About the Museum

The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden interprets American history through the experiences of the people who lived and worked on the property from 1785 to 1969. Through tours, special programs, and exhibits we discover our shared history as a community and as a nation.

Our Story

The Lee-Fendall House is a family home in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Since its construction in 1785, this home has housed thirty-seven members of the Lee family (1785–1903), hundreds of convalescing Union soldiers during the Civil War (1863–1865), the prominent Downham family (1903–1937), and powerful labor leader John L. Lewis (1937–1969). Throughout its history, the home was also lived and worked in by generations of enslaved and free African Americans.

The historic home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Virginia Landmarks Register and is a documented contributing feature within the National Historic Landmark District of Alexandria, Virginia.

The estate is currently owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, which has taken charge of preserving the home and its gardens as a benefit to the public. Our primary objective is to safeguard the property’s valuable architectural heritage and rich historical legacy, in service of cultivating greater knowledge and deeper appreciation for American history.

Through the dedicated stewardship of the Trust, this iconic landmark continues to serve as a significant regional museum, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in history. Visit us today!

Lee-Fendall House National Register of Historic Places Nomination Document (PDF, 15 pp.)