The Chimneys (Fredericksburg, Virginia) facts for kids
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The Chimneys
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The Chimneys (1771) in Fredericksburg, Virginia
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 623 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1771 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002109 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1975 |
The Chimneys is a very old and special house in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was built around 1771. The house gets its name from the large stone chimneys on each end. This beautiful home is built in the Georgian style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 1975.
Inside, you can see amazing decorative wood carvings. These include fancy moldings, detailed woodwork, and paneling. These designs show how houses were built and decorated back then. The carvings on the mantelpiece (above the fireplace) and around the doors and windows are especially cool.
How The Chimneys Was Built
The Chimneys house has a simple layout. There are two rooms on each side of a central hallway. This two-story house is made with strong, heavy wood timbers. These timbers are joined together using a special technique called mortise and tenon joints. Hardwood pegs hold them securely in place. Each timber even has a Roman numeral carved into it!
The spaces between the wall studs (the vertical wooden pieces that form the walls) are filled with bricks. This makes the walls strong. Fredericksburg was a busy port city in the 1700s. Because of this, the house's hipped roof was built using methods common in shipbuilding at the time. The roof is held up by three strong king post trusses, which are like big wooden supports.
The House's History
It's not completely clear who first owned The Chimneys. Many people believe John Glassell (1731-1806), a local merchant, built it. Glassell came from Galloway, Scotland in the 1770s. He bought land in Fredericksburg from Charles Yates. However, some researchers think Yates might have built the house before Glassell bought the land.
During the American Revolution, John Glassell was a loyalist. This meant he supported the British king, not the American colonists. He went back to Scotland in 1775 and never returned. The house then went to William Glassell, who John had given special permission to handle his affairs. An insurance paper from 1792 shows William as the owner.
In the 1800s, The Chimneys was bought and sold many times. One famous person who lived there as a child was Ellen Lewis Herndon "Nell" Arthur (1837-1880). She later became the wife of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur.
In 1966, the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation bought the house. For a while, they rented it out. Then, in 1975, the Foundation moved its museum and offices into The Chimneys.
Later, in 1982, William Vakos bought and fixed up the house. He sold it to Robert Mitchell III in 1985. In 2000, Tommy Mitchell (who is not related to Robert) became the owner. Since its renovation, several restaurants have operated out of The Chimneys.
Making The Chimneys New Again
In 1982, the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation sold The Chimneys to William Vakos. He got permission to turn the building into a restaurant. During the renovation, the outside wood (weatherboarding) was repainted in its original colors. Porches were added to the back and front of the house. A two-story porch was built at the front. A beautiful veranda (like a long porch) was added, looking out over an English garden.
Inside, the plumbing, electrical systems, and heating were all updated. Before any changes were made, everything had to be approved by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation.
