Amazing piece of colonial history where George Washington's mother lived. This is a must see site…read moreamong many in Fredericksburg.

We stopped by Fredericksburg on our drive. Super cute town. We went by the Mary Washington House…read moreand walked the grounds. A few people were outside and one lady gave us a lot of history on the house and area. I would definitely come back to do a whole tour!

Great historical marker, in its actual setting!…read more Come debate and talk about US history! Great - and accurate in its place at the intersection of William Street - historical resource for all ages, all races, all creeds, all walks of life, all genders, all peoples! An absolute must to understand America in its 'en plein air' scenery. This is where the town of Fredericksburg sold pigs, wheat, rice, white indentured servants and shoes. Since almost all of Fredericksburg was blasted to rubble in the Civil War, this one monument still stands the test of time: not in a dustbin museum showcase, where nobody cares that an item wastes away, but in real life! Erasing history, spells ruin for future posterity. Walk with people who make America, America!! We are our Past. The Rebel review: 5 stars

Sadly another important piece of history not around anymore. Removing historical monuments doesn't…read moretake from our history.would love to know where it went?!

Most unfriendly, unwelcoming staff. A smile would have been nice, but they spent 5 minutes telling…read moreus why we can't go inside for a tour today with a sour face. Thanks Karen. Won't be back

I'm a huge history guy, presidential history, to be exact. This location was part of a week long…read moretour of Virginia, visiting all sorts of historical sites. Overall, I'm glad I experienced "Ferry Farm", and I think any history buff would say the same. I was originally concerned because some reviews were so negative. But it's obvious they've done substantial work since then... Overall, not much to see; that part is true. If you go, you're going to see a replica home based on archeological data. Apparently, there used to be only the foundation discovered by archeologists here, hence the disappointed reviewers. Now, you'll see a house and get to tour it, but it's NOT original. No matter; this experience, in my opinion, is focused on learning about the painstaking work people have put in to save part of Washington's past. You'll learn how lucky we are to even have this location. There is stunning history here, including the fact Union encampments flooded this very site during the battle of Fredericksburg. For what you get, the price point is about right. The tour of a replica home is a tad too long, and I feel you should be able to access the interior of the home with or without a guide. This location is worth your time, but don't be expecting Monticello. Total time spent here: 1hr 15 min. Will be much less if you don't tour the home.

Most of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was buried in a Lexington, Virginia, cemetery that now…read morebears his name, but he was so famous at the time of his death that his amputated left arm was spirited away to its own separate grave. It was just after dark on May 2, 1863. Jackson had just launched a devastating attack against Union forces at Chancellorsville. Returning to his own lines with several staff officers, Jackson, ever the aggressive soldier, decided to conduct reconnaissance in the area. As he and his staff rode through the woods near Confederate lines, a North Carolina regiment, unable to see who was riding up on them, opened fire. Jackson was struck by three bullets, two of them shattering his left arm. The general was evacuated from the area and given medical treatment, but the arm couldn't be saved and was amputated. Pneumonia set in, and on May 10, 1863, the South lost its most effective tacticia. Thinking that the limb of so great a solider was too precious to simply throw on the regular body part trash pile, Jackson's unofficial company chaplain, Reverend Tucker Lacy wrapped the arm in a blanket and took it to his family cemetery. The reverend gave the limb a standard Christian burial and placed a marker above the site. Supposedly Stonewall Jackson's arm was dug up and reburied numerous times in the ensuing years and there is no concrete evidence that it still resides in its original burial space, but the simple gravestone remains.

"Jackson has lost his left arm, but I have lost my right"…read more -General Robert E. Lee Jackson's last words were apparently, "Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees." It seems like a lot of words for a dying man. If, however there is truth in this story, then the resting place of this limb seems fitting. The lone tombstone sits quietly among a small group of trees on the Virginia countryside. The picturesque views were once covered by war field hospitals and now is the resting place of the left arm of one of America's most famous Generals. A little history: Stonewall Jackson's arm was destined to be buried along with other amputated limbs until Jackson's Chaplain, Reverend Lacy, retrieved it from a macabre pile of appendages and eventually buried it on his own plantation, Ellwood Manor. The limb was buried several days before Jackson's death as a way for his staff to pay tribute to the man that they had followed through battle. It's probably the least they could do considering that his own men accidentally shot him. I'm just sayin'. The story of a buried arm is surreal, but a little research makes the story a little more humane. Even if Jackson fought on the wrong side of history, every body (or body part) should be so lucky to be buried in a place so serene. Verdict: Great for Civil War buffs, the curious and people spending a little time in nearby Old Town Fredricksberg. Or Cross it off your Weird Virginia (book) list. Weird tidbits: The arm has been dug up a few times in the past, but has always made it's way back into the ground. It seems that the curious return it to it's resting place after learning that there REALLY is an arm buried in the ground. FYI: The last time I attempted a visit, the grounds were closed contrary to the information found on the website. If in doubt, it's best to call.

The Slaughter Pen is the site of one of the bloodier fights that made up the Battle of…read moreFredericksburg. The Union briefly penetrated Confederate lines, but miscommunication between General Burnside and his subordinate commanders resulted in their failure to exploit the breach. After this defeat, Burnside launched an even more disastrous assault Marye's Heights the next day. How bloody was it? Five Medals of Honor were awarded to men who served here. So suffice to say, the nickname for this fight is apt. The area is primarily private property, who's owner made a deal with Civil War Trust to erect a walking path and signs through the corn farm. While bits and pieces of the overall battlefield remain, this property is unique in that it's the only remaining part of the battle where you can follow much (but not all) of the day's fighting almost from beginning to end. Be sure to park in the designated areas and not wander off the trail. The walk takes maybe 60 minutes, and is guided by a number of interpretive plaques along the path. You can also download an app to guide your tour. You can also visit the Meade Pyramid along Lee's drive, which was the Confederate trench line the Union was trying to reach. Unfortunately an AMTRAK line separates the Slaughter Pen from Lee's Drive, so you can't walk the entire length of the fight. If you enjoy the tour, thank Civil War Trust, who are working to preserve the land. This place is not part of the larger NPS Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/fredericksburg/fredericksburg-history-articles/slaughter-pen-virtual-tour/

Visit this serene farm!…read more During the battle of Fredericksburg, desperate Union soldiers - the Meade leadership fearing a thumping and the death of ranks - tried to break the Confederate lines: not possible. Meade's 'brigade' was chopped to bits in the swamp and railroad embankments. The Confederate troops did not budge. What resulted was the encirclement of Union troops; and a massacre. Bayonets pierced guts. This is the original farm as it was then. It is wooden and there are trails that meander around. There are trails plenty and many signs to guide you through, it was once the stained grounds of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Rebel review: 4

While looking for the Pyramid, keep going to almost the very end of Lee Drive and you'll see the…read morePyramid past the railroad tracks in the distance to your left. And since you're visiting the Pyramid, take your time going down Lee Drive. Many Confederate fighting positions are still visible, including an artillery site and trench works. I found this to be more interesting than the Pyramid itself. While you can see the Pyramid from the road you can't get close to it, since it's on the other side of an active Amtrak line. About the battle: While the Union's river crossing on Day 1 and heroic attack on the Sunken Road at Marye's Heights on Day 3 get plenty of attention, Day 2 is often overlooked. In fact Meade's attack against the southern Confederate flank on Day 2 almost broke through their lines, but failed mostly because of poor communication between Union commanders. The "pyramid" stands near the point of the Union's greatest penetration. The "Slaughter Pen" (which has its own Yelp entry) is on the opposite side of the wood line. Unfortunately the Confederate and Union positions are separated by the railroad, so you can't walk the entire length of the battlefield. Funny thing about the Pyramid - it was actually built by southerners. The idea for a monument was pitched by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society to Virginia railroad execs who sought to memorialize the battle in a location visible to train travelers. The pyramid shape is based on the monument to the Unknown Confederate dead in Richmond.

A very cool hidden gem in Fredericksburg - there is a path that you can walk down but I don't think…read moreyou're supposed to. There is a train track in between the path and the pyramid. You can pull off of the road and take pictures with a zoomed lens. It was a bit challenging to find - my Apple Maps took me to the wrong place (completely different battlefield!) but android seemed to have it down just fine. Just make sure you're going to the location near Lee Dr!

This site is near Chancellorsville Battlefield, which has a visitor center and more infrastructure…read more The wildnerness battlefield has some signage and a trail, but I found the trail in dubious condition and a lot of the signage worn down. And while it may have been wilderness at the time, it now adjoins the local residential areas so you don't really get that feeling. Nature is always good, but this is not the most impressive site as these places go.

One of the greatest things about coming to the Fredericksburg area for me (besides spending time…read morewith my daughter of course) is to see and learn about the Civil War battles that took place here. In learning about these battles I've learned much about decision making and how some of these Civil War generals used their intelligence and experience to lead them to both brilliant and detrimental decisions. If you have the chance to listen to the presentations and do the walking tours I recommend them. You'll learn more than just a bit of military history. The Wilderness Battlefield was a battle I knew nothing about. The day I come to this site they were doing presentations and a short walking tour. This relatively unknown, but hugely important battle, was one which led President Lincoln to KNOW he had chosen the right man to lead his Armies. Lincoln knew that he would likely lose the Presidency if he could not show the war could be won and he (and General Lee) knew that if the Union was fighting and moving SOUTH (especially towards Richmond) then he would win the war. After two days of back and forth fighting at The Wilderness Battlefield, General Grant slipped away under cover of darkeness and dispatched a messenger to President Lincoln. When he arrived the message from Grant simply said "There's no turning back." Lincoln finally had a general who understood what it was going to take to win this war. The presentation and walking tour of this battle was really phenomenal and I took a lot back with me on this one. Really glad I stopped by when I did.

Recently visited the U.S. Post Office location in downtown Culpeper, VA…read more Mailed several pre-stamped cards - and picked up a book of stamps. Service was good and friendly. Paid with Apple Pay. #UnitedStatesPostOffice

Going to the post office has always been on my list of most dreaded things to do... this post…read moreoffice is AMAZING... the three guys behind the counter are SO friendly and very HELPFUL! They make a dreaded task, not so terrible. Thank you!