Building X

One of the greatest mysteries at George Washington Birthplace National Monument involves the "Building X" foundation.

• A gravel outlined foundation approximately 25 feet long by 16 feet wide.

Building Y

On December 2, 2024, National Park Service archeologists and their partners began excavating a Colonial-era building located in the Memorial Area of the park. The excavation site will be open to the public through the end of December, weather dependent, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to see the archeological remains of what is known as Building Y. 

• A 12 feet wide brick foundation uncovered from the ground; the brick foundation stretches forward 12 feet straight while one part has a square shape. The square section reaches 50 inches down.

Colonial Revival Kitchen

Learn about the history of a colonial-era kitchen and the tools they would have used.

Farm Workshop at the Birthplace

Learn about the Farm Workshop that resides within the Memorial Area of George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

• A white barn sitting next to several trees with a white gravel path leading up to the entrance. Split rail fencing on both sides of the barn.

History - The Land That Shaped a Legacy

John Washington House Site

The first Washington to arrive in the New World, John Washington, was the great-grandfather of the first president of the United States. Learn about his history and about the land where he once lived with his family.

Memorial Area at George Washington Birthplace National Monument

In the early 1930s, the Wakefield National Memorial Association created all the buildings in the Historic 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.

• A large house surrounded by trees and a large plot of land.

Monuments — Memory in Stone and Story

Mystery — The Search for the Birthplace

Popes Creek

Discover how Native Americans and the Washingtons adapted to the area around Popes Creek.

Potomac River Beach

Learn about how the Potomac River Beach was a vital part of the land and how true economic prosperity of Washington's land depended on this link to the world.

• A beach front overlooking the Potomac River.

The Birthplace Monument

Built to commemorate the birthplace of First President George Washington, the monument was placed in 1896 by the U.S. War Department at the believed location of his birthhouse. It was moved to its current location at the entrance to the park in 1931.

• White obelisk, 55 feet tall, and 1/10th the size of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Located at the entrance to George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

The Colonial Revival Garden

The Wakefield National Memorial Association and the National Park Service had different ideas about how the memorial garden should be created at George Washington's birthplace. In the end, the groups worked together to form a garden that is one of the most visited locations in the park.

• A garden, divided into four square plots, filled with boxwood plants, and surrounded by flowers and herbs along the outside of the enclosure.

The Log House

The Wakefield National Memorial Association planned for the Log House to be a place for refreshments and overnight accommodations. Unfortunately, the group did not have as much success as hoped for and the Log House was closed. Today, the Log House is used as a meeting and conference space.

• The Log House is located near the edge of the shore, a view of Popes Creek, with a trail leading down that connects to the Nature Trail.

The Memorial House Museum

Learn about the decade-long effort to build a Memorial House to honor George Washington at his birthplace.

• A large, brick home standing about 30 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 30 feet long standing on a mostly flat area of ground with a gentle slope leading towards Popes Creek.

The People Behind the Place: Stories from the Memorial House Museum

Let’s meet four individuals who helped bring this place to life. As you enter the Memorial House Exhibit, you will see four figures standing in each corner of the room. This audio guide will introduce you to each figure, going in a clockwise direction around the room.

The Rockefeller Barn

Industrialist and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was a major benefactor in the creation of George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Not only did he donate almost half the land of the current park boundary, but he also supplied three of his retired Morgan horses to the park and established a precedent that has lasted until today.

• A U-shaped white barn surrounded by split rail fencing near the edge of the Memorial Area.

The Washington Family Burial Ground

The Washington Family Burial Ground is the final resting place of multiple generations of the Washington family. George Washington's father, grandparents, and great-grandparents, among others, are buried in this small family cemetery.

• A tree covered path leads up to a brick exterior square wall. Inside four tombs can be found. On either side of the brick exterior wall are rolling farm fields. Behind the burial ground is a forested and marsh area.

Visitor Center

• Visitor Center
• The Visitor Center is open Wednesday - Sunday from 9:30 - 4:00. On Mondays and Tuesdays, there are no park staff to assist visitors.

• Birding at the Birthplace
• Discover the different species of birds that have called the birthplace home.

• Attend a George Washington Birthplace Ranger Program
• Join a park ranger at the visitor center for a short half mile walking tour to explore the stories of this land from Colonial to Colonial Revival.

• Fishing at the Birthplace
• George Washington Birthplace National Monument allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.

• Visiting with Pets
• Discover where you can go with your pet on a visit to George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

• Picnicking at the Birthplace
• Spending the day at the park? Bring a lunch and enjoy the scenery of the Picnic Area. 

• Explore by bicycle from Westmoreland State Park
• With Westmoreland State Park as a base, ride a loop connected with the Northern Neck Heritage Trail to explore Stratford Hall, the birthplace of George Washington, Colonial Beach, wineries, historic sites and the Potomac River shoreline. A map and more information is available from the Northern Neck Tourism Commission at www.northernneck.org.

• Bicycle the Northern Neck Heritage Trail
• Bicycling between George Washington Birthplace National Monument/Westmoreland State Park and Reedville, Virginia.

• Hiking the Dancing Marsh Loop Trail
• Enjoy a walk along the Dancing Marsh Loop Trail at George Washington Birthplace National Monument and experience different habitats that are home to different plants and animals.

• Hiking the Nature Trail
• Enjoy a walk along the nature trail at George Washington Birthplace National Monument and experience different habitats that are home to different plants and animals.

Landmark Stories

Welcome to George Washington Birthplace National Monument—where history meets memory. You're on land that once cradled a national icon’s beginnings. The original house is gone, and only traces of Washington’s time remain. What stands today are memorials honoring his family and legacy. This audio tour will guide you through key landmarks, revealing how Americans have remembered Washington—and how memory shapes the history preserved in this landscape.

The People Behind the Place: Stories from the Memorial House Museum

Let’s meet four individuals who helped bring this place to life. As you enter the Memorial House Exhibit, you will see four figures standing in each corner of the room. This audio guide will introduce you to each figure, going in a clockwise direction around the room.

Walk with a Ranger: The Birthplace Beneath Your Feet

Step into the story of George Washington’s beginnings with this interpretive audio tour, led by the voice of a National Park Service ranger. Explore the history, mystery, and monuments of the place Washington once called “the ancient mansion seat.” Whether you're here for reflection or discovery, your ranger guide is right in your ear, every step of the way! At each location, there is a lantern that marks the stop.