Secure Mary Washington's Legacy

Thanks to a generous matching grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, all donations up to a combined $100,000 are currently being matched dollar for dollar! Making your gift now will double its impact!

Mary Washington was the remarkable mother who shaped the character of George Washington. Relatable to every generation, she braved hardship throughout her life. Orphaned at a tender age, she was widowed by thirty-five with five young children, and faced breast cancer in her elder years.

Though customary for her time, she did not remarry following the death of her husband Augustine when their first-born, George, was merely eleven. She continued to manage the family lands, protecting her children’s inheritance. Despite hardships, Mary instilled strong morals and values in each of her children. George Washington often credited his mother for his uncompromising character.

In early 2023, the City of Fredericksburg transferred the Mary Washington Monument property to Washington Heritage Museums. You are invited to join WHM in preserving Mary Washington’s legacy for future generations.

Mary Washington Monument and Meditation Rock join the Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, and St. James’ House as sites under Washington Heritage Museums’ stewardship. We hope you will join with WHM as we preserve and revitalize the Monument property to ensure its vitality and relevance for years to come.

The site will remain open as we fundraise for and complete improvements to the property. If you have not yet visited, please do! The Monument grounds are open from dawn to dusk at 1500 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg.

Thank you for your generosity and help in unlocking the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation matching grant opportunity!

Questions? Please call 540-373-5630 from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday.

Prefer to donate by check? Donations by check will also be matched. Please make checks payable to: Washington Heritage Museums, 1300 Charles St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Please call Anne Darron, Executive Director, if you prefer to give a gift of appreciated stock or via a required minimum distribution, or if you would like to inform WHM of your intention to support our work through your estate planning.