This year’s tour surrounds two historic properties anchoring the neighborhood.  The Mary Washington House, on the corner of Charles and Lewis Streets, was purchased by George Washington for his mother, Mary Ball Washington, in 1772.  Nearby on Washington Avenue is Kenmore, the Georgian home completed in 1775 for George Washington’s sister, Betty Washington Lewis and her husband Fielding Lewis, a Fredericksburg merchant.  Mary frequently visited her daughter at Kenmore and walked on to Meditation Rock at the Mary Washington Monument site, where she prayed.  Tour goers will be retracing the steps of Mary Washington as they stroll the shaded streets.

*Kenmore, is offering free admission with a tour ticket to its grounds, and the grounds of the Mary Washington House will also be open with a tour ticket.