Fredericksburg Square is more than "just" a location or event site. It is an authentically historic living space in which guests are surrounded by history and style too often missing from today's concrete and tile structures. At Fredericksburg Square guests relax while enjoying that special feeling of being in touch with the past. Since 1837 the passion and imagination of Historic Downtown Fredericksburg have been interwoven with this grande facility which combines the exclusivity of a private club with the glamour of exquisite ballroom spaces and even a stage to lend just a hint of mystery. Add modern amenities, fine food and first class service together with off street parking and you have the perfect site for that special event at Fredericksburg Square, where memories are made for a lifetime.

Most endearing were the nostalgic stories told by so many elderly visitors who reminisced about their teen dances and wedding receptions held in the building so many years ago. The owners rethought their business plan to take into account the “best use” approach for the building. The business plan for retail use was put on hold. The oak hardwood floors were sanded, stained and refinished, new chandeliers and fixtures were added and every square foot was refurbished to include converting a sales counter into a bar. In 1998 the Washington Room, first of what would become two ballrooms was ready for the public.

Demand for receptions and parties grew and the heretofore neglected Elk’s meeting room on the upper level was also needed. It too was refurbished in 1999 with a metal ceiling, chandeliers and refinished walls and oak floors to become the smaller but no less opulent Jefferson Room.

Retail sales had now been relegated to the lower third floor level and demand for wedding receptions and private parties had clearly placed the original business on the back burner. By 2000 the lower level had also been remodeled and became the Madison Room displacing the original business completely.

Until 1999 the owners had rented out space for events and used a combination of approaches for food and event services to include patrons finding their own caterers and DJ’s. The net result was inconsistency in the quality in these services. In order to address these issues the owners undertook the preparation and service of food and beverages for receptions and private parties in 1999 utilizing a full service package approach.

The result was that Fredericksburg Square’s reputation for fine food, service and ambiance spread rapidly. Being voted the “Best Facility for Wedding Reception” in 2001 and 2002 underscored the success of the new approach with the accent on quality. But, just as the owners had listened to elderly patrons about how the building could best serve a community need numerous requests were now being heard about dining. The most common questions and comments related to the fact that the only way to enjoy our exceptional food was to be invited to a wedding reception or private event. In addition, the growing number of events was exceeding the ability of the owners to keep up with the demands on their time in the kitchen.