Dumfries Real Estate Area Information and Homes for Sale in Prince William County, VA.


	Dumfries Homes for Sale

Dumfries

The citizens of Dumfries are rightly proud of their community’s long past. The Weems-Botts Museum provides a record of the town’s early history, particularly the days when Dumfries consisted of profitable plantations and shipping outfits. The museum is named after Parson Weems and Benjamin Botts. Weems once operated his bookstore out of the now-restored museum building. Legend has it that Weems would play his fiddle in front of the store to bring in new customers. He is better known for popularizing several anecdotes about the life of George Washington, including the story of the cherry tree. Benjamin Botts was a member of the successful defense team for Aaron Burr, who was accused of treason in the early 19th century. The museum building was restored in the early 1970s and opened to the public in 1975.

Two other famous historic sites are located within 15 miles of Dumfries: Gunston Hall Plantation and George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Gunston Hall was the property of George Mason, an early American thinker whose ideas shaped many state constitutions. Mason’s home, built in the late 1750s, and other reconstructed buildings on the site provide visitors the opportunity to learn about the 18th-century plantation lifestyle. The 550-acre site is a National Historic Landmark.

George Washington’s estate in Mount Vernon encompasses 8,000 acres and five separate farms. Remarkably, the estate was designed as a self-contained community. Everything necessary to run the farms was produced on-site. The Mansion House farm consisted of the 500 acres which surrounded Washington’s home, complete with woods, gardens, meadows, walkways and scenic tree groupings. All of these areas remained entirely separate from the working areas and service lanes. More than one million people visit Washington’s former home each year to look at the original plans and photographs and tour the site.

Today, the quality of life in Prince William County is very good, due to the beauty of the natural surroundings and residents’ belief in the importance of history, art and education. The local economy consists of several sectors, including retail trade; education, health and social services; arts, entertainment and travel; professional services; and construction. The region enjoys an active business community and a strong local economy, as local governments seek out partnerships that will benefit the community. Businesses are encouraged to be active in public schools, to provide positive experiences and growth opportunities for students.

Education is a very high priority for Dumfries residents. The local school district has been recognized by the U.S. Senate with a Medallion of Excellence for its innovative educational programs. George Mason University, George Washington University and American University provide quality post-secondary education for college students within 35 miles of Dumfries.