George Washington’s Ferry Farm

Updated June 11, 2025

George Washington’s Ferry Farm – Tour Stafford Virginia

## George Washington’s Ferry Farm (Fredericksburg, Virginia): what to know before you go

George Washington’s Ferry Farm is a historic site on the north bank of the Rappahannock River, directly across from Fredericksburg, where Washington spent a significant part of his childhood. It’s set up for an easy, self-paced visit: you can walk the grounds, see interpretation tied to ongoing archaeology, and tour a reconstructed Washington family house that opened to the public in 2018.

Quick facts (from your listing + official visitor info):
– Address: 268 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 Stafford
– Alternate site/entrance address used by the operator: 268 George Washington Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 (the operator notes some GPS/maps may not reflect a newer entrance; they direct visitors to the stoplight at Ferry Road & Kings Highway). and Ferry Farm
– Coordinates: 38.296855, -77.4477229
– Type: Tourist attraction
– Rating: 4.5 (as provided)

## Why Ferry Farm is worth your time

Ferry Farm is best understood as a landscape site—less “rooms full of original objects,” more “stand where it happened and see what researchers have learned.” Archaeological work at the property has been central to interpreting where and how the Washington family lived there, and reports of the boyhood home’s remains being found were publicly announced in 2008.

What makes the experience unusually engaging (for a colonial-era site) is that the replica house was designed around archaeological findings and period context, and it’s presented as an interactive teaching space using reproductions rather than roped-off antiques.

## What you’ll do on-site

### Start at the visitor center
Begin at the main visitor facilities to orient yourself, confirm tickets/hours, and pick up whatever materials are offered for the day (maps and self-guided resources are commonly referenced by visitor platforms).

### Walk the grounds with “archaeology eyes”
Because Ferry Farm’s importance is tied to what’s been uncovered, walking the property is a big part of the visit. The site has published reminders that the grounds are closed outside business hours, which is useful if you’re planning golden-hour photography or an early morning run. and Ferry Farm

### Tour the reconstructed Washington house
The reconstruction opened to the public in 2018, built above the original foundations using information from archaeological remains and comparative knowledge of similar Colonial Virginia houses. If accessibility is a concern, the operator states that the Washington house replica at Ferry Farm is accessible. and Ferry Farm

## Hours, admission, and what might be outdated

You’ll see hours and prices listed across tourism guides and guidebooks. For example, one Stafford County tourism listing publishes seasonal hours and low-cost admission pricing. Stafford Frommer’s also publishes hours/pricing guidance for Ferry Farm.

Important: Hours, holiday closures, ticket structures, and “what’s included” can change year to year (and sometimes mid-season). Before you drive out, verify on the operator’s official site (Historic Kenmore/George Washington’s Ferry Farm). and Ferry Farm

## How to get there (and avoid a common navigation glitch)

– If your GPS is finicky: the operator warns that some online maps/GPS may not show the newer entrance and directs visitors to approach via the stoplight at Ferry Road and Kings Highway, using 268 George Washington Way in navigation if needed. and Ferry Farm
– From Fredericksburg: you’re essentially crossing to the Stafford County side of the river (short drive, then you’re on site). Ferry Farm is described as being across the Rappahannock from Fredericksburg.

## Practical visit planning (what people don’t always mention)

### Time budgeting that actually works
– 60–90 minutes: quick loop (visitor center + grounds highlights)
– 2 hours: comfortable visit including the house tour and slower reading of interpretation
– Longer if you’re a history/archaeology person: build in extra time for exhibits and any scheduled programming

(I’m keeping this as planning guidance rather than a claim about official tour length, because tour formats vary by day/season.)

### Accessibility and mobility notes
The site’s operator specifically states that the Washington house replica is accessible. and Ferry Farm For the rest of the property, expect typical historic-site terrain considerations (paths, uneven ground). If you’re traveling with a wheelchair user or someone who tires easily, confirm day-of conditions and routes at the visitor center.

### Inclusivity and historical accuracy (what to keep in mind)
Ferry Farm interprets an 18th-century plantation landscape. That era in Virginia is inseparable from systems of enslavement and coercion. A good visit is one that makes room for the lives and labor of everyone who lived and worked on the land—not only famous names. If you’re visiting with kids or a mixed-interest group, it can help to set expectations upfront: “We’re going to focus on how a place functioned and who made it function,” not just founder mythology.

## What to pair with Ferry Farm nearby

If you’re building a half-day around the visit, the most logical pairing is Historic Kenmore (closely connected organizationally and geographically in the region). The organization describes Kenmore as a Georgian-style home built for Washington’s sister, Betty Washington Lewis, and her husband Fielding Lewis. and Ferry Farm

Internal link opportunities (use if your site has these pages):
– Link to your Fredericksburg itinerary / best things to do in Fredericksburg (context: Ferry Farm sits just across from the city).
– Link to your guide to George Washington historic sites (context: Ferry Farm is one of the core childhood-related places).

## A simple “good visit” game plan

If you want an efficient, high-signal experience:
1. Arrive with the right address loaded (try the operator’s “George Washington Way” address if your GPS gets confused). and Ferry Farm
2. Do the house tour early, while your attention is fresh (it’s the most structured interpretive piece).
3. Use the rest of your time on the grounds to connect the story to the physical landscape—river, orientation, and how a “home farm” functioned in that period.
4. Double-check same-day hours/closures before you leave the parking lot, especially around holidays and shoulder seasons. Stafford

## Visitor details (for your post metadata)

– Post title: George Washington’s Ferry Farm
– Post name: george-washingtons-ferry-farm
– Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Stafford County side of the Rappahannock River)
– Address: 268 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 Stafford
– Coordinates: 38.296855, -77.4477229
– Rating: 4.5
– Location type: Tourist attraction

If you want, paste two RealJourneyTravels internal URLs you know exist (e.g., your Fredericksburg guide + a George Washington sites roundup) and I’ll weave them in as seamless, in-paragraph links without adding any new claims.

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