Stafford: History, Gardens and Trails

An active church, an artists’ home and miles of walking trails reveal different sides of Stafford. The stories of its historic sites also span a wide range of subjects: from the history of an artists’ residence and the Patawomeck people to memorial sites from the American Civil War. When planning your trip, you can choose from museums and gardens, cultural attractions and outdoor activities.

History and Historic Sites

Aquia Episcopal Church is the oldest active church in Stafford County. Belmont Estate served as a country home and studio for painter Gari Melchers in the early 19th century. The grounds include restored formal gardens and miles of walking trails—offering space to spend time outdoors as well as a connection to the artist’s history.

Tours of Gari Melchers Home and Studio begin every hour starting at 10:30 a.m.; the historic site and visitor center are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check these hours before your visit.

Chatham was built in 1771. The first floor is set up as a museum with exhibits and includes a 12-minute film that plays on demand. Gardens dating from the 1920s offer views over Fredericksburg. Chatham thus combines historical interpretation indoors with a garden setting.

Ferry Farm is another historic site: George Washington spent his childhood and formative teenage years there.

Discover Patawomeck History

Together, the Patawomeck Museum & Cultural Center and the Living History Village share the story of Stafford’s first inhabitants. The Village depicts life in a Patawomeck village around 1491. The collection represents 10,000 years of history. This brings together a specific depiction of life around 1491 and a collection spanning 10,000 years.

Aquia Landing and Civil War Remembrance

Aquia Landing Park offers opportunities for fishing, picnicking and kayaking at a public beach. Aquia Landing also has a transportation history: it was the terminus of the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and an important transportation point between Washington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. Aquia Landing is also an important stop on the Underground Railroad’s Network to Freedom. During the American Civil War, it was the first place to witness naval bombardment; Aquia Landing is also a designated stop on the Civil War Trails.

The Stafford County Virginia Civil War Park contains several army encampments from the American Civil War. Eight interpretive signs provide information about historic features and their connection to Union troop encampments used in the winter of 1863.

The Trail to Freedom offers a broader historical perspective: this walking and driving tour passes through Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania and surrounding counties. It tells the story of the mass escape of enslaved people in the summer of 1862.

Trails and Landscapes

Government Island has a 1.5-mile trail. The Belmont Ferry Farm Trail is open year-round and runs through Brooks Park, John Lee Pratt Memorial Park and Historic Port of Falmouth. For planning your route, note the difference in the information provided: Government Island has a specified trail length, while the Belmont Ferry Farm Trail is described as a year-round route through several named locations.

Discover more destinations: Stafford, Suffolk City, Mecklenburg County, Danville, Amherst County, Madison County, Frederick County, Galax.

For the broader travel overview: Virginia.