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JOIN THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE ASSOCIATION
George Washington was born on his father’s Popes Creek tobacco farm in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February 11, 1732 (February 22, New Style). He was the first child of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. When George was 3 ½ years old, Augustine took his family up river to live at Little Hunting Creek (later known as Mount Vernon). After four years, they moved again, this time to Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, Virginia. George would return to the Popes Creek home to live with an older-half brother after the death of their father in 1743. When George’s nephew inherited this home in 1774, he renamed it Wakefield. However, in 1779 the Popes Creek home where Washington was born burned by accident. The Washingtons never again used the area as a home site; most of the land was sold in the early 19th century.
In 1896, the federal government built a granite shaft on what was believed to be the original home site. Later, a Memorial House was built on that spot in 1930 by the Wakefield National Memorial Association. Today, a colonial farm, operated by the National Park Service, re-creates the sights, sounds and smells of 18th century plantation life -a life that influenced the character and development of the young Virginian who would become first president of the United States.
The George Washington Birthplace Association is an outgrowth of the Wakefield National Memorial Association which was organized June 11, 1923 in Washington, D.C. at the home of Mrs. Josephine Wheelwright Rust. Mrs. Rust, a Washington descendant, was elected President. Dr. Richard Washington assisted Mrs. Rust in organizing the group.
The Wakefield National Memorial Association raised the funds to build and furnish the Memorial House and Colonial Kitchen and landscape the surrounding grounds. The Association gave this memorialized area, which they had funded and developed, to the United States Government on May 14, 1932 as a gift for the 200th Birthday of George Washington. George Washington Birthplace National Monument was the first memorialized historic area in the United States. It was placed under the administration, maintenance, and protection of the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
TODAY... This historic association is again doing great things to memorialize our first president by actively supporting the National Park Service in its interpretation of the hallowed grounds of the George Washington Birthplace. We need your help as an American citizen interested in the fostering the veneration of George Washington in perpetuity. Too many of our citizens have forgotten the staggering debt that we owe this man. Too many of our schools fail to properly introduce our young people to George Washington, the ultimate role model.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP helps us support and develop the interpretive programs and educational materials that our citizens need. Your membership entitles you to a 10% discount on any items purchased in our online or Visitor Center store. You'll receive our newsletter on a regular basis so you'll know how your membership funds have been put to good use. You'll also receive our annual historical journal with articles about the Washington family in Virginia during the 17th and 18th century. When you visit the Park, your membership card will entitle you to free admission.
Public-private partnerships such as that between the George Washington Birthplace Park and its friends group have become a way of life. We welcome you to be a part of an exciting educational venture. Please join us.
Individual Membership: $35.00
Family Membership: $45.00
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
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