Fielding Lewis store (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

USA / Virginia / Falmouth / Fredericksburg, Virginia / Virginia Route 2 / U.S. Business Route 1/17 North (Caroline Street), 1200
 store / shop, place with historical importance, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, interesting place, Georgian (architecture), 1740s construction

www.hffi.org/fieldinglewisstore.html

1749 • Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. • Restoration in 2002.

Councilor John Lewis (1694-1754) of Warner Hall in Gloucester County purchased 406 ac. at Fredericksburg’s northern edge in 1742 and soon began a mercantile operation in wooden buildings just across Caroline Street.

In 1749 he built this brick store, distinguished by its stone quoins. His son Fielding Lewis (1725-1781), who married George Washington’s sister Betty, ran this mercantile arm of the family’s extensive shipping operations.

William S. Stone, William Taylor, and Robert Mackay, among others, were later merchants in this store. When the Fredericksburg Fire of 1807 damaged the original story and a half structure, it was repaired and a second floor was added.

The building changed from commercial to residential use in 1823. It remained a private residence until it was given to the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation in 1996

On the corner of Caroline and Lewis streets, sits a small red brick building built in 1749. This building was originally the Fielding Lewis Store. Besides being one of the oldest buildings in America and the oldest in Fredericksburg the Fielding Lewis store can also claim the George Washington shopped here.

Currently this building is in the final stages of restoration by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation. Fielding Lewis was a wealthy Fredericksburg businessmen and was married to George Washington's sister Betty. Fielding and Betty Lewis owned the Kenmore Plantation. Once the restoration is complete, plans are to open the store and sell reproductions of 18th century goods
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Coordinates:   38°18'20"N   77°27'40"W
This article was last modified 7 years ago