Kenmore (Fredericksburg, Virginia) facts for kids
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Kenmore
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Kenmore Plantation, 2010
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1201 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, Virginia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.4 ha) |
| Built | 1770s |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Washington Avenue Historic District (ID02000518) |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000325 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated CP | May 16, 2002 |
Kenmore is a historic house in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is also known as Kenmore Plantation. The house is located at 1201 Washington Avenue. It was built in the 1770s.
Kenmore was the home of Fielding Lewis and Betty Washington Lewis. Betty was the sister of George Washington, America's first president. Kenmore is the only building left from their large, 1300-acre property.
The house is famous for its beautiful plaster designs. These designs decorate the ceilings in many rooms on the first floor. In 1970, Kenmore was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States.
Today, Kenmore is a museum. The George Washington Foundation owns and runs it. You can take guided tours there every day. The Foundation also owns Ferry Farm, where George Washington lived as a child.
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History of Kenmore
Building the House
The Kenmore house was finished in 1776. It was built for Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis. Fielding Lewis was a successful businessman and farmer. He grew crops like tobacco, wheat, and corn on his land.
The Lewises used the forced labor of over 80 enslaved people on their 1300-acre farm. These enslaved people worked in the fields and inside the house. The back of the house faced the Rapahannock River. This made it easy to transport goods by boat.
Later Owners and Changes
Betty's mother, Mary Ball Washington, enjoyed visiting Kenmore. She was buried on the property. After Betty Washington Lewis died, her family sold the house in 1797. A memorial was built for Mary Ball Washington in 1894.
The Samuel Gordon family bought Kenmore in 1819. They named it "Kenmore" after their family's home in Scotland. Other owners in the 1800s helped fix the plaster ceilings.
During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Kenmore was used as a hospital. This happened after the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. Union soldiers also used the house when they marched towards Richmond at the end of the war.
Preservation Efforts
In 1922, the Kenmore Foundation bought the property. They wanted to save and protect it. They rebuilt two smaller buildings next to the main house. The gardens were also restored in 1924 by Charles Gillette.
Today, the house and its rebuilt buildings sit on three acres of land. Kenmore was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1970. It is also part of the Washington Avenue Historic District.
See also
