Blakeley (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Blakeley
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Charles Town, West Virginia |
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| Built | 1820 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004319 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1982 |
Blakeley, also known as the Washington - Chew - Funkhouser House, is a historic home near Charles Town, West Virginia. It was built in 1820 by John Augustine Washington II. He was the great-nephew of George Washington, America's first president.
Blakeley was built around the same time as Claymont Court. Claymont Court was built by John's brother, Bushrod Corbin Washington. John Washington did not try to make Blakeley as grand as Claymont Court. This was because he was going to inherit Mount Vernon, George Washington's famous home, which he did in 1829.
What Blakeley Looks Like
When Blakeley was first built, it was a two-story brick house. It was designed in the Federal style. It had three sections across the front and a wing on the west side. There was also a small porch with one story.
In the 1940s, the house was changed. It became a five-section building. A new two-story porch was added. This porch had Doric columns, a classic Greek style. An oval window was also added above the front door. Inside the main part of the house, there are eight rooms. A central hallway connects them all.
Blakeley's History
After John Augustine Washington died in 1832, his son inherited Blakeley. His son was named Richard Blackburn Washington. In 1844, Richard married his cousin, Christian Washington. She was from Harewood, another historic home.
In 1859, Richard was part of a group of citizens. They helped chase after John Brown's Raiders. John Brown was an abolitionist who fought against slavery. In 1861, Richard's brother, John Augustine Washington III, died. He was fighting for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. John's eight children became orphans. They came to live at Blakeley with Richard and Christian. Richard and Christian already had seven children of their own.
In 1864, Blakeley was badly damaged by a fire. But Richard rebuilt the house. In 1875, Richard had to sell Blakeley. He then moved his family to Harewood.
Later, Louise Fontaine Washington Chew bought the house. She was Richard B. Washington's niece. Her husband, Colonel R. Preston Chew, was a local businessman. He was the president of a company called the Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing and Improvement Company. In 1892, the house was sold again. A local farmer and leader named John Burns bought it.
In 1943, a businessman named Raymond J. Funkhouser bought Blakeley. He started to restore the house. Funkhouser also owned Claymont Court, which was his main home. He felt that a house belonging to the Washington family should look grander. So, he added the two-story porch to Blakeley. This made it look more like Claymont Court. The inside of the house was also carefully restored. It was made to look like it did in the past.
