Thursday April 10th Exploring Fredericksburg, Virginia

65807   108 miles       54*-73*     Blue skies        Diesel $3.89-4.25

Today's Trolley Tour took us around Fredericksburg which has significant history from its founding in 1728 through the  Civil War.  George Washington, his mother, Mary Washington, James Monroe, Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson all had ties to this village.  Four Civil War battles were fought within 15 miles of the town and the battle of Fredericksburg was fought right in the streets.  The Confederates had high ground advantage and were able to successfully drive the Union army into retreat.

We crossed the Rappahannock River to visit Chatham Manor, a historic home now a national park. The main building was completed in 1771 by William Fitzhugh, friend of George Washington. The 1200 acre plantation included a main house, barns, race track, slave quarters, a dairy and an ice house. During the Civil War, the home was used as military headquarters and a hospital. Today, the home, laundry and kitchen remain. It was interesting to walk the places of famous people.

Back on the road by 3 PM following US 17.  Elevation gets up to 535' with rolling hills, stone walls, vineyards along a windy road.  Tulips in bloom.  Passed the "Last Straw Farm", shopped at the first Safeway we've seen since leaving the Northwest weeks ago and splurged on a Chinese Buffet dinner in Frederick, MD.

The Leaf is still on board

This old home was near the river.  These
layers of stone and brick indicate remodels
due to flooding.

Downtown Fredericksburg

St Georges Episcopal Church interior where were had the chance to listen
to the organist practicing for the next service.

Colonial style home

Many trim and neat homes

Rappahannock River where Union soldiers floated pontoons to carry
troops over the river.

Another example of early architecture 

Colonial apothecary shop

Rising Sun Tavern built in 1760 by Charles Washington, George
Washington's brother, as a residence.  It became a tavern in 1792
and is now operated by Washington Heritage Museums.

More examples of period homes.

We ran out of time to visit this home.

Hard to clearly see here, but this is the Confederate cemetery beyond
the brick wall.

The bus driver is holding up a Civil War photo of the cemetery .  The tree in the photo is the same one we saw
outside the trolley behind the rock wall.

Abraham Lincoln spoke from these steps during his
presidency.

The Town Trolley

Chatham Manor across the Rappahannock River.  This was once
the front of the home since it faced the river.

Once the home's rear, now is the entrance where Sonny is standing.

At one time, a balcony and porch spread across the home's rear.

This leather chair has a mirror under it
so that we could see the hole under the
cushion.  Adult potty chair??

Chatham Manor with the porches during the Civil War
when the home was a hospital.

Volunteers in the rose garden pruning for spring

Sonny walks along the driveway that Washington and Lincoln
also walked.

The Gazebo on the lawn
had this statue inside.  Under
a tree nearby, I found a huge
feather, an osprey, perhaps.

These trees are in Civil War pictures and
have rods inside them to keep them
standing.

View from the back steps of Chatham looking to Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Pontoon bridges used to move troops into Fredericksburg

Example of one pontoon

Looking into the Chatham garden and the front entrance

After Chatham, we took a country road and saw rock walls.

Loved the old rock walls.....

and county roads.

Back into traffic, we saw this 5th wheel rig and wondered
what this door was for??

Chinese buffet offered yummy
seafood.