Once I took 3 days to drive from Westminster, MD to Cape Hatteras, NC, a 380 mile trip. Taking the less traveled roads, I explored the journey. Since that first wandering, I have acquired the tendency to take a little longer than most to get from point A to point B. The fact that I will not win a trophy for the fastest time from here to there is fine by me. I get to seek and find.
On the return trip from Westmoreland State Park last weekend, I found an unexpected treasure; the birthplace of George Washington. Yep, Old George was born right here in Virginia. Sure I knew that, but growing up on the east coast, I think we sometimes take things like this for granted. The birth of not only George Washington, but the birth of our country took place right here where we work, live and play.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is a little piece of history hidden off the main road on Pope’s Creek in tidewater Virginia. Sure George only lived there until he was three years old before moving to Fredricksburg, VA and the house is a replica, but the National Park service has done a pretty good job of visually presenting what life was like back in the early 1700s. John Washington arrived in Westmoreland County in 1657. Generations of Washingtons lived on this property. Members of five generations of the Washington family, including George Washington’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are buried on the property.
The living colonial farm features heritage livestock, like oxen and horses, tobacco fields and drying barns, and a working blacksmith shop. The Visitor Center includes exhibits, film, bookstore, and some cool artifacts unearthed on the site. Washington Family Burial Ground is interesting with several generations of the first family buried there. The Park even has a small river beach for picnics and fishing.
Our stop at George Washington Birthplace National Monument was not part of the original plan for the weekend, but there is always time for quick turn off and wandering around, especially when you can walk the same grounds George Washington played as a kid.
Travel the back roads, keep your eyes open and when you see that interesting sign, take the time to investigate, you never know what you might find.