Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Memorial Area
Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, August 3, 2010
1. The Memorial Area Marker
In 1923, on the eve of the bicentennial of Washington's birth, interested citizens decided to create a memorial landscape here, including the Memorial House, colonial kitchen, brick walkways, and an extensive cedar grove. When built, the Memorial House and colonial kitchen represented a best guess at the historic appearance of Popes Creek Plantation. We now know that they bear little resemblance to the structures that stood here in 1732.
These early commemorative efforts led to the designation of Washington's birthplace as the first historic site in the National Park System in 1930. With the later addition of workshops and farm buildings, the memorial area has become a working colonial farm. Begin your walk through the farm area inside the colonial kitchen, just in front of you.
Builders of the Memorial House thought its location marked the site of the birth house. Six years later, archeologists confirmed the location of the birth house foundation, 100 feet away.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era
this page online
Location. 38° 11.131′ N, 76° 54.992′ W. Marker is in Colonial Beach, Virginia, in Westmoreland County. It can be reached from Popes Creek Road. The marker is at George Washington Birthplace National Monument, one of our National Parks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1732 Popes Creek Road, 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, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. 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: Dairy (a few steps from this marker); Popes Creek Plantation (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Artery of Commerce (about 500 feet away); The Historic Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); Explore a trail network (approx. 0.2 miles away); War in the Chesapeake (approx. 0.2 miles away); O! say can you see (approx. 0.2 miles away); Free to Fight (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Beach.
Other markers no longer nearby. Archeology at Popes Creek (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); George Washingtons Birthplace (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); George Washington Birthplace Site
Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, August 3, 2010
2. George Washington Birthplace National Monument
Additional keywords. George Washington, Augustine Washington, Popes Creek Plantation, Potomac River
Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, August 3, 2010
3. The Memorial Area Marker
Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, August 3, 2010
4. Interior of Colonial Kitchen
Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, August 3, 2010
5. Farm Buildings
The view looking from the marker towards the farm buildings.
Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, August 3, 2010
6. A Park Ranger Explains the Outline of the George Washington Birthplace House
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2010, by Patrick G. Jordan of Graham, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 8, 2010, by Patrick G. Jordan of Graham, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
