Revolutionary War hero Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, purchased several lots on North Washington Street in Alexandria soon after the War for Independence. He later sold the lot at the corner of Oronoco Street to his cousin Philip Richard Fendall, who built this wood frame house in 1785. Since its construction in 1785, the Lee-Fendall House has served as home to thirty-seven members of the Lee family (1785-1903), hundreds of convalescing Union soldiers during the American Civil War (1863-1865), Alexandria’s locally prominent Downham family (1903-1937), and one of our nation’s most controversial and significant 20th century labor leaders, John L. Lewis (1937-1969). After Lewis died in 1969, the Lee-Fendall House was leased until 1974, when it was purchased by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation.
The historic home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for state significance and the Virginia Landmarks Register, and is a documented contributing feature to the National Historic Landmark District of Alexandria, Virginia. The property is still owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation who run it as a museum to preserve the architectural and historic value of the house and gardens and to spread knowledge and appreciation for Virginian and American history.
Please click on the house below for an eight minute video about the history of the Lee-Fendall House.
Today, a beautiful award-winning half-acre garden complements the Lee-Fendall House. Development of the garden began in 1974 as a labor of love by the Alexandria Council of Garden Clubs. It is still endowed by that group of 24 garden clubs. A rose garden grows many varieties of heritage roses spanning the years 1842-1893. An herb garden recalls the days when herbs were used for medicine, insect repellents and fragrances as well as flavoring agents.
Hours of Operation
Wednesday through Saturday — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Garden is open during the museum’s normal hours. It may be visited without purchasing a ticket. Please enter through the gate on Washington Street. Occasionally the garden is closed during scheduled hours due to weather or staff shortages, which makes the cache inaccessible.
Tours are offered at the top of each hour. The final tour each day begins at 3 p.m. You may only view the interior of the house by taking a guided tour.
Please make no attempt to get this cache outside of museum hours. Also do not enter garden if there is a wedding or another event going on.
NOTE: There is constantly changing group of garden and docent volunteers, and not all of them are aware of this geocache. If questioned let them know that this geocache is placed with permission of:
John Christiansen
Executive Director
Lee-Fendall House
(703) 548-1789
