First-hand accounts add powerful stories of turmoil and perseverance in this Virginia destination
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA–FEBRUARY 2025–Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a place known for its history. Situated midway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, its location along the Rappahannock River is the site of a collection of authentic American stories ranging from those of a young nation’s soon-to-be President to those of Black Americans struggling for equality. Today, these stories are preserved amid the contemporary streets of a vibrant, welcoming destination. Its downtown is filled with the businesses of talented, creative entrepreneurs, chefs and artists of all backgrounds. And today, the combination of a diverse, inclusive city and a dedication to preserving and telling the stories of its past, makes this a destination for those interested in exploring Civil Rights history.
“When I got to work at the fish market (Fredericksburg Fish Market) in the summer of 1955, June. I remember when I was in Fredericksburg, and I had to go to the bathroom. We couldn’t go to the bathroom. You would have to go down under the bridge (Chatham Bridge) to go to the bathroom. And we would relieve ourselves under the bridge. Women, men, and anybody that had to go.” – John A. White.
It is stories like these that make Fredericksburg’s important African American history come to life. Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, a destination on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, includes stories and sites of the Civil Rights Movement here, from the end of the Civil War to the present. The timeline begins in 1865, and chronicles the efforts of Black people to create educational, housing and business opportunities during the Jim Crow era. There are sites where racial segregation was protested in the 1950s and 60s, and more recent events led by Black political leaders and Black Lives Matter activists are noted.
Entitled “Freedom, A Work In Progress,” Fredericksburg’s Civil Rights Trail is filled with unforgettable, firsthand stories of locals. One account is from Robert Christian, who remembers the hostility he faced as the first Black student attending Maury School when it was first desegregated and another from John A. White who was not allowed in public restrooms. Another site is the corner of Caroline and William Streets, where sit-ins were staged at the lunch counters of W.T. Grant or F.W. Woolworth.
These are joined by many more locations, like the National Bank Building (Now Foode, 900 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg Virginia 22401), one of the headquarters for the Freedmen’s Bureau during Reconstruction. The bureau was established after the conclusion of the Civil War to help transition formerly enslaved people to become self-sufficient.
And there are stories from Shiloh Baptist Church (801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-8701) where the Black community has worshiped since the late 1800s. At this stop of the trail, Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater saw her grandfather teach members of his congregation to read. “ . . . he started a night school to teach people how to read and write. He would ask them the question, ‘Do you want to be able to read and write? Do you want to be able to vote?’ His bottom line was he wanted them to be able to go in there to be able to cast their votes and register.”
The trail consists of 21 sites and has two parts. Part 1 is a 2.6-mile walking tour that starts at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center (601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-1776) and takes visitors through the historic downtown district. An online trail map serves as a guide and includes narrated segments and oral histories.
Part 2 starts on the University of Mary Washington campus (1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-654-1234) and includes stops at Shiloh Cemetery (801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401) and the Dorothy Hart Community Center (408 Canal Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-372-1086). In addition to 1.5 miles of walking on campus, this section includes a nearly two-mile driving tour.
The trail was launched in 2023 and is the result of an ongoing partnership between the City of Fredericksburg, University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center and the university faculty and students. It became a part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail in February of 2024, and will be updated as future stories and information are uncovered and shared.
Where to stay
Fredericksburg has a variety of lodging options, from well-known branded hotels to one-of-a-kind properties. The variety includes selections, such as:
Courtyard by Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District (620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-369-9321) offers 98 rooms just steps from the Fredericksburg Visitor Center and a host of downtown restaurants and shops.
Richard Johnston Inn and 1890 Caroline House (711 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401; 540-899-7606) is full of historic charm that dates back to the early 18th century. With over 10 rooms in the heart downtown, it a perfect cozy retreat.
The Publisher, Fredericksburg: A Tribute Portfolio Hotel (711 William Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-518-2624) stands on the site of the once daily Fredericksburg newspaper, the Free-Lance Star. The boutique hotel has 98 rooms and a host of luxury amenities, and is home to FIVE Chophouse, which serves breakfast and dinner.
Ironclad Inn (1200 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-371-7622) Built circa 1793, Ironclad Inn is a former Colonial brick private residence set in the heart of historic downtown which has nine bedrooms, each unique and individually furnished, and the Tasting Room & Bourbon Bottle Shop.