Chatham Manor in Fredericksburg VA

The Chatham Manor is one of the most elegant and historical buildings in the Fredericksburg, VA area. It has been home to many important historical figures including George Washington. He stayed at the Chatham Manor for many years after his elopement with Martha Washington. You’ll glad you read this!

History

Chatham Manor is a historic estate in Stafford, Virginia. It overlooks the Rappahannock River. It was built in 1771 by William Fitzhugh. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a member of the House of Burgesses. His friend George Washington was a frequent visitor.

In the antebellum period, Chatham was home to James Horace Lacy, his wife Betty, and their children. Their family left the property in 1872. It had fallen into disrepair. The final private owner of the property died in 1975. The National Park Service took possession of the estate.

After the Civil War, the Chatham Manor was turned into a hospital for wounded soldiers. Volunteers helped care for the wounded. One of the surgeons was Mary Edwards Walker, who was also a feminist. She was the only woman to receive a médaill of honor.

The estate was damaged severely during the Civil War. Initially, Union soldiers buried the dead on the grounds. But later, the bodies were moved to Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Architecture

Chatham Manor is located in Stafford County, Virginia on the Rappahannock River. It is a Georgian mansion built in the 1770s. The house was constructed on a former slave plantation and has a long history. In the 1920s, the house was restored.

In the 1850s, Chatham served as a hospital and army headquarters during the Civil War. In addition, one bedroom was used by Yankee surgeons during the Battle of Fredericksburg. The grounds and the house were terribly damaged during the war.

After the Civil War, the Lacys sold the property. Then, eight other owners had difficulty keeping it up. Then, the National Park Service bought the property in 1975. Today, Chatham is open to the public as a historic site.

The Chatham Manor Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the house. Visitors can also see the gardens, which were designed by the famous landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman.

The original front of the house faces the Rappahannock River. The view from the house looks across the river to the skyline of Fredericksburg. Visit another area in town here.

Visits by U.S. presidents

Fredericksburg VA is home to a number of historical landmarks and museums. It is also one of the key centers of the American Civil War. A large portion of the town is built upon the Rappahannock River and there are many historic buildings and battlefields. It is an hour’s drive from Washington D.C.

Chatham Manor is a Georgian-style mansion located along the Rappahannock River. It was constructed in 1771 by William Fitzhugh. The building contains various outbuildings and is open to the public.

The house was restored in the 1920s. However, after the war, the Lacy family sold the house to pay taxes. In 1920, Helen and Daniel Devore purchased the property and began to restore it to its former glory.

The house is now a free museum that is open to the public. A guided tour is available. It features period furniture and old-fashioned art. Throughout the interior, dozens of paintings and drawings depict the past.

George Washington’s elopement

When George Washington was young he lived on a farm on the Rappahannock River. He spent his early years there and later visited Fredericksburg. The family farm was just down the river from Chatham Manor.

Chatham Manor is a Georgian-style mansion built in 1771 by William Fitzhugh. Fitzhugh was a wealthy lawyer and planter. He was a friend of George Washington and supported the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary War.

The house was occupied by the Union army for thirteen months during the Civil War. The bodies of about 130 Union soldiers were buried under the lawn. After the war, the bodies were relocated to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Chatham Manor is now part of the National Park Service. It is located on a bluff overlooking the Rappahannock River. The building is open to the public during designated hours. There are five rooms open to the public.

The original front of the house faces the Rappahannock. The view from the terrace is particularly striking. It looks across the river to the skyline of Fredericksburg. Browse next article.

 

 

Driving directions from Excellent Exteriors to Chatham Manor

Driving directions from Chatham Manor to Loriella Park