Hallowed Ground Tours

05/22/2023

SATURDAY STROLL: Lower Caroline Street

NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR / LOWER CAROLINE STREET: On Saturday, May 27th, at 10 AM, the Fredericksburg Area Museum – in conjunction with Hallowed Ground Tours -- will sponsor a 90-minute, guided walking tour of Fredericksburg's Lower Caroline Street Neighborhood. Meet in the commuter parking lot at the corner of Caroline and Frederick Streets. Part of the "History of Our Homes" local tour series, this 7-block walk will discuss the stories of the people and the historic homes of that area. The cost is $8; $4 for Museum members and children. Reservations encouraged but not required. Call (540) 809-3918to save a spot and for more info. Rain date is Monday, May 29th, same time and place.

02/09/2023

THE TOURMASTER ON THE ROAD: Last weekend, Feb 3-5, the Tourmaster was in Gettysburg at the 25th anniversary of the 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment’s descendant group. Their ancestors fought in all of the battles in our area and were cited regularly for a fight well done. These men and woman are keeping history alive and current. I was glad to be with them speaking and answering questions.

11/25/2022

TURKEY WEEK TOUR: The Tourmaster was honored to have an interested and knowledgeable client in town for a tour of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania on Wednesday.

10/06/2022

NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR / LOWER CAROLINE STREET: On Saturday, October 8th, at 10 AM, the Fredericksburg Area Museum – in conjunction with Hallowed Ground Tours -- will sponsor a 90-minute, guided walking tour of Fredericksburg's Lower Caroline Street Neighborhood. Meet in the commuter parking lot at the corner of Caroline and Frederick Streets. Part of the "History of Our Homes" local tour series, this 7-block walk will discuss the history of the people and the historic homes of that area. The cost is $8; $4 for Museum members and children. Pay the guide at the beginning of the walk. For more information, call (540) 809-3918. Rain date is Monday, October 10th, same time and place.

09/27/2022

VIRGINIA PRODUCTS: Did you know that these three things were originally developed and marketed from Virginia companies?

09/27/2022

THE WASHINGTON FARM: The Tourmaster had the good fortune to visit the reconstructed Washington House across the river from our City Dock. Fabulous place if you haven't been recently. There's always something new. The large punchbowl is something they had but the little cups are "new" and each one had to be hand-painted.

09/07/2022

HGT and the GRANT: Proud to be a part of this with Friends of the Rappahannock and Fredericksburg City Schools !

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a three-year, $236,000 grant to fund watershed education and training to students of Fredericksburg City Public Schools.

06/26/2022

NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR / WASHINGTON AVENUE: On Saturday, July 2nd, at 10 AM, the Fredericksburg Area Museum – in conjunction with Hallowed Ground Tours -- will sponsor a 90-minute, guided walking tour of Fredericksburg's historic Washington Avenue Neighborhood. Meet at the George Rogers Clark Memorial in the median in front of Kenmore. Part of the "History of Our Homes" local tour series, this 7-block walk will discuss the history of the people and the historic homes of that area. The cost is $8; $4 for Museum members and children. For more information and to register, call (540) 809-3918.

04/13/2022

SALUBRIA: This wonderful place at Stevensburg was built in the 1750s and is still standing. It’s managed by the Germanna Foundation, descendants of tge settlers on what was Virginia’s frontier. The house will now have a large Amazon Data Center on or property next to it. Power lines to that site more than likely will go along the back end of Salubria’s property.

03/29/2022

PRESERVATION IN CULPEPER! People are tired of hearing me say “Prez isn’t east or cheap”. Salubria, a still standing 1740s home is threatened by a proposal by AMAZON to build a Data Center next to it.

How do you bann my acne jobs created vs. preserving the area’s surroundings. Hansborough’s Ridge next to it has history from theAmer. Rev. to tge Civil War. Alas. What a decision.

02/15/2022

TWO MORE SPOTS: Sign up and ride along. Some folks had to drop out so spots opened up. Lots of folks say, "Wow! Sounds interesting but we're having trouble gathering a crowd.

PRESIDENTIAL VISITS BIKE TOUR: Weather permitting, on Saturday, February 19th, at 10:00AM, the Fredericksburg Area Museum – in conjunction with Hallowed Ground Tours – will sponsor a roughly 90- minute bike tour of the City’s Historic Districts highlighting the 31 area visits by the men from the First – George Washington – to the Forty-sixth – Joseph Biden, who were either already, would become, or had been President of the United States. [Registration for an earlier morning tour is closed.] This tour, “Rolling Through History”, will range over all historic districts, is largely “downhill”, ending on Lower Caroline Street and is limited to 10 cyclists. Pre-registration is required and is limited to 12 bikes. Meet at the Mary Washington Monument and, of course, dress appropriately. The cost is $10: $5 for Museum members. For information or registration, call either Caroline at (540) 371-3037, ext. 135 or Scott at (540) 809-3918. Rain Date: Monday, February 21st, same time and place. End-of-tour transport is up to each participant. Bring a writing implement!

02/04/2022

ICY PRESIDENTIAL BIKE RIDE ? Well, the first try in October didn't work. Weather permitting, let's try again..... President's Day Weekend. This time, we have so many reservations, that we have closed the 10AM ride group and are offering a second, later in the day.....Read on!

PRESIDENTIAL VISITS BIKE TOUR: Weather permitting, on Saturday, February 19th, at 1:30PM, the Fredericksburg Area Museum – in conjunction with Hallowed Ground Tours – will sponsor a roughly 90-minute bike tour of sites within the City highlighting the 31 area visits by the men from the First – George Washington – to the Forty-sixth – Joseph Biden, who were either already, would become, or had been President of the United States. This tour, “Rolling Through History”, will range over all historic districts, is largely “downhill”, ending on Lower Caroline Street and is limited to 10 cyclists. Pre-registration is required. Meet at the Mary Washington Monument and, of course, dress appropriately. The cost is $10: $5 for Museum members. For information or registration, call either Caroline at (540) 371-3037, ext. 135 or Scott at (540) 809-3918. Rain Date: Monday, February 21st, same time and place. End-of-tour transport is up to each participant. Bring a writing implement! Additional times over the Presidents Day Holiday Weekend could be added, depending on demand and weather.

11/10/2021

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES!

10/08/2021

BIKE RIDE CANCELLED: The “Presidential Sites Bike Ride”, scheduled for this Saturday morning, October 9th, has been cancelled for lack of interest. In spite of over 300 “likes” on Facebook, and scores of “Gee: that looks really interesting” comments face to face over the Kumquats at Giant and Wegman’s, no one registered with either the Fredericksburg Area Museum or Hallowed Ground Tours. Alas!
The tour will be converted into a two part walk beginning President’s Day Weekend in February, 2022.

10/03/2021

ROLLING THROUGH HISTORY! PRESIDENTIAL SITES BIKE TOUR: On Saturday, October 9th, at 10AM, the Fredericksburg Area Museum – in conjunction with Hallowed Ground Tours – will sponsor a roughly 90-minute bike tour of the City’s Historic Districts highlighting the 31 area visits by the men from the First – George Washington – to the Forty-sixth – Joseph Biden, who were either already, would become, or had been President of the United States. This tour, “Rolling Through History”, will range over all historic districts, is largely “downhill”, ending on Lower Caroline Street and is limited to 10 cyclists. Pre-registration is required. Meet at the Mary Washington Monument. The cost is $10: $5 for Museum members. For information or registration, call either Caroline at (540) 371-3037, ext. 135 or Scott at (540) 809-3918. Rain Date: Monday, October 11th, same time and place. End-of-tour transport is up to each participant. Bring a writing implement!

09/02/2021

WALK THE "HIDDEN JEWEL": NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR / HANOVER STREET & “ALLAN TOWN”: We all admire Lower Caroline Street and Washington Avenue. Hanover Street has everything, from rich to poor, from unknown to know.

On Saturday, September 4th, at 10 AM, a guide from Hallowed Ground Tours -- in cooperation with the Fredericksburg Area Museum--will lead a 90-minute walking tour of Fredericksburg's Hanover Street / Allan Town area. Meet in the Truist /BB&T bank parking lot at the corner of George and Prince Edward Streets. Part of the "History of Our Homes" local tour series, this 9-block walk will discuss the history of the people and the historic homes of that area. The cost is $8; $4 for Museum members and children. For more information, call (540) 809-3918. Rain date is Monday, September 6th, same time and place.

06/27/2021

NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR / WASHINGTON AVENUE: On Saturday, July 3rd, at 10 AM, a guide from Hallowed Ground Tours – in cooperation with the Fredericksburg Area Museum -- will lead a 90-minute, walking tour of Fredericksburg's historic Washington Avenue Neighborhood. Meet at the George Rogers Clark Memorial in the median in front of Kenmore. Part of the Museum’s "History of Our Homes" local tour series, this 7-block walk will discuss the history of the people and the historic homes of that area. The cost is $8; $4 for Museum members and children. For more information, call (540) 809-3918. Rain Date: Monday, July 5, same time, same place.

06/01/2021

THIS FOR FABULOUS PHOTOGRAPHER, BOB MARTIN, WHO WAS ON THE TUESDAY MORNING, ELDERSTUDY TOUR OF LOWER CAROLINE STREET:

After Four tours (one in the drizzle) in four days in the same neighborhood, I finally got what I should have!

05/27/2021

NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR / LOWER CAROLINE STREET:

RAIN DELAY: Monday, May 31, 10AM

On Saturday, May 29th, at 10 AM, a guide from Hallowed Ground Tours--in cooperation with the Fredericksburg Area Museum--will lead a 90-minute walking tour of Fredericksburg's Lower Caroline Street Neighborhood. Part of the "History of Our Homes" local tour series, this 7-block walk will discuss the history of the people and the historic homes of that area. The cost is $8; $4 for Museum members and children. Meet and pay the guide in the commuter parking lot at the corner of Caroline and Frederick Streets. For more information, call (540) 809-3918. Rain date: Monday, May 31.

04/28/2021

WALKING TOUR: Saturday, May 8th. Postponed by COVID rules from Presidents' Day Weekend, we are now doing this for Mother's Day in conjunction with the Washington Heritage Museums.

WALK THROUGH MOTHER MARY'S 'HOOD: On Saturday of Mother's Day Weekend, May 8th, at 10AM, join a guide from Hallowed Ground Tours, in cooperation with the Washington Heritage Museums, for an approximately 8-block, 1-1/2 hour walk around the neighborhood and through the streets that Mary Washington would have walked in the 18th Century. Hear about each building's architecture and see the gardens of her home and other Washington Heritage Museum properties, as well as the Lewis Store. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for WHM Members and children. Because of sidewalk space, only15 people per group will be accepted. An additional group may be added at 1:30PM, depending on registrations. Meet and pay the guide at St. James House, 1300 Charles Street. Pre-registration is requested. To register or for more information, call 540-809-3918.

04/28/2021

THE TOURMASTER TALKS . . . . . for the SALEM LIBRARY BRANCH, CRRL.

On May 6th, as part of the SPOTSYLVANIA 300th CELEBRATION, I'll be giving a talk on noted Spotsylvania native, Matthew Fontaine Maury. On-line with Facebook, the talk will begin at 6:30PM with time for questions until 8:00. More info as we get closer.

The link to the library is:

https://librarypoint.bibliocommons.com/events/6078a2296fb99b2e00986329

Matthew Fontaine Maury was a Spotsylvania native who became the leading navigator of the 19th century. Born on a farm in the middle of what is now the Chancellorsville Battlefield, Maury had little education. Despite that, he gained a world-wide reputation as "The Expert" on ocean tides, winds, and....

04/05/2021

TIME TO TOUR ! Spring returns. With care, we are touring again. You will be in your car following mine. At various sites, you would wear masks. COME ON DOWN....or over.

09/22/2020

VIDEO TALK/ "When in the Course of Women's Events": This Saturday, September 26th (having been shut out by COVID in March!), The Tourmaster is giving a ZOOM talk to the League of Women Voters. The topic is about women in our area's history with an emphasis on Woman's Suffrage. If you'd like to participate, send me an email: [email protected] and I'll send you the link.

07/30/2020

YES! WE ARE TOURING: We have been touring again since June. Instead of getting in your vehicle, you follow ours. At certain sites, we get out -- with Masks -- to walk and talk. Fredericksburg's old sites are always interesting. Battlefield sites in the National Park are wide open. Come on down and let us show you around. Look how beautiful Buddy Secor's picture of a sunrise at a part of the Chancellorsville Battlefield is -- in "caravan mode" or the former way, we'd love to show you around.

05/31/2020

OPEN FOR BUSINESS !

PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE
“HERE WE TOUR AGAIN!”

With the highest regard for personal and public health safety, as of Friday, May 29th, the Tourmaster is pleased to announce that Hallowed Ground Tours will begin once again offering tours – both of the area’s battlefields and the City’s architecture and history. As is appropriate, we will be “en-masked.
On walking tours, safe distances will be maintained and group size monitored. On battlefield tours, the style will be by “caravan”, or following vehicles. Instead of the Tourmaster riding along, he (in his vehicle) will lead you (in your vehicle) to various sites where touring on foot will continue while maintaining safe, personal separation. National Park Service building sites are still closed, therefore, touring will be “in the fields” only.
In anticipation of this, tours will be starting immediately. To schedule a tour, as always, contact Hallowed Ground Tours on the web at www.hallowedgroundtours.com or, if you prefer, by email at [email protected]. I you prefer, we can also be reached by phone at (540) 809-3918.

Personal tours of Historic Fredericksburg, VA and the many Civil War sites in the surrounding areas of Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties. Tailored tours to meet your family or group's specific needs.

02/18/2020

PRESIDENTIAL VISIT ! Partly because of geography (nearness), our region has gotten multiple Presidential visits over the years. and, thus was overnight, not just a fly by (or, in former years) a chug through by train. Read TRs comments at the end of the article.

Thanks to Clark Hall for this acquisition. Good job, Bud !

https://www.fredericksburg.com/lifestyles/president-roosevelt-visits-cedar-mountain-again/article_67953ac1-2d81-561f-a3c6-5d06c89e89ac.html

A rare treasure has come home to Culpeper County, finding the perfect repository with an appreciative steward.

02/09/2020

WALKING TOUR: On Saturday of President's Day Weekend, February 15th, at 11AM, join a guide from Hallowed Ground Tours, in cooperation with the Washington Heritage Museums, for an approximately 8-block, 1-1/2 hour walk around the neighborhood and through the streets that Mary Washington, herself, would have walked in the 18th Century. On this "Walk Through Mary's 'Hood", hear about each building's architecture and see the gardens of her home and other Washington Heritage Museum properties, as well as the Lewis Store. See how things have changed! The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for WHM members. Meet the guide at St. James House, 1300 Charles Street. For more information, call 540-809-3918.

01/12/2020

The Tourmaster Talks . . . in Town:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=rappahannock%20valley%20civil%20war%20round%20table&epa=SEARCH_BOX

11/07/2019

NOTE THIS !

https://www.fredericksburg.com/opinion/editorial-save-city-s-top-architectural-gem/article_1e4b10c5-0dc6-584e-a030-e82985ca6299.html

FREDERICKSBURG officials will be holding a public forum tonight, beginning at 6:15 p.m., at the old Renwick Courthouse to present the results of a $25,000 feasibility study on what should

10/09/2019

DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR: On Saturday, October 12th, guides from Hallowed Ground Tours, in association with the Fredericksburg Area Museum, will conduct a 1-1/2 hour walking tour of the Downtown area highlighting 400 years of Fredericksburg History and Architecture. The 8-10 block Columbus Day Weekend tour, "Bricks and Boards in the ’Burg" will begin at 9:30AM and begin as well as end in Historic Market Square, behind the Museum, located at 907 Princess Anne Street. The cost is $7 for adults. Museum members are free. Simply show up and pay the guide. A discount coupon for Museum entry is included. These are the last scheduled walking tours of this season. For more information, call (540) 809-3918.