Central Office District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Stewart-Lee House
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009
1. Stewart-Lee House Marker
Inscription.
Stewart-Lee House. . Built in 1844 for Norman Stewart, a Scottish tobacco merchant, the house was rented from his nephew, John Stewart, by Gen. Robert E. Lee's family during the Civil War. Following Lee's surrender at Appomattox, he lived here for just over two months. In 1893, John Stewart's widow and daughters donated the house to the Virginia Historical Society, which occupied it until 1958. Subsequently, it was used by the Museum of the Confederacy and Historic Richmond Foundation. The building, the sole survivor of Stewart's Row, is one of the finest Greek Revival town houses in the city.
Built in 1844 for Norman Stewart, a Scottish tobacco merchant, the house was rented from his nephew, John Stewart, by Gen. Robert E. Lee's family during the Civil War. Following Lee's surrender at Appomattox, he lived here for just over two months. In 1893, John Stewart's widow and daughters donated the house to the Virginia Historical Society, which occupied it until 1958. Subsequently, it was used by the Museum of the Confederacy and Historic Richmond Foundation. The building, the sole survivor of Stewart's Row, is one of the finest Greek Revival town houses in the city.
Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-44.)
Location. 37° 32.393′ N, 77° 26.218′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Central Office District. Marker is at the intersection of East Franklin Street and North 7th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Franklin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
Regarding Stewart-Lee House. ...Brady photographed Lee on the porch of his home in Richmond shortly after the surrender. As he recalled in 1891, "It was supposed that after his defeat it would be preposterous to ask him to sit, but I thought that to be the time for the historical picture. He allowed me to come to his house and photograph him on his back porch in several situations. Of course I had known him since the Mexican War when he was upon Gen. Scott's staff, and my request was not as from an intruder". www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/gallery/61gal.html
The residence of the family of General Robert E. Lee
1864-1865
and to which he retired
after Appomattox
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009
4. Stewart-Lee House
circa 1865
5. Richmond, Va. Residence of Gen. Robert E. Lee (707 East Franklin Street)
Library of Congress LC-B811- 3288
circa 1936
6. Norman Stewart House, 707 East Franklin Street.
Early home of the Virginia Historical Society. Library of Congress HABS VA,44-RICH,23-
Photographed By Bill Welsch, January 18, 2007
7. Stewart-Lee House Back Porch.
The setting for the series of Lee portraits taken by Mathew Brady on April 16, 1865.
Photographed By Mathew B. Brady, April 16, 1865
8. Gen. Robert E. Lee, C.S.A.
Library of Congress LC-BH831- 563
Photographed By Mathew B. Brady, April 16, 1865
9. Gen. Robert E. Lee, C.S.A.
Library of Congress LC-BH831- 565
Photographed By Mathew B. Brady, April 16, 1865
10. Robert E. Lee with son Custis (left) and aide Walter H. Taylor (right).
Library of Congress LC-BH831- 562
11. Robert E. Lee with son Custis (left) and aide Walter H. Taylor (right).
Library of Congress LC-BH831- 566
Photographed By Tuck & Sons, circa 1906
12. Home of General Robert E. Lee, Richmond, Va.
While in Virginia, General Lee had as his residence the house at 707 East Franklin Street. It was built about 1845 by a Mr. Stuart, a wealthy Scotch merchant, and was given by the Stuart family to the Virginia Historical Society by whom it is now occupied. VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,128 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 12. submitted on May 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.