Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lee-Fendall House
City of Alexandria Est. 1749
Revolutionary War hero Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, purchased several lots on North Washington Street in Alexandria soon after the War for Independence. He lived with his family in a house on Cameron Street, and later sold a lot at the corner of Oronoco Street, four blocks north, to his cousin Philip Richard Fendall. From 1785 until 1903, the large residence Fendall built on the lot served as home to 37 members of the Lee family. This period of residency was interrupted during the Civil War in 1863, when the Union Army seized the property for use as a hospital for its wounded soldiers. The first known successful blood transfusion in America took place at this site.
In 1903, Robert Downham, a prominent Alexandria haberdasher and liquor purveyor, resided with his family in the house for 31 years, selling it in 1937 to John L. Lewis. As President of the United Mine Workers and the founder of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, Lewis was one of the most powerful and controversial labor leaders in American history. He lived this house during the height of his power, and until his death in 1969. The restored Lee-Fendall House and Garden is a period house museum that is open to the public.
Erected by City of Alexandria.
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Location. 38° 48.306′ N, 77° 2.808′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker is at the intersection of King Street and North Washington Street (Virginia Route 400), on the right when traveling west on King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 631 King Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Timberman Brothers (a few steps from this marker); George Washington Memorial Parkway (within shouting distance of this marker); The Alexandria Lyceum (within shouting distance of this marker); Methodist Protestant Church Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Retail in Alexandria (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Bernard Stier, O.D. (1930-2005)
Also see . . . Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. (Submitted on April 2, 2018.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
