Washington, George, Boyhood Home Site
Also known as: Ferry Farm; 44st174
Why it's listed
Ferry Farm is a 68.8-acre archaeological site on the east bank of the Rappahannock River, directly across from Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Washington family occupied the plantation for more than thirty-three years, and George Washington spent his boyhood there. Excavations have uncovered the cellar of the Strother-Washington House, a frame dwelling that, according to later archival research, burned on Christmas Eve, 1740. Other contributing features include a second 18th-century domestic structure, service yards, the area around an icehouse pit, a ferry road, the site of a small ferry house and two ferry landing sites. The landings were also used for Union pontoon bridges in 1862, 1863 and 1864. Much of the site remains uninvestigated, and the property is now a private historical and archaeological park. Its recognition rests on the archaeological evidence of the Washington household and on its link to Washington's early life.
Significance in brief: The site holds archaeological remains of the Washington domestic complex, including the cellar of the Strother-Washington House that burned in 1740, along with service yards, ferry landing sites and a ferry road. It was the boyhood home of George Washington. Features linked to the Civil War, including Union pontoon bridge crossings, add to its importance.
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 00000259, listed February 16, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 237 King's Highway, Fredericksburg |
|---|---|
| County | Stafford County |
| Listed | February 16, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000259 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Exploration/Settlement, Other |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 16, 2000 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by a private association and operated as a historical and archaeological park and museum; the Colbert House burned in 1994, leaving its concrete cellar intact. |
| Acreage | 68.8 |
| Coordinates | 38.29430, -77.44923 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
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 00000259.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.