Stafford County helped the George Washington Foundation celebrate a groundbreaking for the reconstruction of George Washington’s boyhood home on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Ferry Farm in Stafford County. The reconstruction of the home site is the first effort of an expansion that will eventually include a visitor’s center. The home will give visitors, young and old alike, a glimpse into the daily life of the boy who would become the Father of our Country.Â
At the ceremony, Chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors Gary Snellings introduced Supervisor Bob Thomas, in whose district Washington’s boyhood home lies. Mr. Thomas presented the foundation with a check for $470,000, a donation from Stafford. The money will be used to construct a new entrance into Ferry Farm, aligned with the intersection with Ferry Road, across Route 3 from the Foundation’s site. The entrance improvements include construction of a left turn lane from westbound Route 3 into the new entrance for Ferry Farm, a right turn lane from eastbound Route 3 into the facility, and installation of the fourth leg of the signalized intersection. Improvements to this intersection are being designed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The intersection improvements, with a cost estimated at $3.1 million, are funded in large part by the County, and include an additional left turn lane and vehicle storage area on southbound Ferry Road and an extension of the right turn lane from westbound Route 3 onto northbound Ferry Road.
Stafford was able to make the $470,000 donation without spending any tax dollars from citizens due to proceeds resulting from an agreement with the Kenmore Foundation, the precursor to the George Washington Foundation, in 2000. Stafford agreed to convey Ferry Farm and Accakeek Furnace to the Kenmore Foundation, in exchange for reimbursement for the expenses the County had incurred while owning the properties. The Kenmore Foundation paid half the money in 2000 and purchased a U.S. Treasury STRIPS that was worth $409,000 upon its maturity this year. The balance of the $409,000 came from an additional donation of $61,000 from Stafford’s Tourism Fund to bring the total available to $470,000. The County will apply for matching state revenue sharing funds for the additional $470,000 to meet the $940,000 cost of the road improvements. These funds are available to localities that provide money upfront and are not subject to competition with other projects.
Stafford shares a close partnership with the George Washington Foundation in the preservation of Ferry Farm. Ferry Farm was the first real driver of economic tourism in Stafford and its example prompted the establishment of Stafford’s Civil War Park, the Belmont Ferry Farm Trail, and Government Island, home of the stone used to build the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Because Stafford’s historic attractions bring thousands of visitors to Stafford County every year, enriching its economy and spawning jobs and more business, the County commissioned a study of the proposed expansion of Ferry Farm and its impact on Stafford County. The results show that the expansion would produce an additional $100,000 visitors to Stafford County, spending approximately $22 million locally. Ferry Farm is an anchor to Stafford’s historic tourism.
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Prince William County’s plans for an indoor sports complex in Woodbridge face a significant shift following this week’s decision by the Board of County Supervisors to allocate $250,000 for a consultant to determine the best use for the site. The 21.85-acre property near I-95 and the state’s most enormous commuter lot, the Horner Road lot, had been the centerpiece of a proposal to build a large indoor recreation facility to attract travel teams and host major events like graduations.
The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.
Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.
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Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. These amendments address abortion rights, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated felons.
The resolutions on abortion and voting rights passed along party lines, while the marriage equality resolution received bipartisan support with a 24-15 vote. Democrats currently hold a 21-19 majority in the Senate for the four-year terms through December 2027.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot veto constitutional amendments. The process requires these amendments to be approved twice over two years, with a legislative election in between. If approved again, the proposed amendments will appear on the 2026 ballot for voters’ consideration.
Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
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What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
