Historic Dumfries Virginia and the Weems-Botts Museum

Description

Historic Dumphries Virginia seeks to preserve and share the history of Dumfries, Virginia. To this end, the organization operates the Weems-Botts Museum. This museum preserves the at least 250-year-old home of Parson Weems, the author who popularized a number of legends about George Washington, including the cherry tree tale. The home later served as the residence of Benjamin Botts, who successfully defended Aaron Burr during his treason trial.

The museum offers period rooms and research opportunities. A fee is required in order to pursue research.

George Washington's Office Museum [VA]

Description

George Washington's Office Museum offers access to the temporary military office used by George Washington (1732-1799) between September 1755 and December 1756, during the construction of Fort Loudoun. The museum displays Washington's surveying tools, artifacts which he used prior to his involvement in actively forming the U.S. when he felt that he would pursue surveying as his career.

The museum offers exhibits.

Morris-Jumel Mansion [NY]

Description

The 1765 Palladian-style Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest residence in Manhattan. It served as the headquarters of George Washington between September and October 1776. Given its location on high ground, the residence was attractive to military commanders; and it was used by a number of Englishmen and Hessians for that reason. After the Revolutionary War, the home became an inn; and the interior was decorated in the French Imperial style in the early 19th-century. John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Alexander Hamilton all dined at the site in 1790.

The mansion offers period rooms, self-guided tours, one-hour guided group tours of the home, one hour guided group tours of the neighborhood, art workshops, lectures, an annual classical music series, and 90-minute educational programs which meet state educational standards. Reservations are required for group tours, and 10 or more visitors must be present. The website offers a teacher's guide.

Heyward-Washington House [SC]

Description

The Heyward-Washington House was built in 1772 by rice planter Daniel Heyward for his son Thomas Heyward, Junior (1746-1809), Revolutionary War soldier and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The residence was rented to George Washington for one week during 1791. Other structures on site include an 18th-century well, a 1740s kitchen building, and a carriage house. Collection highlights include the Holmes Bookcase, considered the finest example of furniture made in the U.S.

The site offers period rooms; gardens with heirloom plants; educational programs; outreach programs; and student tours with a general, Revolutionary War, African American history, or architectural focus.

Webb Deane Stevens Museum [CT]

Description

The Webb Deane Stevens Museum is located in the heart of Connecticut's largest historic district, the town of Old Weathersfield. The museum consists of four historic homes, all of which were built prior to the Revolutionary War and three of which are National Historic Landmarks. The museum is also home to the museum school, which provides children from preschool to college-age with workshops and educational activities.

The museum offers tours, the museum school, and occasional special events including interpretive events and speakers. The website offers visitor information, a history of the homes, and a calendar of events.

Derby Historical Society [CT]

Description

The Derby Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the histories of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton, Connecticut. To this end, the society operates the General David Humphreys House. David Humphreys (1752-1818) was a personal friend of George Washington; and became the first U.S. ambassador, assigned to Portugal. The house has been furnished in the style of mid 18th century.

The society offers walking tours and an educational role-playing program designed for fifth graders, the Day in 1972 Program.

Fraunces Tavern Museum [NY]

Description

The Fraunces Tavern Museum commemorates the historical use of the Fraunces tavern, originally built as a residence in 1719. After being remade into a tavern in 1762, the structure served as the early Departments of War, the Treasury, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the site of George Washington's 1783 farewell address to the officers of the Continental Army. The museum currently includes the original tavern and four 19th-century buildings. Exhibits include Revolutionary War topics; an 18th-century public dining room, site of Washington's farewell address; and the Clinton Room, named after New York's first governor of American citizenship, George Clinton. Collection highlights include one of George Washington's false teeth.

The museum offers period rooms, exhibits, educational programs on early American taverns and the Revolutionary War, and lectures.

Fort Ligonier [PA]

Description

Fort Ligonier is an on-site reconstruction of an early U.S. fort, which stood between 1758 and 1766. The fort withstood the years of the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and Pontiac's War (instigated 1763). In addition to the fort itself and numerous outlying structures, the site displays reconstructions of mid-1700s "Conestoga" wagons. No Conestoga wagons survive to this day. The replica wagons are based on historical accounts and archaeological evidence. A museum serves as the entry point to the fort. Collection highlights include pistols given to George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette, 13 original French and Indian War era paintings, and a period room with 18th and early 19th-century furnishings.

The fort offers exhibits, an 8-minute introductory video, a gallery, a period room, living history activities, reenactments, guided tours, and a picnic area. Reservations are required for tours.

Washington Monument State Park [MD]

Description

The 108-acre Washington Monument State Park contains the first monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington. The stone tower's construction began July 4, 1827; and involved roughly 500 inhabitants of Boonsboro, Maryland. The visitor center presents information on the natural and human history of the area, and the park regularly sponsors Civil War living history events.

The park offers exhibits and special events.

White House Farm [WV]

Description

The White House Farm, located in Summit County, WV, is notable both for its beautiful and scenic location as well as its impressive history. George Washington surveyed the farm at age 20 in 1751, and recently the farm has been put on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the faithfully restored farm, visitors can enjoy a variety of events throughout the year.

The site offers basic visitor and historical information about the White House Farm.