Woodlawn Mansion (Fairfax Va.)

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Woodlawn was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 1799, he gave the site to his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Lewis’ new bride, Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis, Martha’s granddaughter, in hopes of keeping Nelly close to Mount Vernon. The newly-married couple built the Georgian/Federal house designed by William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol.

In 1846, the entire plantation was sold to Quaker timber merchants, who purposefully operated the farm plantation with free labor, making a statement in Virginia on the eve of the Civil War.Woodlawn, the first site operated by the National Trust, was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 1799, he gave the site to his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Lewis’ new bride, Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis, Martha’s granddaughter, in hopes of keeping Nelly close to Mount Vernon. The newly-married couple built the Georgian/Federal house designed by William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol.Woodlawn, the first site operated by the National Trust, was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 1799, he gave the site to his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Lewis’ new bride, Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis, Martha’s granddaughter, in hopes of keeping Nelly close to Mount Vernon. The newly-married couple built the Georgian/Federal house designed by William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol.

In 1846, the entire plantation was sold to Quaker timber merchants, who purposefully operated the farm plantation with free labor, making a statement in Virginia on the eve of the Civil War.

At the turn of the twentieth century, two separate owners, Paul Kester and Elizabeth Sharpe, lovingly restored the property using the best Colonial Revival architects and builders. Senator Oscar Underwood from Alabama, an uncompromising advocate for civil rights, lived at the mansion from 1925 until his death in 1929.

In 1846, the entire plantation was sold to Quaker timber merchants, who purposefully operated the farm plantation with free labor, making a statement in Virginia on the eve of the Civil War.

At the turn of the twentieth century, two separate owners, Paul Kester and Elizabeth Sharpe, lovingly restored the property using the best Colonial Revival architects and builders. Senator Oscar Underwood from Alabama, an uncompromising advocate for civil rights, lived at the mansion from 1925 until his death in 1929.

At the turn of the twentieth century, two separate owners, Paul Kester and Elizabeth Sharpe, lovingly restored the property using the best Colonial Revival architects and builders. Senator Oscar Underwood from Alabama, an uncompromising advocate for civil rights, lived at the mansion from 1925 until his death in 1929.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bailey, Worth. Miscellaneous broadsides and brochures from state and local historical societies [manuscript] University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Woodlawn Plantation Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Stewart, Francis B., Mrs.,. Mrs. Francis B. Stewart collection [manuscript], 1745-1918. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Case Files, ca. 1827–ca. 1828 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Motion Picture Films, ca. 1915–ca. 1959 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Fairfax County (Va.). Papers, ca. 1743-1793. William & Mary Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Fairfax County (Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Lewis, Lawrence, 1767-1839. person
associatedWith Lewis, Mary Eliza Angela, 1813-1839. person
ownerOf Lewis, Nelly Custis, 1779-1852 person
associatedWith Lewis, Nelly Custis, 1779-1852 person
Mount Vernon (Va. : Estate) corporateBody
associatedWith Stewart, Francis B., Mrs., person
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799 person
associatedWith Woodlawn Mansion (Fairfax Va.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Fairfax County VA US
Mount Vernon VA US
Subject
Plantations
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Establishment 1799

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