Weems-Botts Museum

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Visitors to the Weems-Botts Museum will learn about historic Dumfries, the oldest chartered town in Virginia. Colonial Dumfries had a thriving port - rivaling New York, Philadelphia, and Boston - located on a deep water harbor, which no longer exists. The tobacco trade led to the development of Dumfries and its position as the social, political, and economic center of Prince William County in the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. Visitors will also learn about the people who used the building, which dates back to the 18th century, including: Parson Weems, author of George Washington's first biography and originator of the cherry tree story; Benjamin Botts, a lawyer and defense attorney for Aaron Burr during his infamous treason trial; and the Merchant family, who lived in the house from 1869-1968. Tour offered hourly May-October (First tour at 11am - last tour at 3pm). Tours by appointment only November-April. Park open year-round dawn to dusk.Visitors to the Weems-Botts Museum will learn about historic Dumfries, the oldest chartered town in Virginia. Colonial Dumfries had a thriving port - rivaling New York, Philadelphia, and Boston - located on a deep water harbor, which no longer exists. The tobacco trade led to the development of Dumfries and its position as the social, political, and economic center of Prince William County in the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. Visitors will also learn about the people who used the building, which dates back to the 18th century, including: Parson Weems, author of George Washington's first biography and originator of the cherry tree story; Benjamin Botts, a lawyer and defense attorney for Aaron Burr during his infamous treason trial; and the Merchant family, who lived in the house from 1869-1968. Tour offered hourly May-October (First tour at 11am - last tour at 3pm). Tours by appointment only November-April. Park open year-round dawn to dusk.