Near Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Chatham
Photographed By Kevin W., January 5, 2008
1. Chatham Marker
Inscription.
Chatham. . This expansive estate and its impressive Georgian dwelling have dominated Stafford Heights overlooking Fredericksburg for over two centuries. William Fitzhugh, a wealthy landowner from Virginia's Northern Neck, completed construction of his new residence in 1771 and named it in honor of William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. Fitzhugh and subsequent ante-bellum owners of Chatham managed a large plantation employing as many as one hundred slaves. After the war, Chatham's land was gradually sold until the property amounted to only thirty acres of landscaped grounds and formal gardens. Thus by the early 20th century, the estate had become a country home for the well-to-do. Industrialist and philanthropist John Lee Pratt willed Chatham to the National Park Service in 1975 in order that its historical significance and beautiful setting could be enjoyed by the public, now and in the future.
This expansive estate and its impressive Georgian dwelling have dominated Stafford Heights overlooking Fredericksburg for over two centuries. William Fitzhugh, a wealthy landowner from Virginia's Northern Neck, completed construction of his new residence in 1771 and named it in honor of William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. Fitzhugh and subsequent ante-bellum owners of Chatham managed a large plantation employing as many as one hundred slaves. After the war, Chatham's land was gradually sold until the property amounted to only thirty acres of landscaped grounds and formal gardens. Thus by the early 20th century, the estate had become a country home for the well-to-do. Industrialist and philanthropist John Lee Pratt willed Chatham to the National Park Service in 1975 in order that its historical significance and beautiful setting could be enjoyed by the public, now and in the future.
Erected by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 18.546′ N, 77°
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27.265′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is on Chatham Lane. Marker is located at Chatham Manor, part of the Fredericksburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Chatham Dr, Fredericksburg VA 22404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Chatham. This marker was replaced by a new one also named Chatham (see nearby markers).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Chatham Heights virtual tour by markers.
Photographed By Kevin W., January 5, 2008
2. Chatham Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., January 5, 2008
3. Chatham
In the early 1900s, Chatham's original rear entrance became the front entrance, as you see it here.
Photographed By Kevin W., January 5, 2008
4. Chatham
This is the original front entrance of Chatham, which overlooks the town of Fredericksburg across the Rappahannock. You can see the ghost lines of the original porch, which was removed in the early 1900s.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,375 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
