After you've settled in at the Holly Court Inn take a stroll around town and visit some of the more notable historic residences such as the Cooper-Sanders-Wickersham House, where Jefferson Davis formally dissolved the Confederacy on May 5, 1865, and the Robert Toombs House, home of the senator whose famous words "Defend yourselves, the enemy is at the door.."became a turning point in history as Toombs used his influence to lead the state of Georgia into secession from the Union and ultimately to war. The nearby Callaway Plantation is located on 56 acres and includes a hewn log cabin constructed in 1785 as well as the manor house and several other historic buildings.

Near the end of the Civil War over half a million dollars in Confederate gold, ended up in Washington. Some of this fortune was seized by Jefferson Davis and some was captured by Union soldiers. The remaining gold is believed to be buried in Wilkes County.

To go even further back in history visit the Kettle Creek Battlefield located eight miles outside of Washington. There you will find an historical marker, a monument, and several marked graves to commemorate the decisive battle that is said to have ended the British domination of Georgia. It was the only major Patriot victory in Georgia during the Revolutionary War. For more information, and an interesting destination unto itself, visit the Washington Historical Museum, located in a house built in 1857. The Museum is home to many Indian artifacts and Civil War relics as well as a re-creation of 19th century home life. There is also the Mary Willis Library which was founded in 1888 and was the first free library in the state of Georgia.