Events
The George Washington Foundation hosts dozens of events each year. Click here to see a full list of upcoming events for 2026.
See our list of programming for celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Please note that photography is taken during all Foundation events and may be used for social media, marketing, and promotional purposes.
Families and individuals with special needs are invited to visit Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home, for a sensory-friendly experience. Join us from 10 am to 12 pm on Sunday, May 17—when we will be closed to the general public—to explore the replica Washington House; walk along the Rappahannock River; and learn about the lives of George, his mother Mary, other Washington family members, and the enslaved community who lived here in the eighteenth century.
Twenty-minute guided tours of the Washington House will be offered at 10:10 am, 10:20 am, and 10:30 am. From 11 am to 12 pm, the House will be open for self-paced walkthrough tours, with historic interpreters available to answer questions. Pre-registration is required for guided and walkthrough tours. The guided tours will be capped at 15 tours. Forty-five walkthrough tour tickets will be available.
Touch and smell boxes will be available in the visitor center, which also features the introductory exhibit The Science of History at Ferry Farm, showcasing colonial and Civil War artifacts excavated at Ferry Farm. Visitors can peek into the Archaeology Lab, home to some of the thousands of artifacts found at Ferry Farm.
Need to take a break? A sensory room will be available.
The first 25 people to register will receive a complimentary sensory bag.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to eat while on-site.
Admission
Adults: $13.00
Students: $6.00
Children under 5: free
*Preregistration only (guided tours capped at 15 people each, walkthrough tour capped at 45 total)
Date and Time
Sunday, May 17, 2026
10 AM to 12 noon
Address
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 George Washington Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
If you have questions about this program, email learn@gwffoundation.org or call 540-370-0732.
Join us at Historic Kenmore for a fun-filled morning exploring colors! We will have story time, then go on a guided color scavenger hunt. Children will explore Historic Kenmore’s grounds and garden while looking for colors in their surroundings! After exploring, we will be creating a rainbow inspired craft. Following the program, children and their caregivers are invited to take a tour of the Historic Kenmore’s kitchen.
The Mini Mornings program series introduces young learners (ages 3-6) to our museum spaces. Children and their caregivers participate in a story time, related craft, and activity while exploring Historic Kenmore.
Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Children under 3 are welcome to attend.
DATE & TIME
Thursday, June 4, 2026, 10:15 am – 11:15 am
ADMISSION
Children (under 6) – $6
Adults – FREE
LOCATION
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
If you have questions, please call (540) 370-0732 or email learn@gwffoundation.org.
Shakespeare on the Lawn at Kenmore
Shakespeare on the Lawn at Historic Kenmore
Saturdays and Sundays
June 6, 7, 13, & 14
Rain Dates: June 20 & 21
Grounds open at 5:30 p.m.
Performances begin at 6:30 p.m.
The 23rd annual Shakespeare on the Lawn event returns to Historic Kenmore this June with a reimagined performance of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Presented by Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble and directed by Heather McIntosh, this tragedy is full of ambition, power, and walking the line of fate and free will.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Come early and enjoy your own picnic on the lawn. Soft drinks and water available for purchase on site.
Sponsored by Lewis Insurance.
ADMISSION
Adults: $20
Students: $10
Children under 6: Free
LOCATION
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Email learn@gwffoundation.org or call 540-370-0732 with any questions.
Inclement Weather Ticket Policy
If this event is cancelled due to inclement weather, you may contact The GWF within seven (7) days of the event date to request a refund or a change in date (if applicable to this event). Please contact us at learn@gwffoundation.org or at (540)370-0732 within seven (7) days of the event date to make any of these requests. If no action is taken within seven (7) days of the event date, the full ticket amount will be recognized as a donation to The George Washington Foundation.
Dig up artifacts! Meet real archaeologists! Witness the wonders of the “science of history.” It’s a hands-on opportunity to learn how to grid the site, dig up artifacts, and keep field notebooks. Campers will meet real archaeologists, visit the lab, and practice mending artifacts. Throughout the week, they’ll build a newfound knowledge of the mysteries beneath their feet as they explore the storied landscape of Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home.
Campers get a crash course in the entire archaeological process and discover the importance of archaeology to understanding George Washington’s life and the history of Ferry Farm.
For campers ages 8-12.
COST
$200.00 per camper, plus processing fees.
Advance registration and payment required, as camp space is limited. Registration deadline is 4 p.m., Monday, May 25.
Please note our refund policy regarding camps: 2+ weeks before, 90% refund (10% administration fee). 2 weeks before, 50% refund. 1 week before, 0% refund.
After registering, you should receive a confirmation email from SimpleTix. You will receive further communication from the Education Department at The George Washington Foundation in May as we get closer to the camp season. This will include a camper registration and emergency contact form.
Location:
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 George Washington Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Questions? Email learn@gwffoundation.org
or call 540-370-0732 x1206.
Uncover the past and explore the science of history during Family Archaeology Day at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This interactive educational program is perfect for kids in grades K-5 and their caregivers. Together, you’ll discover what it means to be an archaeologist while learning about the people who lived at Ferry Farm.
During each session, your junior archaeologists will see real artifacts found at Ferry Farm and learn more about what archaeology can teach us. They will then put their new knowledge to the test as they dig for artifacts at our simulated dig site, learning excavation techniques and the importance of careful observation. After the dig, you and your family can step back in time with a family-friendly tour of the Washington House. Following the program, participants are welcome to visit our active dig site and talk to real archaeologists about their findings!
Times:
Session 1: 10:00am – 11:30am
Session 2: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Admission:
$10 per child participant
$5 per adult attendee
All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Advanced registration for all attendees is required, as space is limited.
Location:
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 George Washington Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Questions? Email learn@gwffoundation.org or call 540-370-0732.
A 250th Fourth of July
Be part of America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This family-friendly Americana-themed Independence Day event commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation in a setting rich with Revolutionary history. Join us for a day filled with games, hands-on activities, crafts, living history demonstrations, reenactors, and engaging programs presented by community organizations from across the region. Fabulous Fourth offers a meaningful and memorable way to honor our shared heritage and the enduring spirit of independence.
Celebrate our nation’s 250th along with the area’s historic sites and educational entities. With dozens of things to see and do, guests will be entertained by performances and demonstrations by the Wil Gravatt Band, demonstrations by the Patawomeck Indian Tribe, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, James Monroe Museum, National Park Service, Washington Heritage Museums, Art Cart for Kids, Civil War reenactors, historic food preparers, James Ingram interpreting the lives of enslaved sailors, and many others!
Returning performers include a George Washington reenactor, Enduring Freedom, the 23rd USCT, and the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society.
Also witness a live archaeological excavation, watch living history in action, take a Washington House tour, and grab a bite from food trucks. Kids can enjoy a hands-on dig of dinosaur and other fossils, play colonial games, make crafts, and more.
11:00 am – Inspiring Speeches and Flag Retirement Ceremony
Just $3 per person, ages 3 and up. Purchase tickets on-site, no advance ticket sales.
Free shuttles will run between the Eagles Lodge parking lot on Cool Springs Road and the Ferry Farm and Fourth in Fredericksburg events. Handicap parking only available on-site at Ferry Farm.
Event is rain or shine. No pets, no weapons, no coolers, and no alcohol permitted.
Questions? Email learn@gwffoundation.org or call 540-370-0732.
FREE PARKING
Eagles Lodge Lot
21 Cool Springs Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Event sponsored by Hirschler and Keiter.
American Revolution Camp
This camp teaches children what life was like in the 18th century, when colonists were on the cusp of war. Through immersive hands-on activities, children learn about colonial life, maritime practices, and the challenges of war. Campers will play colonial games, explore historic trades, learn from real historical objects, and even design and test their own model ships. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to walk in the footsteps of George Washington at both museum sites while exploring the lives of Revolutionary soldiers, sailors, and civilians. This camp alternates locations between Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm.
For campers ages 8-12.
COST
$200.00 per camper plus processing fees. Advance ticket purchase required, as program space is limited. Sign-up deadline is 4 p.m., Monday, June 29.
Please note our refund policy regarding camp: 2+ weeks before, 90% refund (10% administration fee). 2 weeks before, 50% refund. 1 week before, 0% refund.
After registering, you should receive a confirmation email from SimpleTix. You will receive further communication from the Education Department at the George Washington Foundation in June as we get closer to the camp season. This will include a camper registration and emergency contact form.
Locations:
This camp alternates location each day between George Washington’s Ferry Farm & Historic Kenmore.
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 George Washington Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Questions? Email learn@gwffoundation.org
or call 540-370-0732 x1206.
The Slave Dwelling Project at Ferry Farm
The Slave Dwelling Project: Voices of the Past is coming to the Fredericksburg region to present a series of living history demonstrations, lectures, and special events in collaboration with Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Mary Washington House, James Monroe Museum, Central Rappahannock Regional Library, City of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Area Museum, Stafford County, and the Moncure Conway House.
On Saturday morning from 10-11, Ferry Farm will host a special presentation by Joseph McGill, Jr. the founder of the Slave Dwelling Project in Charleston, SC. McGill and the Slave Dwelling Project have brought much needed attention to these often-neglected structures that are vitally important to the American built environment. McGill will be at the Ferry Farm Slave Quarter on Saturday morning.
Tickets will be available in advance online or on-site. More details coming soon.
More information on the Slave Dwelling Project.
More information on the weekend’s events in Stafford and Fredericksburg.