The Bower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Bower
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Leetown, West Virginia |
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| Built | 1806 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004321 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1982 |
The Bower is an old house in Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA. It was built in 1806. When it was first built, it looked like a Federal style home. Later, after a fire in 1892, it was changed to have Gothic Revival features. The name "The Bower" was used for this spot even earlier, around 1753. Back then, Major General Adam Stephen had a hunting lodge here.
Contents
The Bower's Story
Early Days and First Owners
The land for The Bower was given to Major General Adam Stephen by Lord Fairfax. General Stephen lived at a place called "Bower Lodge" from 1753 to 1772. He then moved to Martinsburg, a town he helped start.
The Bower was later given to his daughter, Ann Stephen. She was married to Alexander Spottswood Dandridge. His first cousin was Martha Washington, who was married to George Washington. In 1791, the property went to Stephen's only grandchild, Adam Stephen Dandridge I. He was the one who built the main house in 1806. In 1833, The Bower was passed down to Adam Stephen Dandridge II.
Famous Visitors and Writers
A writer named John Pendleton Kennedy visited The Bower in 1832. He liked the estate so much that he used it as the setting for his novel, Swallow Barn.
The Civil War at The Bower
During the American Civil War, The Bower became an important place. Major General J.E.B. Stuart of the Confederate army used it as his headquarters. He stayed there from September 28 to October 10, 1862. Generals Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee were also part of his staff there.
A special horse named "Lucy Long" was raised at The Bower. This horse was given as a gift to General Robert E. Lee. He used Lucy Long when his main horse, "Traveller," needed a rest.
Later Family and Poets
Danske Bedinger Dandridge lived at The Bower for some time. She was married to Adam Stephen Dandridge III. Danske was a poet, and her poems were printed in famous magazines like The Century and Harpers. Some people believe her daughter, the artist Violet Dandridge, was born at The Bower.
In the early 1900s, the house became a summer home. Bishop Edmund P. Dandridge, an Episcopal bishop, used it. The Bower is still owned by the same family today.
What The Bower Looks Like
The Bower was built using bricks. It had a design with a large hall in the middle. It was a very big house for its time, with ceilings that were 12-foot (3.7 m) high.
A fire in the late 1800s badly damaged the inside of the house. After the fire, the house was rebuilt. During this time, it was also made larger. This is when the new Gothic Revival style features were added to its look.
