Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cellar House

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 30, 2025

1. Cellar House Marker

Inscription. Archaeologists uncovered evidence of a small building built over a 3-foot deep pit in the ground, dating from the Washington family era at Ferry Farm. Analysis of the artifacts found at the site, along with comparison to other 18th-century structures, led to the conclusion that it was a building for storing vegetables, fruits, and other preserved foods, commonly called a root cellar or cellar house. The pit in the ground under the building was used to keep perishable foods cool. The cellar house was a support building for the kitchen, which was a stand-alone structure also located in the work yard.

(Photo Captions)
Faunal remains uncovered at the Cellar House site, including animal bone, teeth, and oyster shell.

Various ceramic storage vessels uncovered at the Cellar House site, including redware, brown English stoneware, and Westerwald (gray German stoneware).

Erected 2024 by The George Washington Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era.

Location. 38° 17.72′ N, 77° 26.971′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. It can be reached from George

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Washington Way 0.2 miles west of Kings Highway, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of George Washington's Ferry Farm, admission required to access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 268 George Washington Way, Fredericksburg VA 22405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Root Cellar (here, next to this marker); Enslaved Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); The Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Boyhood Home Site (about 700 feet away); George Washington’s Childhood Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Creek Delegation in Fredericksburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fredericksburg's Wharves and Harbor (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Washington Plantation (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Ferries (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); The Civil War at Ferry Farm (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Cellar House. The cellar house was reconstructed on the original site beginning in 2022, with the completed replica opening to the public in 2024.

Cellar House (Replica) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 30, 2025

2. Cellar House (Replica)

George Washington's Ferry Farm reconstructed this cellar house between 2022-24 using colonial building techniques and placed it on the archaeologically-identified original site. The interior is occasionally open for public viewing and includes the "root cellar" features described on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 57 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.