George Washington Birthplace: A Visitor’s Guide

The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located along the banks of the Potomac River in Westmoreland County, Virginia. The park offers a unique look into the early life of America’s first president, with a glimpse into colonial life and the land where Washington’s story began. We visited early on a sunny but chilly mid-winter morning.

Visiting the George Washington Birthplace National Monument

There were a few cars in the parking lot, but for the most part, it was empty. When my wife and I walked in, the visitor center had only been open for a moment. After speaking to a ranger, we decided to take the self-guided tour, which consists of 12 stops.

Birthplace Monument

The first stop we passed on the way was the Birthplace Monument. The obelisk marks the approximate location where George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. The monument was placed there in 1896, 11 years after the completion of the Washington Monument in D.C. It stands 50 feet tall and is a one-tenth-in-size replica of the Washington D.C. Washington Monument.

Pope Creek Trail

Stop two is the Pope Creek Trail, which starts just behind the Visitor Center. Popes Creek is a tidal tributary of the Potomac River. Washington was born along the cliffs of the waterway. The short interpretive trail has wayside exhibits sharing stories of the Washington Family, European Settlement, Indigenous Inhabitants, and Enslaved African People.

Memorial Area

The tour’s three through eight stops are all in the Memorial Area, a short walk from the parking lot and the Visitor Centers.

We came to the Memorial House quickly. The original house Washington was born in was lost to fire in the 18th century. The reconstructed Memorial House, built in 1931 to resemble a home during that era, gives an idea of what Washington’s early home may have looked like.

The actual location of Washington’s boyhood home is right next to the memorial house. You can trace the foundation that’s outlined in the ground by crushed oyster shells.

The Memorial House, furnished with period-appropriate décor, provides a tangible connection to the colonial era. Nearby, the Kitchen House and other reconstructed buildings showcase the daily lives of those who lived and worked on the plantation.

Living History Farm

Walking around the area, we got a real sense of what that farm was like. The park service maintains a living history farm, which was one of our favorite parts of the visit. The livestock includes horses, cows, pigs, and more. During the summer, tobacco and other crops are grown. We did not get to see those because we visited in the dead of winter.

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, [and] its breeds of useful animals…”

– George Washington, 1794

“Hiiiiii cows! I hope you are having a good morning!” That was an exact quote from my wife to the cows. After walking around the memorial some more and saying hello to all the animals, we headed back to the car to drive to another highlight of the monument.

Washington Family Burial Grounds

One of the most significant landmarks in the park is the Washington Family Burial Ground. The site offers a solemn reminder of the Washington family’s deep roots in Virginia. Thirty-two members of George Washington’s family are laid to rest here including his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Near the burial grounds is George Washington’s great-grandfather John Washington’s homesite. John Washington settled there in 1664.

Riverside Beauty

The Potomac River plays a vital role in the site’s charm. The Beach Area is stop 11 along the tour. You can relax along the shoreline, enjoy a scenic picnic, or watch for ospreys and bald eagles soaring overhead. Canoeing and kayaking along the Potomac provide a different perspective of the land Washington once called home.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. It is more than just a historical site— it’s an unforgettable experience following in the young footprints of our nation’s first president. We look forward to visiting again in the summer!