental Army, and first president of the United States - was born.
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George Washington’s birth home site
George Washington’s birth home site is marked by an
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George Washington's Birth Spot
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Young Patriot
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Pomegranate Tree
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