Chantilly in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Richard Bland Lee: Gentleman Farmer

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019

1. Richard Bland Lee: Gentleman Farmer Marker

Inscription. Under Richard Bland Lee's ownership, Sully transitioned from a tobacco farm into a multi-crop operation. Lee applied nutrients and crushed limestone to the worn soil, and made use of crop rotation to increase its productivity. Wheat, rye, timothy, clover, and corn were grown. Livestock raised included cattle hogs, sheep, and horses.

Fruit-bearing cherry trees lined the driveway approaching the main house. Sully's orchard produced apples, peaches, plums, quinces, apricots, and pears. A two-acre kitchen garden supplied a variety of vegetables. Completed in 1801, the stone dairy provided cool storage for eggs, milk, butter, and cheese.

Sully's farming operations were overseen by a farm manager who carried out Lee's instructions. The work was done by enslaved laborers and some indentured servants. A 20th-century archaeological excavation found evidence of three structures (part of an early slave quarter) along Sully's south road.

Erected by Fairfax County Park Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1801.

Location. 38° 54.829′ N, 77° 25.608′ W. Marker is in Chantilly, Virginia, in Fairfax

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County. Marker is on Historic Sully Way south of Air and Space Museum Parkway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3454 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly VA 20151, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sully Historic Site (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clover Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Loudoun Branch" of the Historic Manassas Gap Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); An 18th Century Enslaved Community at Sully (approx. 0.4 miles away); Richard Bland Lee Served His Country (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Sully Farms (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Barn and Other Farm Buildings (approx. half a mile away); Excavating a 19th century Tenant Structure (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chantilly.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019

2. Richard Bland Lee: Gentleman Farmer Marker

Sully Historic Site in Spring image. Click for full size.

3. Sully Historic Site in Spring

Close-up of photo on marker

Dedication of the Slave Quarter image. Click for full size.

4. Dedication of the Slave Quarter

Close-up of photo on marker

Learning to make Biscuits image. Click for full size.

5. Learning to make Biscuits

Close-up of photo on marker

Spinning wool at Sully image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 26, 2019

6. Spinning wool at Sully

Close-up of photo on marker

Tours and So Much More image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019

7. Tours and So Much More

Nearby sign

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 2, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.