Quite a bit of important American history happened in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area and many of these events are linked to historic sites that have been preserved in the region.  George Washington’s boyhood home was across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, and his mother later moved into the city and lived out her life in her house at the corner of Charles and Fauquier Streets.  The house and its furnishings have been meticulously preserved and it is open to the public.  Revolutionary War General Hugh Mercer had his apothecary in Fredericksburg, also preserved and open to the public.  Thomas Jefferson and James Madison met here at a local tavern to initiate the effort that led to the enactment of Virginia’s statute of religious freedom, a law that would inspire the First Amendment to the Constitution.

President James Monroe had his law office in Fredericksburg and served on its city council.  The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is in Fredericksburg, and the library holds 500 volumes of Monroe’s original collection.  Mary Washington College is in Fredericksburg.   Four Major Civil War battles – Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse occurred within 15 miles of the town’s center.  Within an hour’s drive are Washington DC, Richmond, Virginia, James Madison’s plantation (Montpelier), the birthplace of George Washington, Washington’s plantation Mount Vernon, and the birthplace of Robert E. Lee.  Jefferson’s Monticello is two hours away.  Stonewall Jackson’s arm, amputated at Chancellorsville, is buried nearby.