The Rising Sun Tavern is located at 1306 Caroline Street, about a seven minute walk south from this location. It was constructed in 1760 by Charles Washington, the younger brother of the United States’ first President. Several important figures frequented the structure during the Revolutionary War, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Mason. In 1777, Jefferson met with a small group to shape what would eventually become the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. The building was converted into a tavern in 1792. A major restoration took place in the 1930’s, which included the addition of a large front porch that still spans the entire front facade. Much of the interior’s woodwork has been maintained from the original construction. Below is a picture of the tavern taken just before the restoration, followed by a photograph of how it looks today.
Currently, the Rising Sun Tavern is owned by Preservation Virginia and operates as a museum to showcase elements of Fredericksburg’s rich history. The interior is filled with period-style furniture, and interpreters dressed in 18th century clothing inform guests on the historical significance of the buildings as well as the daily operations of tavern life. The Rising Sun Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. For more information on the Rising Sun Tavern’s current hours of operation, please visit their website here.
The entrance facade of the Rising Sun Tavern in 1927, before the restoration. Photo Credit: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Collection, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/csas200906110/
The Rising Sun Tavern as it looks today.
Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RisingSunTavern_March2011.JPG
Photo Credit: Fredericksburg Patch, http://fredericksburg.patch.com/listings/rising-sun-tavern