Old Alexandria Living 1785-1969 - Lee-Fendall House

House Museum

Oct 7

The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden was constructed 1785 and is located in Old Town Alexandria. The house and its collections present a timeline of nineteenth and early twentieth century history and family life.

The house, built by Light Horse Harry Lee’s cousin businessman Phillip Richard Fendall, and was home to several generations of the Lee family from 1785 until 1903. During the American Civil War the property was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. In 1903, the house was acquired by a prominent liquor purveyor who was forced to downsize with the onset of prohibition. Labor leader John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers lived here from 1937 until his death in 1969.

Today the Lee-Fendall house is a historic house owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation. Liz conducted my tour and she was great, so personable and informative!

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

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The front main entrance hall

The archway in the main hall was inspired by classical architecture, with its Doric pilasters.

The museum exhibits one of the largest public collections of furniture manufactured by the Green Furniture Company, who operated one of the largest furniture factories in Alexandria during the nineteenth century.

The beautiful free-standing spiral staircase from the first to the third floor

This is dining room where records show George Washington dined in the home at least nine times.

Furnishings on display include a large collection of Lee family items and period pieces produced by local and regional craftsmen.

The building has been a house museum in 1974

The fireplace in the dining room

A piano and settee in the north parlor

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A stereo viewer in the north parlor

The fireplace and furnishings in the north parlor, the most formal gathering room.

During the American Civil War, the Union Army turned this property into a hospital for the wounded soldiers known as the Grosvenor Branch Hospital between 1863 and 1865.

The service bells in the kitchen area

A second floor bedroom

Another second floor bedroom

Part the the exhibit that examines the life and legacy of John L. Lewis, one of America’s most powerful, innovative and controversial labor leaders and long-serving president of the United Mine Workers of America.

Lewis lived in the Lee-Fendall House with his family from 1937 until 1969, during the height of his career in the labor movement.

John L. Lewis, the famous labor and the last resident owner of the home in the 1950’s.

An exhibit of some of the tools used at the house

The staircase leading from the second to the third floor

The garden-facing facade

The house was built in the telescopic style. A telescope-style has multiple sections that decease in size looking resembling a telescope.

Looking into the center hall from the back enclosed porch

The front entrance

The front facade

The Potts-Fitzhugh House (Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home) is across the street from the Lee-Fendall house at number 607. The area was known as “Lee Corner” because several prop ties in the area were owned by extended Lee family.

What you should know:

You can buy an Alexandria “Key to the City” attraction pass for $20 at the Visitors Center, and it will include admission to some of the historic sites including the Lee-Fendall House.
Check the website for days and times of operation.
There are guided tours of the house and self-guided tours of the garden.
You could spend 1 to 1 1/2 hours here, depending on the tour guide.

Location:

614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, Virginia

For more information: Lee-Fendall House