Koons Woodbridge Hyundai

May 8, 2023

Thursday, 22 September, 2022

Woodbridge, Virginia, is in an area of Virginia steeped in history. The town was founded in 1731, so people in the area were well settled by the time early American history started making waves. Woodbridge has always been a quiet farming town, but it’s close to major and minor historical sights you shouldn’t miss. Keep reading for Koons Woodbridge Hyundai’s list of the five must-see historical destinations that are worth taking the time to drive to in your new Hyundai.

George Washington’s Distillery

The Distillery is located on George Washington’s Mount Vernon home and farmland and was created at the behest of Washington’s farm manager, James Anderson. Anderson had experience operating a farm and distillery in Scotland and wanted to get back into creating fine whiskey. Washington agreed with his farm manager and ordered the construction of a distillery next to his gristmill on Dogue Creek. The distillery could produce almost 11,000 gallons by the time Washington died in 1799.

The owners have restored the distillery and grist mill to their original state, so they function as they did when Washington was alive. Visitors can tour the site, watch how it makes the whiskey, look at artifacts uncovered on the grounds, and even buy a bottle of hand-crafted whiskey produced with 18th-century distilling methods and techniques.

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Fort Ward is a military site located in Alexandria, Virginia, that provided support to the Union Army during the Civil War. It was built in 1861 as a part of a defense ring to protect Washington, D.C., from attack. After Virginia announced it was leaving the Union, the Union Army quickly occupied the fort and helped the U.S. government retain control of the seven counties that surround the nation’s capital. Fort Ward originally had an earthwork perimeter of 540 yards and placements for 36 guns. These stalwart defenses meant that the Confederates never attacked the fort.

The fort has been restored to its original state and serves as a living history museum. Visitors can enjoy tours of the site, watch people act out living history in period costumes, and learn more about the vital role the fort played in residents’ daily lives. You’ll also learn about the military aspect of the fort, along with the military engineering of the era. It’s estimated that 90% of the original earthwork walls have been preserved.

Rippon Lodge

Rippon Lodge is one of the oldest homes in Prince William County, with its original construction dating back to 1747. Richard Blackburn built the house with his son Thomas and grew crops, including tobacco, wheat, and other commodities destined for export to England. The house changed hands a couple of times until Wade H. and Dessie Ellis purchased it in 1923.

The couple also bought 500 acres of land and renovated the home with the goal of preservation. In 1952, Admiral Blackburn Black, a direct descendant of Richard Blackburn, bought the property, and his daughter eventually sold it to Prince William County for historical preservation.

The lodge is open to visitors from Friday to Monday all year, with tours on offer regularly during operating hours. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, but the house closes after the last tour, which begins at 3 p.m. The site aims to act as a living history museum, with actors interpreting the history of the house from its inception in 1747 all the way until its final year as a private residence in 2000. Visitors can walk around the grounds, gardens, and walking trails while enjoying the view of the Potomac River.

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum

The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum highlights the historical importance of the railway to Fairfax and the surrounding region. The original railroad that served the station was known as the Orange and Alexandria Railroad (O&A) and originally transported produce from local farms to nearby cities and Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, the O&A line helped move Union troops to the region and evacuated soldiers wounded in battle.

The railroad station building survived a move during the addition of a second set of railway tracks. It was renamed more than once and operated until 1973. Friends of the Fairfax Station, Inc. bought the station and turned it into its current incarnation as a museum.

The interior of the railroad station has been restored to its original condition and furnished with items and objects from its operating days. Step through to see where the stationmaster ran the station and where his assistant monitored the trains as they came through. Photographs relating to the station cover the walls, and there’s also a functional model railroad for kids of all ages to enjoy.

Freedom House Museum

The Freedom House Museum is housed in a building that was once part of a large operation used for trafficking Black men, women, and children from 1828 until the start of the Civil War in 1861. The museum shows visitors the reality of slavery and the miseries endured by those individuals who were subjected to less-than-human living and working conditions during the 19th century.

The building is located at 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum recommends visitors are at least eight years old due to the sensitive nature of the museum’s contents. It’s open Thursday through Monday, and you should give yourself at least 1.5 hours to get through all the exhibits.

Come See Us at Koons Woodbridge Hyundai for Your Next Car

At Koons Woodbridge Hyundai, we want you to feel safe and secure as you drive to these and other historical sites near Woodbridge, Virginia. Our website is loaded with the latest Hyundai models for you to check out. After browsing online, feel free to come in and take your chosen vehicle for a test drive. Bring us your current car for a trade-in, and let us help you get into a new Hyundai.


Washington’s Distillery by Jim Bowen is licensed with CC BY 2.0