There are many tours and historic sites in the Fredericksburg area. Following are the most significant.
Chancellorsville - Burnside was replaced by the braggart Joseph Hooker. In April of 1863 he crossed the Rappahannock up from Frederickburg to get at Lee's flank and rear. General Lee responded by splitting his army and sending Stonewall Jackson on a risky march to get on Hookers right flank. The move was spectacularly successful. Jackson's troops rolled up the Federal right, giving Lee his greatest victory. In Confederate eyes though, the victory at Chancellorsville is always tinged with regret, for as Stonewall Jackson was reconnoitering his position at twilight, he was mortally wounded by his own troops.
Add your eGOpinion
Fredericksburg - Taking over from McClellan after Union failures on the Peninsula and in Maryland, General Ambrose Burnside was under considerable pressure to make a move against the Confederates. He chose a direct assault across the Rappannock at Fredericksburg. The decision was unfortunate. Although the Union troops were able to cross the river on pontoon bridges and battle their way through the streets, on the other side of town they we confronted by a clearing commanded by Confederates on Marye's Heights and in the Sunken Road. It was nearly a massacre as wave after wave of Federals were repulsed
Add your eGOpinion
Spotsylvania Court House - Lead elements of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia reached the junction at Spotsylvania Court House just before the Federals grabbed the vital road south. They quickly entrenched and, in possibly the most desperate fighting of the war, held off the Union army. It was here that the site known as the Bloody Angle came to be. Once again Grant pulled back and tried to go around, eventually ending up in a siege around Petersburg, just south of Richmond.
Add your eGOpinion
The Court House - A Gothic Revival style building designed by James Rewnwick who later became famous as the architect of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York and of the original building for the Smithsonian Institute. Located at Princess Anne St. near George St.
Add your eGOpinion
The Wilderness - The 1864 campaign season once again opened with the Army of the Potomac crossing the Rappahannock. This time the general in charge was Ulysses S. Grant. He met with no greater success than his predecessors as Lee stopped the Union army in the thickets of the Wilderness. Grant though didn't pull back to lick his wounds. In a movement that was to be repeated several times in the coming months, he tried to push his army around Lee's right, closer to Richmond.
Add your eGOpinion
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park - Established to preserve important areas of the four battles that occurred in the area. Start at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center at the Sunken Road.
1013 Lafayette Blvd.
540-373-6122
Add your eGOpinion
Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center - Collections on Fredericksburg and area history. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, Mar-Nov; Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4, rest of year. Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 24, 25, 31. Admission $3. 907
907 Princess Anne St.
540-371-3037
Add your eGOpinion
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop - Display of 18th Century medical and surgical supplies and demonstrations of practices, herb garden. Was the practice of Hugh Mercer, who became a general in the Continental Army. Daily 9-5, Mar-Nov; 10-4 rest of year. Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 24, 25, 31. Admission $3.
Caroline and Amelia St.
540-373-3362
Add your eGOpinion
James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library - Law office of James Monroe 1786-89. Contains personnel effects of both the President and Mrs. Monroe. Open daily 9-5, Mar.-Nov; 10-4 rest of the year. Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec 24-25 and 31. Admission $3.00; ages 6-18 $1.00.
908 Charles St.
540-654-1043
Add your eGOpinion
Kenmore Manor House - Home of Col. Fielding Lewis and his wife Betty Washington Lewis, sister of George Washington. Excellent example of mid-Georgian manor house, filled with period antiques. Mon.-Fri. 10-5, Sun. Noon-5, Mar.-Dec.; Sat. 10-4, Sun. Noon-4, rest of the year. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 24-25 and 31. Admission, including tea and ginger cookies, $5; ages 6-18 $2.50; family rate $12.50.
1201 Washington Ave.
540-373-3381
Add your eGOpinion
Mary Washington House - Home purchased by George Washington for his mother, Mary Washington. House contains many of Mrs. Washington's personal possessions as well as a renowned English garden still containing boxwoods planted by Mrs. Washington. Daily 9-5, Mar.-Nov; 10-4, rest of the year. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 24-25 and 31. Admission $3; ages 6-18 $1.
1200 Charles St.
540-373-1569
Add your eGOpinion
Rising Sun Tavern - Built for Charles Washington, brother of George Washington. Costumed tavern wenches serve complimentary spiced tea and give living-history tours. Daily 9-5, Mar.-Nov.; 10-4, rest of the year. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec. 24-25 and 31. Admission $3; ages 6-18 $1. Phone 540-371-1494.
1304 Caroline St.
540-373-1776
Add your eGOpinion
There are many tours and historic sites in the Fredericksburg area. Following are the most significant.
