Near Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Constructing a Past

— George Washington Birthplace National Monument —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

1. Constructing a Past Marker

Inscription. The Wakefield National Memorial Association (WNMA) built the brick house before you in 1932 as a memorial to George Washington. Because no records existed regarding the original appearance of the birth house, they built it based on an ideal the house in which they thought George Washington should have been born.

Heavily influenced by the Colonial Revival Movement, inspired nostalgia and the spirit of the undertaking were more important to the WNMA than historical accuracy. Their effort was about honoring Washington by evoking a sense of reverence and grandeur that they thought befitted him as a Revolutionary War hero and our country's first president.

Despite ideals that were ultimately out of touch with the values of an emerging historic preservation movement in the United States, Colonial Revival-influenced groups were critical to saving thousands of historic sites across the country. Without the political savvy and tireless fundraising of these groups, many sites, including this one, may have been lost.

What is more important to you—historical accuracy or honoring the spirit of a person, place,

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Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 38° 11.154′ N, 76° 54.976′ W. Marker is near Colonial Beach, Virginia, in Westmoreland County. It can be reached from Popes Creek Road (Virginia Route 204) 1.9 miles east of Kings Highway ( Route 3). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1730 Popes Creek Rd, Colonial Beach VA 22443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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

The House in which George Washington Should Have Been Born image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

2. The House in which George Washington Should Have Been Born

This marker is below the window that is to the right of the entrance.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dairy (within shouting distance of this marker); More than a Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Significance of a Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); Connected by Commerce (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Tidewater Gentry (about 600 feet away); Remembering Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First People Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Explore a trail network (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Beach.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Memorial Area (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Archeology at Popes Creek (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); George Washington’s Birthplace (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Artery of Commerce (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Popes Creek Plantation (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Historic Area (was approx. 0.2 miles

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away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.