Woodlawn
Built in 1805, this grand house overlooking the Potomac River was a gift from George Washington to his nephew Major Lawrence Lewis and his wife Eleanor "Nelly" Custis. A granddaughter of Martha Washington, Nelly was raised at Mount Vernon as part of the First Family. Fittingly, the President asked Dr. William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol, to design a new house for the young couple and provided 2,000 acres of his estate. Woodlawn interprets the life of the Lewis family as well as enslaved and free African Americans.
Regional Events
The Landscape of Slavery: Tour and Landscape Walk,
05/17/08
Charleston,
South Carolina
An in-depth guided tour exploring the existing landscape features, archaeological sites, maps, and documents, to reveal the actual landscape of slavery as it existed centuries ago at Drayton Hall (Charleston, South Carolina).
18th Century Encampment,
05/24/08
Middletown,
Virginia
Visit an 18th century encampment of costumed re-enactors demonstrating crafts, gunsmithing, outdoor cooking, and pioneer skills on Belle Grove’s wooded acres. Members of the Shenandoah Long Rifles are on site to interpret the Shenandoah Valley’s frontier past.
GardenFest,
06/07/08
Middletown,
Virginia
Featuring a plant sale and demonstrations by area Master Gardeners, this very special event celebrates the Valley’s agricultural and horticultural heritage. Enjoy browsing through a selection of plant and garden vendors, a yard sale, and Middletown’s own farmer’s market.
Regional Sites
"The Journey Through Hallowed Ground" Corridor, Alexandria, Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Antietam National Battlefield Park, Alexandria, Maryland, 11 Most Endangered
Arts & Industries Building of Smithsonian Institution, Alexandria, District of Columbia, 11 Most Endangered
Ashley River Historic District, Alexandria, South Carolina, 11 Most Endangered
Belle Grove, Middletown, Virginia, National Trust Historic Sites
Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Alexandria, Florida, 11 Most Endangered
Blair Mountain Battlefield, Alexandria, West Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Brandy Station Battlefield, Alexandria, Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Bridge of Lions, Alexandria, Florida, 11 Most Endangered
Carter G. Woodson Houses, Alexandria, District of Columbia, 11 Most Endangered
Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation, Alexandria, Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Chancellorsville Battlefield, Alexandria, Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks, Alexandria, Maryland, 11 Most Endangered
Columbus Landing Site, Alexandria, US Virgin Islands, 11 Most Endangered
Congressional Cemetery, Alexandria, District of Columbia, 11 Most Endangered
Country Estates of River Road, Alexandria, Kentucky, 11 Most Endangered
Decatur House, Washington, District of Columbia, National Trust Historic Sites
Downtown New Orleans, Alexandria, Louisiana, 11 Most Endangered
Drayton Hall, Charleston, South Carolina, National Trust Historic Sites
Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio, Richmond, Virginia, Historic Artist Homes & Studios
