Westmoreland County Museum
the original museum
The Westmoreland County Museum opened in 1941 and became the first museum to open regularly in the Northern Neck. The museum was built as a replica of the commemorative house at George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The museum was built to display the portrait of William Pitt (Lord Chatham), painted by Charles Willson Peale in 1768.
William Pitt was an instrumental member of Parliament, responsible for the repeal of the Stamp Act. Major objection to this tax was voiced in Westmoreland County by way of the Leedstown Resolves, a document signed by 115 of Westmoreland County’s land-owning residents including the Lee, Washington, and Monroe families.
View of the Original Museum
Hours: Temporarily Closed
43 Court Square, Montross, VA 2252
The Pitt painting began Charles Peale’s 60-year career as America’s most famous portrait artist. The museum houses eighteen other portraits honoring important residents of Westmoreland County throughout its long history. The museum provides numerous exhibits and programs to remind visitors of the important role played by the county and its people in Virginia’s and the nation’s history.
The Westmoreland County Museum is also the location of the Presidents’ Garden, the first garden designed by Charles Gillette in the Northern Neck and a project of the Garden Club of Virginia, honoring Virginia’s eight U.S. presidents.
The President's garden
In 1941, the County asked the Westmoreland Garden Club to landscape the grounds around the museum. The garden took much planning and fundraising plus help from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The garden, charming in its formal simplicity, was designed by Charles F. Gillette, Richmond Landscape architect. Our garden contains marble busts of George Washington, James Monroe, and James Madison (all born in the Norhtern Neck), plus a sundial in the center with the names of all eight president’s born in Virginia.
The marble busts are the work of sculptor, Attilio Piccirilli. Our Presidents’ Garden was dedicated on June 15, 1948, along with the Westmoreland County Museum.
