Washington, Mary, House
Why it's listed
Mary Washington House, at 1200 Charles Street in Fredericksburg, is a long frame dwelling of one-and-one-half and two stories, set on a low brick and stone basement. Its southern section dates from the mid-eighteenth century, and further portions were added later in that century and early in the next. The exterior has beaded weatherboards, gable and gambrel roofs, and louvered blinds. Inside, Federal-style trim includes a paneled drawing room with an elaborate chimney piece. The property matters chiefly for its association with George Washington's mother. Betty and Fielding Lewis sold it to Michael Robinson in 1761, and in 1772 Washington bought it for his mother, who had lived at Ferry Farm since 1739. She died here in August 1789, and Washington last saw her in the house. Visitors have treated it as a shrine ever since. The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities acquired it in 1890, and architect Philip Stern directed a careful restoration in 1929-30.
Significance in brief: It was the last home of George Washington's mother, Mary Washington, who lived there from 1772 until her death in August 1789. Washington bought it for her, and it was here that he last saw her. It has been regarded as a historic shrine since her residence, and it was carefully restored in 1929-30.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75002111, listed June 5, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Fredericksburg |
| Listed | June 5, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002111 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architect / builder | Philip Stern (restoration architect, 1929-1930) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and altered, on its original site; it is a museum and is owned by a preservation association. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 38.30493, -77.46331 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75002111.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1906415
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.