George Washington Birthplace Association
1730 Popes Creek Road
Washington's Birthplace, Virginia 22443-5115
(804) 224-7895
The George Washington Birthplace Association (GWBA) lends support to the George Washington Birthplace National Monument ("the Park"), a 550-acre national park on the site of our first president's birth in the Northern Neck of Virginia. The Association provides assistance to the Park in the form of funding for special needs, interpretive activities, and educational programs. To further these programs, we hope you will consider becoming a member of this prestigious organization for only $35.00 per individual, or $45.00 per family. At this time of reduced emphasis on history in our public schools, historic sites are more important than ever. Your support of the George Washington Birthplace Association is crucial to increasing the level of historical education at the Birthplace.
As a member of the Association, you are also entitled to free admission to George Washington Birthplace National Monument, located in Westmoreland County, Virginia. After your guided tour of the memorial house and other historic buildings, visit our bookstore/gift shop and receive a 10% discount on all purchases. Members also have the privilege to have access to the library located inside the visitor center. To join the Association, make your check payable to "George Washington Birthplace Association" or provide your Mastercard or Visa information, and mail it to the above address. Please include your mailing address, phone number, and email address. We need your email address to send you our newsletter containing upcoming events and other GWBA news, yet another benefit of membership. COMING SOON: We are currently working on creating an online store. We have many books and other interpretive items for sale in the bookstore/gift shop. Check back periodically for updates. In the mean time, if you would like to purchase something you may have seen here, or heard about, contact the bookstore/gift shop for details. ONGOING IN THE BOOKSTORE/GIFT SHOP: Velati's®, that wonderful candy from back in the day, is back in the store, for a limited time only. While supplies last, all boxes are now 50% off!!! FAMILY FRIDAYS AT THE PARK: Friday evenings, beginning May 29, and lasting until September 4, the bookstore/gift shop will be open until sundown. The Park is offering an opportunity for anyone interested to come and walk the property. The road to the beach will be closed to traffic, providing a safe and scenic pathway to enjoy the summer evenings. Other evening activities are being considered. Comments and suggestions for events would be appreciated. UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE PARK: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 5:00-7:00 p.m. There will be a reception for, and a book signing by Robert LLewellyn, the chief photographer of Remarkable Trees of Virginia. If you had your copy signed by co-author Jeff Kirwan last fall, bring it back. If you still haven't purchased one, plenty will be available in our bookstore. (Don't forget the membership discount!!!) Special t-shirts will be available in honor of this event, as well as the 350th Anniversary of the first Washington born in America. Local second-grader Diamond White's award-winning artwork will be featured on the front of the shirt, and an outline of George Washington's "remarkable" family tree will be listed on the back. Saturday, July 4, 2009 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Special activities in conjuction with our sister park, Sulgrave Manor in England, have now been announced. Sulgrave Manor is the ancestral home of the Washington family. Both they and we celebrate 2009 as the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Washington dynasty in the New World with the birth of Lawrence, George Washington's grandfather, in Virginia. Free admission. 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center Plaza: Flag raising by National Park Service Rangers, and tree planting by conservationist and Westmoreland County 3rd District Supervisor Lynn C. Brownley. 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Park Entrance & Monument Area: Remarks by Congressman Rob Wittman, followed by a flag placing ceremony by first generation Americans. 11:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. in the Memorial Area: Ongoing living history crafts and demonstrations including spinning, cooking, blacksmithing, and English Country Dancing performed by the GW Birthplace National Monument 4-H Heritage Club. 11:30 a.m - 2:00 p.m. in the Memorial Area: Horse-drawn wagon rides. 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. at the Washington Family Burial Ground: Special genealogy talks by NPS Ranger Phill Greenwalt as the young George Washington. 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Family Burial Ground: Closing remarks by Park Superintendent Lucy Lawliss, and lighting of lanterns there and at the house site of John Washington, George's great-grandfather. 8:00-10:00 p.m.: Bridges Creek Road and the beach parking lot will be open to allow for viewing of fireworks displayed from both Virginia & Maryland beaches. For more information, call the number above or contact: Vicky Enos-Association Manager gw@crosslink.net Carla Gutridge-Bookstore/Gift Shop Manager gw.birthplace.association@gmail.com George Washington Birthplace National Monument www.nps.gov/gewa
One of the many benefits of membership is the Association's annual historical journal, Popes Creek Chronicles. The journal documents the lifestyle of the Washington family for the four generations who lived at Popes Creek Plantation in Westmoreland County (including George, who was born there). Much of the content is based on Washington family artifacts unearthed at this site, and this provides some unique insight for lovers of all things Washington. You may purchase the journal for $9.95, or receive it free with your membership. **We're sorry, but the journal is temporarily out of stock. We will gladly substitute Popes Creek Plantation-Birthplace of George Washington, a 173-page book containing the history of the plantation, the Washingtons, and the creation of the National Monument here. Retailing at $12.95, it is full of facts and photos of artifacts found on this site.
