**POSTPONED UNTIL 2023**
Headquarters: Fredericksburg , VA
Led by: Dr. Edward G. Lengel
One of the hallmarks of America’s History tours has been an emphasis on the historic roads less travelled. Our Virginia’s Founding Fathers tour will continue this unique approach to history touring. Our tour will highlight the reputations and contributions of several Virginia founding fathers through a look at the homes they built or inherited during the 18th century. It is no secret that our founding fathers have been under scrutiny in recent years. However, the story of their accomplishments, particularly when it came to fomenting a rebellion against Great Britain, winning the War for Independence and creating a new nation still has value for citizens interested in America’s history.
We’ll start the first day of our tour with the penultimate founding father, George Washington. Our first stop will be Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm. This site has seen some major replication work in recent years with the reconstruction of the family farmhouse. It was a Ferry Farm where Washington assumed adult responsibilities at age 11 when his father, Augustine died. Ferry Farm also set the stage for Washington mythology which started with the Parson Weems’ stories. While in the Fredericksburg area, we’ll also visit home of the general’s mother, Mary Ball Washington to understand how she influenced his adolescent development. After lunch we will travel north to the plantation home of a largely forgotten founder, George Mason. Mason was a shrewd businessman, political thinker and slaveholder who was the primary author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. His language was incorporated into the Declaration of Independence by another Virginian, Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. When Washington lived at Mount Vernon, he was good friends with Mason. Gunston Hall is a magnificent Georgian structure near the Potomac River which tells the story of this neglected, but significant founder who truly was essentially important for independence.
On our second day, we’ll travel to Virginia’s tidewater region to visit Washington’s birthplace, now a National Monument Park. While the house where our first president was born no longer stands, the site itself evokes imagery of what it was like to be born into the landed gentry. From Pope’s Creek, Augustine Washington navigated a move upward in social status through his land acquisitions. Next, we’ll go to the truly outstanding H-pattern brick Georgian plantation house of the famous Lee family, Stratford Hall (pictured above.) Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee lived here with first wife and second cousin, Matilda and his second wife, Ann Carter. Harry’s son, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was born here. Ed Lengel has co-authored a soon to be released biography of “Light Horse Harry” Lee, so his fresh insights into the life, accomplishments and disappointments of this great Revolutionary War cavalry leader will make it a truly memorable stop. After lunch, we’ll drive to the uniquely preserved home of another Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, called Menokin. This site will be the most unusual we will visit on this tour. The remains of the Declaration of Independence signer’s plantation house are enclosed in an architecturally designed glass outer skin. The glass enclosure enables the weather beaten structure to withstand the elements and a tour of the house (with hard hats) is a unique experience.
On our third day, we will head south to visit Scotchtown, one of Patrick Henry’s several Virginia homes. This off the beaten track house in Hanover County will offer us a chance to see how Henry combined a zeal for independence along with a successful career as a county lawyer. We’ll finish up our tour of the Virginia founders with a visit to St. John’s Church in Richmond where Mr. Henry set the colonial world on fire with his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775.
If you think we have left out some of your favorite Virginia founding fathers, like Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, please don’t despair. America’s History intends to continue this itinerary in 2023 because these men, too, were “essentially important for independence.”
What’s included: Motor coach transportation, three lunches, beverage and snack breaks, a map and materials package, all admissions and gratuities, and the services of experienced tour guides. Tour participants are responsible for transportation to the headquarters hotel, and securing a room reservation, if necessary. Dinner is on your own. Tour goes out rain or shine. This is a walking and field tour so wear comfortable shoes. Please see our policy page for information about cancellations
Added Benefit: America’s History will provide you with pick up and drop off at Richmond International Airport, if you are flying in for this tour.
Hotel: We have arranged with the headquarters hotel for a group room rate of $109.00 per night plus tax. Please call the Hampton Inn and Suites, 4800 Market Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 at 540-898-5000 and ask to reserve your room under our group name: “America’s History LLC.” You may also book a room using this link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/gkrqu5 This rate will be guaranteed until August 10, 2022, so please make your reservations early. Please call Bruce at 703-785-4373 if you have any problems with your room reservation.
Our Tour Leader: Dr. Edward G. Lengel is chief historian of the National Museum of the Medal of Honor. Previously, he was director and editor in chief of the Papers of George Washington Project and a history professor at the University of Virginia. He also served as chief historian at the White House Historical Association and program director of the National World War II Museum. He is an award-winning author of four books on George Washington including the critically acclaimed General George Washington: A Military Biography. His forthcoming book is a biography of “Light Horse Harry” Lee, co-authored with Glenn Williams. He is a much sought after lecturer and tour guide.
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