The Washington Heritage Museums was grateful to receive funding for educational programming in 2024 from the Community Foundation of the Central Rappahannock River Region. The museums, including the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Mary Washington House, and Rising Sun Tavern are a field trip destination for schools, especially those throughout Planning District 16. This grant helps to fund substantially reduced admission to the museums for school groups during January and February.
The Community Foundation’s grant from the Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Fund generously allows WHM to offer fourth-grade classes within Planning District 16 the opportunity to tour the museums for $1.00 per student, per museum, during the months of January and February. Standard group admission for students is $4.00 per museum, so this grant provides significant savings for schools and parents. Up to two teachers per classroom tour are free and chaperones are admitted for $6.00 per chaperone, per museum.
To take advantage of this outstanding opportunity, school groups are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible, as scheduling is on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling a tour is quick and easy, and school coordinators can begin the process using this quick survey form.
Schools may choose to tour the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Mary Washington House, Rising Sun Tavern, or all three. WHM highly recommends touring all three for the best glimpse into Revolutionary-era Virginia. Each museum explores a different facet of the life of townspeople during that time, including their home life, how they traveled and dined, and how they were cared for medically. These tours help reinforce the lessons taught in the classroom as students prepare for their SOL tests. More information on the educational programming offered by Washington Heritage Museums may be found HERE.
“We are truly grateful for this grant,” said Executive Director Anne Darron, “as it allows Washington Heritage Museums to be a partner in history education. We enjoy welcoming schoolchildren into our immersive classrooms.”
The locally managed nonprofit sees to the preservation of its museums and offers tours, programs, and special events to further their mission of publicly sharing their history and the role Fredericksburg played in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The Washington Heritage Museums include the Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, St. James’ House, and the newly acquired Mary Washington Monument. Support for the museums is funded through admissions, donations, grants and memberships. Washington Heritage Museums does not receive ongoing federal, state, or local government funding. Donors may support the museums HERE.
The mission of the Washington Heritage Museums (WHM) is to preserve, promote, and maintain its 18th-century properties in Fredericksburg, VA and develop dynamic educational resources and programs to engage and inspire the interest of everyone. For more information, contact: Anne Darron, Executive Director, Washington Heritage Museums via phone at 540-373-5630 or email ADarron@WashingtonHeritageMuseums.org
