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. 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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 37° 32.393′ N, 77° 26.218′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Central Office District. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: St. Peter's Catholic Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pro-Cathedral of Saint Peter (about 500 feet away); Anna Maria Lane (about 500 feet away); The First National Bank Building (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named The Bell Tower (about 600 feet away); Mantle (about 600 feet away); Edgar Allen Poe (about 600 feet away); Miller & Rhoads (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Bell Tower (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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

Also see . . . Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond. Civil War

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

2. Stewart-Lee House Marker

Richmond (Submitted on October 28, 2009.)

Front Wall Inset image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

3. Front Wall Inset

The residence of the family of
General Robert E. Lee
1864-1865
and to which he retired
after Appomattox

Stewart-Lee House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

4. Stewart-Lee House

Richmond, Va. Residence of Gen. Robert E. Lee (707 East Franklin Street) image. Click for full size.

circa 1865

5. Richmond, Va. Residence of Gen. Robert E. Lee (707 East Franklin Street)

Library of Congress LC-B811- 3288

Norman Stewart House, 707 East Franklin Street. image. Click for full size.

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-

Stewart-Lee House Back Porch. image. Click for full size.

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.

Gen. Robert E. Lee, C.S.A. image. Click for full size.

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

Robert E. Lee with son Custis (left) and aide Walter H. Taylor (right). image. Click for full size.

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

Home of General Robert E. Lee, Richmond, Va. image. Click for full size.

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 4,496 times since then and 75 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.