We invite you to join us for a truly special and meaningful Memorial Day event, where we come together as a community to remember and honor the legacy of Hugh Mercer. This year, we also recognize the tricentennial of his birth in 1726.
The commemoration will take place with a special wreath-laying ceremony on Monday, May 25th at 1 p.m. at the Mercer Monument on Washington Avenue. Hugh Mercer was not only a Revolutionary War hero who served valiantly as a brigadier general under the leadership of George Washington, but he was also a dedicated physician who practiced in Fredericksburg. His commitment to our nation’s freedom was unwavering, and he made the ultimate sacrifice at the historic Battle of Princeton.
This is a free event and will feature our guest speaker, Ethan Burgess, who will share insights on Mercer’s life and legacy. Ethan Burgess grew up in the Ferry Farm neighborhood and studied history at Longwood University. In 2018, he developed an interest in public history by giving tours at the Rising Sun Tavern. He served as Site Manager in 2019 and returned to the Washington Heritage Museums as Membership & Office Manager from 2022 to 2024. He currently works at Stratford Hall as Director of Communications and serves as Assistant Secretary for Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4 and Vice Chair of the Fredericksburg Memorials Advisory Commission.
For your comfort, we suggest that you bring a lawn chair.
