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, also known as Kenmore Plantation, is a historic house in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was built in the 1770s. This house was once the home of Fielding Lewis and Elizabeth Washington Lewis. Elizabeth was the sister of America's first president, George Washington.
Kenmore is special because of its amazing plaster designs on the ceilings. These designs are found in many rooms on the first floor. In 1970, Kenmore was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important place in American history.
Today, Kenmore is a museum. The George Washington Foundation takes care of it. You can visit Kenmore for guided tours. The Foundation also owns Ferry Farm, which is where George Washington lived when he was a child.
Contents
Kenmore's Story
Building a Home
The Kenmore house was finished in 1776. It was built for Fielding and Elizabeth Washington Lewis. Fielding Lewis was a successful businessman and farmer. He grew crops like tobacco, wheat, and corn.
The Lewis family used the labor of enslaved people to run their large farm. More than 80 enslaved people worked on their 1300-acre property. Some of them worked inside the house. The back of the mansion faced the Rapahannock River. This made it easy to transport goods.
Changes Over Time
Elizabeth's mother, Mary Ball Washington, loved to visit Kenmore. She was buried on the property. After Elizabeth Washington Lewis passed away, her family sold the house in 1797. A special memorial was built for Mary Ball Washington in 1894.
In 1819, the Samuel Gordon family bought Kenmore. They named it "Kenmore" after their family's home in Scotland. Later owners in the 1800s helped fix the beautiful plaster ceilings.
Kenmore 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 were heading to Richmond at the end of the war.
Preserving History
In 1922, the Kenmore Foundation bought the property. They wanted to save and protect it. Two smaller buildings next to the main house were rebuilt. The gardens were also restored in 1924 by Charles Gillette.
Today, the Kenmore house and its rebuilt buildings stand on three acres. It is located at 1201 Washington Avenue. 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.
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