History and Genealogy Center for Lancaster and Virginia's Northern Neck. Discover our museum exhibits, historic buildings, research library, educational programs, gift shop and bookstore. Located in the heart of Lancaster Court House Historic District.
Founded in 1958, our nonprofit, volunteer-based historical organization was named in honor of Mary Ball Washington who was born in Lancaster County and became the mother of George Washington. We now operate as the Lancaster Virginia Historical Society. Our museum complex has changing exhibits on local topics and includes the 1797 Clerk of Court Office, 1820s Old Jail, and c. 1830 Lancaster House, surrounding the original courthouse green from when the county seat was established here in 1742. (Note: Mary Ball did not live at this site.) The modern research library contains about 10,000 books, periodicals, and files with information on county court records, birth/death/marriage records, family genealogies, regional history subjects, and more. Our card catalog can be searched online at www.mbwm.org.
To discover, collect, preserve, understand and interpret the history of Lancaster and surrounding counties of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the enjoyment and educational benefit of all residents, succeeding generations and visitors to the area.
