Waterford Foundation

Exploring the Historic Village

jump straight to touring information

When you stroll through the streets of the Waterford National Historic Landmark in Waterford, Virginia, you’ll take a step back in time. First settled by Quakers from Pennsylvania, it is an extraordinary collection of 18th, 19th, and 20th-century buildings set within 1,420 acres of rolling farmland located just one hour from Washington, DC.

The Village’s homes, places of business, and the rolling fields that surround them look today much as they did in the early 20th century. With its rich heritage in furniture manufacturing, farming, milling, Civil War actions, and African-American life, Waterford is a wonderful place to visit!

Civil War

Waterford has a rich Civil War history. The village was an island of resistance during the war, when it sided with the Union despite its location in Confederate Virginia. This was due to two large reasons: the large Quaker influence in Waterford, and that the area was more financially connected with Baltimore rather than Alexandria. Waterford residents- including Quakers- established the only independent Union calvary raised in the Commonwealth to defend their country and home. Two battles including this calvary happened here in the Village of Waterford- Battle at the Baptist Church and the Battle of Walker’s Hill.

African-American History

Waterford has always had a strong African-American history, even prior to the Civil War. By 1830, one in four households were headed by free Blacks. That does not mean that slavery and segregation did not exist in the Village. You can still see some landmarks of the African American Community in Waterford today- including the Second Street School and the John Wesley Community Church.

Stops to go see:

  • Waterford Mill- home to a historic milling operation that helped build the town that was open till the 1930s
  • John Wesley Community Church- Built in 1891 by and for the African-American Methodist Episcopal Congregation, the John Wesley Community Church served as the African American church in Waterford till the 1960s. The John Wesley Community Church is currently under a restoration project until 2026.
  • Post Office- Send a postcard from Waterford’s post office- the oldest Virginia post office in continuous operation at the same site.
  • Corner Store- This historic general store built in c.1900 is on the same site as an earlier and smaller general store.
  • Jail- Peek into the village jail which housed mischief-makers from the early 1800s until 1936.
  • Chair Factory- this building is home to the Hough Chair Manufacturing and Undertaking business, before wearing many hats including as town hall, a temperance hall, grocery store, gas station, and barber shop. It is now home to two artists studios.
  • Second Street School- the Second Street School is the one-room African American schoolhouse, originally built in 1867 by the local Black community, Freedmen’s Bureau, and support from the Quakers. It served as the African-American school in Waterford until 1957.
  • Waterford Union of Churches Cemetery- Pop into this historic cemetery that is the final resting place for many congregants in Waterford.
  • Waterford Old School- The Waterford Old School was the white school in Waterford until Waterford Elementary was constructed. It is now the Waterford Foundation offices and community center.

Ways to Explore the Village:

  • Self Guided Village Tour: Stroll through the historic village and see a remarkable variety of early dwellings, spring houses, barns, former shops, and 19th century churches. Download our Self-Guided Walk Tour Booklet here or pick one up in the Waterford Foundation offices to enjoy the Landmark’s history.
  • Guided Walking Tour: The Waterford Foundation’s experienced docents lead regularly scheduled walking tours on different themes of Waterford history- including general history, women’s history, African American history, crafting history, and more! You can check for walking tours open to the public on our events page. Walking tour tickets are $20 per person.
  • Private Guided Walking Tours: With advance notice, the Waterford Foundation can accommodate private group tours of the historic Waterford village. You can reserve your private group tour by going to this link or contacting the Waterford Foundation office at oldschool@waterfordfoundation.org or by calling 540-882-3018. Walking tour tickets are $20 per person.

Trails and Tours

Come explore the natural side of the Waterford National Historic Landmark out on the Phillips Farm Trail Network! Learn more about the different trail options below:

  • Phillips Farm Interpretive Trail: Walk the 1.5 mile Interpretive Trail that connects to the back of the Village and leads out to the historic dam that helped run the mills in Waterford. The trail details the natural and cultural history on the property, with numbered posts corresponding to points of interest. Get the guide to the Phillips Farm Interpretive Trail here. The Phillips Farm Interpretive Trail is accessible behind the Waterford Mill (40105 Main Street, Waterford VA) and the Second Street School (15611 Second Street, Waterford VA). This trail is an easy/medium difficulty.
  • Phillips Farm Interpretive Pull Off: Get an introduction to the Phillips Farm at the Phillips Farm Interpretive Pull Off! The Interpretive Pull off is across the street from the Waterford Treatment Plant (40024 Old Wheatland Rd, Waterford VA)
  • Western Trail: Hike the approximately one mile Western trail to view the historic village and surrounding farmland from higher vantage point! The Western Trail is accessible at the Phillips Farm Interpretive Pull-off (across from the Waterford Treatment Plant: 40024 Old Wheatland Rd, Waterford VA). This trail is a medium difficulty.
  • Village Walking Tour Booklet: The Phillips Farm Interpretive Trail is connected to the Village of Waterford Walking Tour Booklet. Walk through Waterford on a self-guided tour and learn more about the historic buildings all around you! The walking tour booklet is available to download here and in person at the Waterford Foundation offices.

Area Businesses

Although we keep this list up to date we encourage you to check with the businesses for the most up to date offerings and hours.

Local Retail and Dining:

Explore the Surrounding Area and Accommodations:

Frequently Asked Questions

Parking: Street parking is available throughout the Village, and non-street parking is available at the Waterford Old School at 40222 Fairfax Street, Waterford VA

Foundation Offices The Waterford Foundation office is located at the Waterford Old School. We are open to the public Tuesday-Friday 10am-2pm, and by appointment.

Bathrooms: Public bathrooms are available at the Waterford Old School when the building is open.

Phillips Farm Access: The Phillips Farm Main Trail is accessible behind the Waterford Mill (40105 Main Street) and the Second Street School (15611 Second Street). The Western Trail is available at the Interpretive Pull-Off (across from the water treatment plant at 40024 Old Wheatland Rd, Waterford VA)

Accessibility: Waterford is a historic village with brick walkways and hills. Most of your visit will be outside. Restrooms at the Old School are accessible. Shuttle service is available for the mobility impaired during the Waterford Fair in October

Are all the buildings open? Waterford remains a living village and many of the buildings are privately owned. The Waterford Foundation owns some structures in the Village that are open during Waterford Foundation events like the Waterford Fair, Open Houses, and Walking Tours. For more information about these, check out the events page or contact the Waterford Foundation office.