Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

06/12/2026

Need a better view of the tall ships? Swing by the Lee-Fendall booth to make your very own pirate spy glass 🏴‍☠️⚓️⛵️

06/10/2026

Introducing Kai Pearson, our summer Interpretation and Research Intern!

Kai is 2024 graduate of Aurora University, holding a B.A in History, earning the latter after successfully defending a thesis regarding the importance of Q***r history in the historiography of Harlem Renaissance.

Outside of Q***r history, Kai is fascinated by Black History, women’s history, as well as the study of disease in the 19th century.

Kai’s current historic fascination has been learning about war-related trauma of the Civil War, often overlooked but well deserving of the discussion, whether it is from the soldiers side, or the enslaved side. This image of her reflects the popular side profile images of the 19th century.

According to Kai:

“What brought me to Lee-Fendall was predominantly the house itself, as I have always enjoyed attending house museums and learning about the owners who lived and died within them. However, as I’ve been here now for a few days, I have grown curious about what the owners lives can teach us about the broader aspects of American History, and given that the house spans from the 18th century to the 20th, I feel it is a wealth of knowledge that is worth exploring and becoming more familiar with. From what I’ve been told/read thus far, there is room for discussion relating to class structures, racial hierarchy through architectural, physical and linguistic differences, the Civil War and traumatic experiences therein (as I understand this home served as a hospital), and other stories yet to be uncovered.

I am currently working as the Research and Interpretation Intern, and I am in the process of digitizing public historian T. Michael Miller’s 'Visitors From The Past: A Bi-Centennial Reflection on Life at the Lee-Fendall House, 1785-1985'. While digitizing the history, I am simultaneously learning from his interpretations as well as encouraging myself to explore beyond his text through other primary sources. The sources in the book, as well as any other sources I find along my internship journey, will also later be used in my research project, which I am waiting to hear the details regarding.”

06/03/2026

The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden is incredibly grateful to the Historic Alexandria Foundation for awarding a $10,300 grant which has now fully funded our wallpaper project for the Federal-era South Parlor period room. Stay tuned in January 2027 when the project is underway!

Under blue skies and accompanied by the soft twang of bluegrass music, the Historic Alexandria Foundation (HAF) welcomed members and supporters to its annual spring meeting and garden party.

For many Alexandrians, the event offered the perfect excuse to don floral dresses and seersucker while enjoying the gardens and elegant surroundings of R. Latane Montague’s Prince Street residence. But beyond the social gathering was a deeper purpose: celebrating the people, partnerships, and preservation efforts that continue to protect Alexandria’s unique architectural and cultural heritage.

Founded in 1954, the Historic Alexandria Foundation advocates for the preservation of Alexandria’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and cultural resources. Through educational programs, restoration grants, research initiatives, advocacy efforts, and community partnerships, HAF works to ensure that Alexandria’s rich history remains a living part of the city’s future.

During the event, HAF President Robert F. Weinhagen Jr. reflected on the organization’s accomplishments and expanding mission before presenting this year’s grants, awards, and historic plaques.

This year’s grant recipients represent a wide range of preservation efforts across the city:

* Office of Historic Alexandria — $5,000 to support preservation and public access to seven of the Archives and Records Center’s most historically significant collections.

* Alexandria Archaeology — $7,500 to support a full nomination of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex to the National Register of Historic Places.

* Lee-Fendall House Museum — $10,300 for restoration of the South Parlor wallpaper.

* Scholarship Fund of Alexandria — $5,000 for a graduating Alexandria City High School senior pursuing studies in historic preservation.

* William Ramsay’s World — $5,000 to create a research database centered on William Ramsay’s ledger and life in pre-Revolutionary Virginia.

For photos and the full story see the first comment for the link. 🔗

Historic Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Scholarship Fund of Alexandria
Friends of Alexandria Archaeology
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

05/20/2026

Do you love & historic gardens? Well lucky for you, Lee-Fendall is combining them both! Join us for Bravo Trivia, Thursday June 25th — tickets are live on our Eventbrite! 🌃💅🏼🥂🍑

05/01/2026

Civil War Living History Day is approaching, and we could not be more excited. The event will include mini-lectures, activities, and immersive stations; all designed to educate participants on the lives and losses of the Grosvenor Branch Hospital. The program will run from 2-4pm, and tickets can be purchased on our Eventbrite.

04/22/2026

Thank you to the 2️⃣5️⃣ generous donors who have so far helped us raise almost $2,500!

Before this year’s is over, will you buy us a pack of sandpaper, a bucket of trim paint, or even a roll of historic block-printed wallpaper?

Visit the link in the comments to donate now!

04/22/2026

We need YOU to make this image a reality during this - Alexandria’s day of giving!

We're returning our South Parlor - which reflects Lee-Fendall's first decade, when America was in its infancy and George Washington was the house's most frequent dinner guest - to its most accurate appearance.

Your support will allow us to paper the South Parlor in a period-correct 1780s pattern, using historically accurate materials and methods.

Please donate today at the link in the comments to buy us a pack of sandpaper, a can of paste, or a roll of wallpaper!

Help return our South Parlor to its early Federal era appearance!

04/19/2026

It may not be the Palace of Versailles, but Lee-Fendall still makes a pretty nice setting for a music video!

04/17/2026

🍷🎨 Have you grabbed your tickets yet?

Step into spring in your Kentucky Derby best at Lee-Fendall’s Wine & Art Night on Saturday, May 2nd!

Sip your way through 8 curated wine tastings from local favorite Wine Gallery 108, explore stunning works from 4 talented artists, and enjoy the sounds of live music by DC Ambiance throughout the evening.

We are also thrilled to welcome back Alyia For Alexandria for the second year in a row!

✨Don’t miss one of our most anticipated events of the season - get your tickets today!

01/23/2026

It’s exhibit time! We are thrilled to announce that Lee-Fendall’s newest temporary exhibition, “Shall Not Be Denied: Alexandria Women and the Fight for the Ballot”, opens on February 8th!

“Shall Not Be Denied” explores the role that Alexandria women played in the struggle for women’s suffrage at the local, state, and national levels. Through stories of activism, organizing, and civic engagement, the exhibition highlights the work of women connected to organizations such as the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia and the Virginia League of Women Voters.

The exhibition also examines the Lee-Fendall House’s historical connections to the suffrage movement, revealing how this site intersected with the broader fight to secure voting rights for women.

Admission into this exhibit is included with the purchase of a general admission ticket. Come see the exhibit before it closes on May 31!