Kenmore (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

 house, place with historical importance, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, interesting place, Georgian (architecture), 1750s construction, U.S. National Historic Landmark

www.kenmore.org/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielding_Lewis

Built in 1752 for Betty Washington Lewis, wife of Colonel Fielding Lewis and sister of General George Washington, the house is an outstanding example of mid-eighteenth century Tidewater Virginia architecture and renowned for its ornate plasterwork ceilings. Colonel Fielding Lewis was appointed by the Virginia Convention of 1775 as a Commissioner, with others, "to form, establish and conduct a manufactory of small arms at Fredericksburg". The kitchen and office dependencies were reconstructed during the 1920's and the Crowninshield Museum was built in 1975.

In 1922 a developer bought Kenmore with plans to demolish the house or convert it into apartments and subdivide the remaining two acres of land. The women of Fredericksburg once again organized and mobilized their energies to save and preserve another historic site. Just as was required of them in 1867 to establish the Confederate Cemetery, in 1889 to build the Mary Washington Monument, in 1897 to spearhead the drive for the first hospital in Fredericksburg, and in 1890 to prevent the Mary Washington House from being sold and transported to Chicago World's Fair, the women of Fredericksburg successfully raised the necessary funds to buy the property and the Kenmore Association was formed. In 1929 the Garden Club of Virginia was asked to restore the Kenmore Gardens. From this effort Historic Garden Week in Virginia was born.

This beautiful, Georgian-style mansion reflects the pre-Revolutionary War wealth and status of Fredericksburg merchant Fielding Lewis and his wife, Betty Washington Lewis, George Washington's sister. Lewis lost his fortune due to his patriotic support of the war but the house he built remains. The elegant exterior is complimented by vibrant interior spaces with colorful paint and wallpaper and decorative plasterwork ceilings. Now at the end of a multi-year restoration, Kenmore is being returned to its 1775 appearance.

Kenmore is open daily from 10 to 5 for guided tours that start 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the hour and last approximately 45 minutes