Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum facts for kids
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Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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(2007)
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 415 N. Braddock Street Winchester, Virginia |
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| Built | 1861 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Winchester Historic District (ID80004318) |
| NRHP reference No. | 67000027 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 28, 1967 |
| Designated NHL | May 28, 1967 |
| Designated CP | March 4, 1980 |
The Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum is a historic house in Winchester, Virginia. It is located in the city's Historic District. This special place was once the home and office of a famous general, Stonewall Jackson, during the American Civil War. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about his life and the important events that happened there.
A Look Back at the House's History
This interesting house was built in 1854. A local dentist named William McP. Fuller had it built. He called it "Alta Vista," which means "high view," because it had a great view of the hills. The house was designed in a style called Gothic Revival. This style often includes pointed arches and decorative details.
From Home to Headquarters
In 1856, the house was sold to Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Tilghman Moore. He was a commander in the Virginia Militia. Later, during the American Civil War, Colonel Moore offered his home to Major General Stonewall Jackson. Jackson was a very important general for the Confederate States Army.
General Jackson moved into the house in November 1861. He had just taken command of the Valley District of the Department of Northern Virginia. His wife, Mary Anna, joined him in December 1861.
Planning Important Campaigns
While living in this house, General Jackson planned many important military actions. He worked on defenses for the Shenandoah Valley. He also planned campaigns, like the Romney Expedition. The Jacksons lived in the house until March 1862. Then, General Jackson left Winchester to start his famous Valley Campaign.
The Jacksons really enjoyed their time in Winchester. They even called it their "winter home." They hoped to live there permanently after the Civil War ended.
General Jackson wrote a letter to his wife, Anna, shortly after he arrived. He described the house:
The situation is beautiful, the building is of a cottage style and contains six rooms. I have two rooms, one above the other. The lower room, or office, has a matting on the floor, a large fine table, six chairs, and a piano. The walls are papered with elegant gilt paper. I don't remember to have ever seen a more beautiful papering, and there are five paintings hanging on the walls. … The upper room is neat, but not a full story and … remarkable for being heated in a peculiar manner, by a flue from the office below. Through the blessing of our ever-kind Heavenly Father, I am quite comfortable. – Letter from Jackson to his wife Anna, November 16, 1861
Becoming a Museum Today
In the 1960s, the house was bought and turned into a museum. It now displays many items that belonged to General Jackson. These items help visitors imagine what life was like during the Civil War.
Interestingly, a descendant of Colonel Moore was the famous actress Mary Tyler Moore. She helped pay for the house's restoration. This included making new wallpaper that looked just like the original paper Jackson described in his letter.
The house was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1967. This means it is a place of great historical importance to the United States.
See also
- Stonewall Jackson House, in Lexington, Virginia
- Winchester in the Civil War
- Valley District
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Virginia
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Winchester, Virginia
