Presidential History is Just Around the Corner

As spring approaches, try to make time for a visit to the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden at 604 Oronoco Street. This beautiful home has a lot of history within its walls, and the garden, which includes a rose garden, herb garden, and boxwoods is a lovely restful respite from traffic and construction.

The house was built in 1789 by members of two prominent local families, the Lees of Virginia and the Fendalls of Maryland. Harry "Light Horse" Lee sold the lot to Phillip Fendall in 1784. Mary and Phillip Fendall were close friends of Martha and George Washington and the Washingtons dined frequently at the Lee-Fendall House as did the Fendalls at Mount Vernon. Fendall and Washington were both friends and business partners, working together to create a prosperous merchant community in Alexandria. Between 1785 and 1903, the house has been home to 37 members of the Lee family. It has also been home to enslaved and free African-American servants and convalescing Union soldiers.

The Lee-Fendall House was sold to Robern Downham in 1903. Downham subsequently sold the property in 1937 to John Lewellyn Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers Union of America. Lewis, a powerful and controversial labor leader, interacted closely with several American presidents including Roosevelt, Truman, and Johnson. In 1964, Lewis was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor by President Johnson (photo). Lewis remained in the house until his death in 1969.

The house was purchased in 1974 by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation and has been a House Museum since then. Museum Director Amanda Roper sees the staff's role as "to educate our community on our shared past". The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1979.

Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Sunday until 4 pm. For more information, check their website www.leefendallhouse.org, or call 571-982-4751.