2002 Meeting in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday evening, June 9th saw the conclusion of a spectacular meeting coming to a close with the traditional singing of the hymn "Blest Be The Tie That Binds". A fitting closing with everyone standing and joining hands in one large circle. It imparts the feeling of being in one great family.
Fredericksburg, Virginia was the perfect place for this 48th annual gathering of the Washington Family Descendants. It is a place where so much history was made by the Washingtons and Lewises and allied families of early Colonial America and we were able to visit many of these sites.
Our meeting events started with the visit to the registration desk in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Select, a hotel with facilities geared for large groups. After picking up name tags, programs and meeting details at the registration desk you became a part of a changing group of 'cousins' gathered in the lobby greeting and hugging one another as new arrivals came and others went off to get ready for the evening's dinner and program.
Friday evening in the ball room after the desserts had been finished and the tables cleared, John A. Washington our Genealogist and past President General presented us with an overview of the Fredericksburg historic sites linked with the Washingtons that we would visit during our stay. His knowledge of the families and their interactions with each other and the happenings of the time made for a very enjoyable and enlightening evening.
Before leaving the dinner President General Janet Miller called for short business meeting to consider a few items needing membership approval. The main item was an affirmative vote on the proposed dues increase from $20 to $25 for Active Members. Postage is a major expense and rates are again being raised the last of June.
Saturday morning the coach was boarded for a day filled with visits to places John had told us about the previous night. Our first stop was at Washington's Birthplace National Monument on Pope's Creek. This is the traditional home of the Washington family and the house known as Wakefield has been replicated and was toured.
President General Janet Miller points toward Pope's Creek which joins the Potomac River.
We then went to the Washington Cemetery at Wakefield. Here we conducted our Memorial Service for our family members deceased in the past year.
Washington Family Cemetery at Wakefield
We next went to Stratford Hall, the Lee family home where General Robert E. Lee was born and grew up. We had lunch served here and then toured the house and grounds.
Stratford Hall, The Lee Family Home
We boarded our coach and drove to Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington and then on to home of Mary Ball Washington. This is the house George bought for his mother in town when she moved from the farm. It is in the center of Fredericksburg.
Our last stop of the day was at the Rising Sun Tavern. The structure was built by George's younger brother, Charles for his home. It was turned into a tavern by subsequent owners.
On the tavern porch before going in for a tour.
After the Saturday evening dinner the program featured our meeting host, Dr. Michael Frost. He presented a paper prepared by the noted author, Paula S. Felder who has published several outstanding books on Fredericksburg and its early residents. She was prepared to present the work herself but a last minute illness prevented her being with us. Dr. Frost made an excellent presentation using her material.
Sunday morning found us boarding the old fashion trolley buses for the trip to St. George's Episcopal Church to attend the morning worship service. This is the church where the Washington family worshiped.
The Washington Crest in one of the stained-glass church windows
After church we boarded the trolley buses and headed for the city's boat landing on the Rappahannock River. There we boarded the "City of Fredericksburg", a paddlewheel boat for a cruise on the river while we had a delicious lunch.
The trolley buses were waiting to take us to Kenmore, the home of Betty Washington and Fielding Lewis.
The house is undergoing extensive repairs and restoration. In its day, Kenmore was one of the most elegant houses in Virginia. The plaster decorations on the ceilings and walls are outstanding.
Fielding Lewis built and operated a retail store in Fredericksburg. It is said that it is the first store to have a display window for items offered for sale within. We were treated to an unexpected extra. by the building being opened for our inspection. The restoration is not complete and it will be opened to the public at a later date.
Before boarding the trolley buses for the hotel, we gathered on the steps of the Library for a group picture. Here we are!!
Sunday 9 June 2002, Fredericksburg, Virginia
We had one more stop this Sunday afternoon. This was at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library on Charles Street. There we met Dr. John Pearce the curator. We would see him again that evening at the hotel.
The final function was our Sunday night banquet and annual member meeting. Our
program was presented by Dr. John Pearce, Professor at William And Mary College.
He spoke about the legacy left by James Monroe and of his accomplishments
as statesman and President. Dr. Pearce is trying to boost the public's
understanding of this great man's contributions to our country.
A short business meeting was conducted that evening to elect officers for the next term ending in May/June 2004 and to complete a few administrative 'house-keeping' chores. This was an outstanding meeting and our meeting hosts, Dr. Michael Frost and his sister Judy Frost received the accolades of the group for their organization and preparations resulting in a memorable event.