George Washington gave this house and the surrounding land as a wedding gift. Washington's nephew, Major Lawrence Lewis, married Martha Washington's granddaughter, Eleanor "Nelly" Custis, who grew up as part of the First Family at Mt. Vernon. Maybe I'm the only one who wondered this, but how in the world did that girl manage to write a proper thank-you note for such a lovely and thoughtful gift?
Woodlawn was built in 1805 on 2000 acres overlooking the Potomac River. At the behest of Washington, the house was designed by Dr. William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol building.
The Woodlawn website gives further insight into the history of the place, which began as a working plantation. “Woodlawn operated as a plantation where the family enslaved more than ninety men, women, and children of African descent. After the Lewis family sold the property to Quakers in the 1840’s, Woodlawn became a free labor colony in the years prior to the Civil War. In the early 20th century, the owners modernized the home and in the 1950's Woodlawn was purchased and became the first public site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”
The house is closed for the season but will reopen in March 2025, full details here.
Photo via loc.gov
Thanks for all the information you provide with your pictures. It says that you have researched quite a bit.