Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library facts for kids
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| Established | 1958 |
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| Location | Lancaster, Virginia |
The Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library is a special place in Lancaster, Virginia, that helps keep history alive! It's both a museum and a historical archive, which means it collects and saves old documents and items. This museum is located in a beautiful area of Virginia called the Northern Neck, near the Chesapeake Bay. Its main goal is to protect and share the amazing history of Lancaster County, Virginia. The museum first opened its doors in 1958. It was named after Mary Ball, who was the mother of George Washington, America's first president. Mary Ball was born right there in Lancaster County!
Contents
Discovering History: The Museum's Collection
The museum's library holds a huge collection of books and special research materials. These materials help people learn about their family history, which is called genealogy. You can find records going all the way back to 1651! That's over 350 years of history!
Exploring Local Stories
The collection focuses on the history of Lancaster County and the wider Northern Neck area. It also includes information about nearby Middlesex and Essex counties. There are about 10,000 books, magazines, and old handwritten papers. These resources tell the stories of Virginia and the Northern Neck. The museum works hard to bring to life the rich history of the people who lived in this region.
Exploring the Museum Complex
The museum and library are open for everyone to visit. You can take tours of the old buildings and see interesting exhibits. They also offer educational programs where you can learn even more. If you're curious about your family's past, you can even trace your family history here!
Historic Buildings to See
The museum is part of a group of five historic buildings. These buildings are located in the Lancaster Courthouse Historic District. They include:
- The Old Jail, built in 1820.
- The Clerk's Office, built around 1797.
- The Lancaster House.
- The Steuart Blakemore Building, built around 1900.
See also
- Lancaster Court House Historic District
