Memorial Area at George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Colonial Kitchen and Memorial House Museum in the Memorial Area at George Washington Birthplace

NPS / Stephen Girimont

Quick Facts

Location:

1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Amenities

7 listed

Baby Changing Station, Benches/Seating, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Restroom, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible

In the early 1930s, the Wakefield National Memorial Association created all the buildings in the Memorial Area as part of the nation's commemoration of Washington during the bicentennial of his birth. The Association constructed these buildings to be suggestive of a colonial farm complex, and did not construct them based on historical or archeological evidence of buildings that existed here in the 1700s.

General Information

Entrance Routes

• Visitor Center: Path is covered with loose gravel. Upper trail is flat while the lower trail has a steep incline. It is a 300 yard walk.
• Nature Trail: Trail from on the west side is a steep incline and grassy. It is about a half mile walk to the Historic Area.

Parking

 

• Visitor Center (four accessible spaces)
• Picnic Area (one accessible space)

Restrooms

• Memorial Area: One family restroom (not accessible)
• Visitor Center: Mens and womens (both wheelchair accessible with door operating with a push- button). Can be accessed from inside or outside.
• Picnic Area: Mens and womens restrooms and one accessible family restroom with door lever to open (closed in winter).

Water

• Memorial Area: One water fountain located behind the family restroom (not accessible).
• Visitor Center: Water fountain and water filling station inside, which is wheelchair accessible.
• Picnic Area: One fountain that is not wheelchair accessible (closed in winter).

Area Highlights

Memorial House Museum

The Memorial House Museum is only open for scheduled, guided tours.
 

Building X

A gravel outline marks the foundation for Building X.
 

Colonial Revival Garden

• The Colonial Revival Garden is surrounded by a short wooden fence.
• Entrance: On North side, a brick path with shrubs on either side leads to wooden gate with sliding latch. Gravel path leads to wooden gate on south side. Grass leads to the east/west wooden gates.
• View the Colonial Revival Garden photo gallery.

 

Farm Workshop

Constructed in 1932, this building originally served as the park maintenance facility before becoming a craft demonstration shop in the 1970s. The Shop is often used during special events to explain or demonstrate an early 20th century interpretation of colonial trades such as blacksmithing, coopering, cobbling, and wood shingle shaving.
 

• Open during operating hours.
• Entrance: The door on the front has a step. A gravel path leads to the side door.

 

Colonial Kitchen

This building served as the kitchen demonstration area, as well as an office when it was constructed in 1931. Since that time, the kitchen area has remained and the former office space has housed many different exhibits.

Cooking demonstrations are given in the kitchen during special events. The demonstrations highlight historic recipes and cooking techniques.
 

• Open during operating hours.
• Entrance: Wooden door with pull string to unlatch. Push door to open.

 

Spinning and Weaving Shop

The Spinning and Weaving Shop is closed. From the windows, items for spinning and weaving can be seen.

View the Spinning and Weaving Shop photo galleries.
 

Farm Animals

The Memorial Area is home to oxen, Red Devon Milking Cows, Ossabaw Island Hogs, Hog Island Sheep, and a Mule.

View the Farm Animals photo galleries.