Military History
Military history runs deep in Stafford's roots. From the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, to the modern day Marine Corps at Quantico, military buffs will find many layers of history in Stafford. White Oak Civil War Museum houses one of the largest known collections of Civil War artifacts in the world - all recovered in Stafford County and the surrounding area. Coming in the fall of 2006, people from all over the world will be able to experience a little bit of Marine Corps life at the National Museum of the Marine Corps & Heritage Center at Quantico. Visit one of our military history sites below.
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Aquia Episcopal Church
Aquia Church is one of the oldest colonial churches still actively used in
America. Built between 1751 and 1757, Aquia is noted for its three-tiered pulpit and Aquia stone trim. Visitors travel from around the world to study its example of the Lord's Prayer as hand-painted in calligraphy on wood behind the altar.
Hours: Open daily, interior tours by appointment. 8am-5am Mon-Fri
Admission: Donations are welcome.
(540) 659-4007
www.aquiachurch.com/
2938 Jefferson Davis Hwy,
Stafford,
22554
(Exit 143A - Aquia )
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Aquia Landing Park
In the mid 1800s, Aquia Landing was the terminus of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P). From here, passengers took steamboats up the Potomac River to Washington, DC. During the Civil War, it was the site of the first naval engagement, and a very important logistical access point, controlled largely by the Union troops. When the Union arrived in Stafford, this pivotal transportation point also became a destination for many enslaved people who sought refuge behind Union lines and were transported from this site to points north or abroad. Noted freedom-seekers who passed through this point include William & Ellen Craft, Henry "Box" Brown, and John Washington. A Civil War Trail marker is located in the park. For more history about the site, visit www.tourstaffordva.com/Aquia%20Landing.cfm, or go to www.TrailtoFreedom.com.
Today, open year-round, this historic site and popular park offers a riverside beach, sunbathing, fishing, picnicking, volleyball, food concessions and swimming (NO lifeguard on duty). Two large shelters are available to rent for special events (540-658-5019 to reserve). Alcohol is not permitted. Visit www.StaffordParks.com for park hours, amenities, and reservations.
Hours: mid-Mar to 31 Oct, 8am-8pm. 31 Oct to mid-Mar, 8am-5:30pm.
(540) 658-4871
www.staffordparks.com
2846 Brooke Road,
Stafford,
22554
(Exit 140 - Stafford Courthouse )
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At George Washington's Ferry Farm...
Archaeologists recently discovered the foundation of George Washington's Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm. George Washington spent much of his childhood here on Ferry Farm, a plantation now teeming with wildlife. The rich history of Ferry Farm can be experienced through dynamic educational programs designed by the Ferry Farm staff, detailing archaelogical excavations from 1710-1725 during colonial times, as well as artifacts unearthed from as long ago as 10,000 years!
Hours: Mar-Oct, 10am-5pm. Nov-Dec, 10am-4pm. Closed holidays.
Admission: Adults $5, Students (6-17) $3, under 6 free.
(540) 370-0732
www.ferryfarm.org
268 Kings Highway,
Falmouth (Fredericksburg),
22405
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Chatham
Chatham is the only house in America to be visited by both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In the 1700s it was owned by William Fitzhugh, a wealthy planter and politician. Fitzhugh employed 100 slaves some of whom revolted in 1805, when an overseer tried to get them to go back to work after the Christmas holiday. Three men died in the incident. Chatham is best-known for its role in the Civil War when it served the Union army as both a headquarters and hospital. Clara Barton and Walt Whitman were both at the house during the war. Chatham is the current National Park Service headquarters for the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Hours: 9am - 4:30pm, daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year
Admission: Free.
(540) 371-0802
www.nps.gov/frsp/chatham.htm
120 Chatham Lane,
Falmouth (Fredericksburg),
22405
(Exit 133A - Falmouth )
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Cornstalks & Beanpoles Bridge
In April 1862, Union military railroad engineer Herman Haupt was given orders to repair the destroyed railroad from Aquia Landing to Falmouth, Virginia. He had to bridge the Potomac Creek, four hundred feet long and eighty feet high, and had to have it up and operating in two weeks. Consisting of almost two million feet of lumber, Lincoln marveled at the site of it, stating "...there is nothing in it but beanpoles and cornstalks." The bridge was destroyed and rebuilt several times. See the stone supports that remain at this Civil War Trails site.
Leeland Road,
Falmouth (Fredericksburg),
22405
(Exit 133A - Falmouth )
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Hartwood Presbyterian Church (Historic)
This red brick church, built in 1858, replaced a small wooden chapel where the congregation met since 1825. The building was used by both the North and South during the Civil War; as a result, there was virtual destruction of the wooden interior of this fairly new building. After the war, the interior was rebuilt. Today it is included on the Virginia Landmarks Register as well as the National Register of Historic Places.
Hours: M-W 9am-3pm; T-Th 12pm-3pm
(540) 752-4671
hartwoodchurch@verizon.net
www.hartwoodpresbyterian.com/history.html
50 Hartwood Church Rd.,
Fredericksburg,
22406
(Exit 133B - (Warrenton) Hartwood )
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Moncure Conway House
Moncure Daniel Conway was a radical abolitionist from the South who had been exiled even by his closest kin, one of the leading and prominent aristocratic families of old Virginia. In 1862, he led a large group of his former family slaves to Yellow Springs, Ohio, to freedom, safety and resettlement. Today, the Conway House is a Virginia State Landmark, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been nominated as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.
Hours: Private residence. Open only for special events.
305 King Street,
Falmouth,
22405
(Exit 133A - Falmouth )
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National Museum of the Marine Corps
We propose to tell, and preserve forever, this uniquely American story of contribution and sacrifice, valor and victory. We will tell it through the eyes of Marines, whose story it is to tell. We will tell it with a clarity and strength befitting the world's premier fighting force, an institution that predates the founding of the Republic. We will tell it through the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Visit our museum for its amazing galleries, breath-taking architecture, and incredible museum shop for military gifts and memorabilia.
Hours: 9am-5pm daily; Closed Christmas
(877) 635-1775
email: info@marineheritage.org
www.usmcmuseum.org
18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy,
Triangle / Quantico,
22173
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The Globe & Laurel Restaurant
The Globe & Laurel is dedicated to the traditions of our Corps of Marines, and honors all men and women who wear a uniform or badge in service to this great country. Marines and law enforcement officers - past and present - meet, dine and celebrate special occasions here. The Globe & Laurel is the ideal location for a military reunion, Marine Corps ball, or special function. Full of military and law enforcement memorabilia, the atmosphere is much like a museum, serving proud history alongside fine cuisine. Very nice pub atmosphere, located only two miles south of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and 1/2 mile from Quantico's back gate.
Banquet Rooms: 2 rooms, total capacity - 40 persons.
(703) 221-5763
majorspooner@gmail.com
www.theglobeandlaurel.com
3987 Jefferson Davis Hwy.,
Stafford,
22554
(Exit 148 - Quantico Area )
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White Oak Civil War Museum
Over 120,000 Civil War soldiers camped in Stafford County in the winter of 1862-1863 - that is more than today's population. White Oak Civil War Museum honors the lives lost during the Civil War. It displays one of the world's most extensive collection of Civil War artifacts, most of which were found in Stafford County and the Fredericksburg Area. The museum is located in an historic building which served as a one-room school until the 1960s.
Hours: Open 10:00-500, Wed-Sun
Admission: Adult $4. Teens and Senior Citizens $2. Ages 7-12, $1. Under 7, Free.
(540) 371-4234
www.whiteoakmuseum.com
985 White Oak Road,
Falmouth,
22405
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White Oak Primitive Baptist Church
This church, organized in 1789, was first known as White Oak Church of Christ but changed its name in the 1830s in opposition to Baptists straying from original doctrines. Many early black members had been slaves at Chatham plantation. The church was used as a hospital during the Civil War. It is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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