Kenmore

Kenmore, one of the finest 18th century houses in the Fredericksburg area. The house was built for George Washington's sister, by her loving husband fielding Lewis. The land was purchased two years after Betty and fielding became married. Lewis had the land surveyed by her brother George, and then fielding inherited adjoining land from his father.

Since Kenmore was a plantation. There were fields of tobacco, wheat, cotton and even a ship yard, Since Kenmore was a plantation. The owner fielding Lewis was a predominant citizen of Spotsylvania County.

The only building that remains is the main house. Although there were a kitchen, a dairy, a laundry, a meat house, store houses, farm buildings, and slave quarters. There were the Lewis's and their four children and also eighty slaves and 60 indentured servants.

Once Betty Lewis Washington died, the plantation was sold and purchased by the Gordon family. Who named the subtle plantation "Kenmore" after there Scottish ancestral home. They also added the slate roof which still stands today after occupying it through the civil war.

In December, of 1862, the house fell to the effects of The Battle of Fredericksburg, as did the majority of the Fredericksburg area. In May of 1864 Kenmore mansion became victim to the aftermath of the battle of wilderness. It was used as a hospital for thousands of soldiers, and even had a couple hundred people buried but then later taken to a real cemetery.

While Kenmore was being redone in the early 20th century architects found a cannon ball lodged in the wall, even many other things.

Kenmore is a very interesting place, it has many features and even original plaster form the 18th century. I would recommend going out and seeing this mark of history.

Sources: http://www.fredericksburgvirginia.net/kenmore.asp?parent_name=attractions

http://kenmore.org/kenmore_homepage.html