Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Woodlawn
1803-1840
"A most beautiful site for a Gentleman's seat..."
George Washington, December 1793
Washington presented 2000 acres of his Mount Vernon estate to his nephew Major Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis. Martha Washington's granddaughter, following their February 22, 1799 wedding. Built atop Grey's Hill on a site selected by the first President. Woodlawn was completed in 1805.
In addition to the Dr. William Thornton-designed house and existing outbuildings, the landscape included "a large brick barn, farm house, corn houses, sheds," and Washington's grist mill and distillery complex. Dwellings for the enslaved people, located in several places on the plantation, were described as "composed of rough logs, piled above each other, with the seams smeared with clay."
[Captions:]
The Washington Family by Edward Savage, ca. 1789-98.
Featured is Eleanor Parke Custis between her grandparents. The young George Washington Parke Custis, on the left, would also build a grand house, Arlington. The enslaved man, who may represent Christopher Sheels, was included to denote the Washingtons as Virginia gentry.
Woodlawn by John Robert Murray, 1825.
This riverfront view depicts Major Lawrence Lewis with visiting General Lafayette.
this page online
Erected by National Endowment for the Humanities, and Education Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lafayette’s Farewell Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 38° 43.094′ N, 77° 8.263′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. Marker is on Outlet, 0.2 miles north of Lampert Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The People of Woodlawn (a few steps from this marker); Meat House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Woodlawn (within shouting distance of this marker); Pope-Leighey (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dairy (about 400 feet away); Necessary (about 400 feet away); Potomac Connections (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woodlawn Historic Landscapes (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
