There are numerous attractions near the Potomac River in Virginia, one of them is Gunston Hall. This Georgian-type of mansion has been awarded a U.S. National Register of Historic Places, U.S. National Historic Landmark, and Virginia Landmarks Register.
The area is a perfect spot for ideal visits especially as it brings a fairytale experience to its guests. You can continue reading below if you have any plans in the future to visit Gunston Hall.
Background story of Gunston Hall
The famous Gunston Hall was the residence of George Mason, one of the founding fathers of the country. An English architect named William Buckland agreed to oversee the ongoing work for Gunston Hall in 1755. The stately mansion was completed in 1759 which became Mason’s lifelong home for the remainder of his life.
Gunston Hall also had its own plantation wherein its workers lived. It was akin to a small village with its very own major buildings, kitchen, smokehouse, and a schoolhouse. The enclosed area even had its own skilled artisans who worked on individual sheds. The plantation harvested tobacco as Mason frequently shipped the plant from a dock to Potomac to Europe.
Mason died in Gunston Hall on October 7, 1792. Many centuries later, a retired entrepreneur named Louis Hertle was looking for a historic home in the Virginia area. He was greatly lured by the exquisite elegance of the home and purchased it for $24,000. Today, the National Society of Colonial Dames maintain the house and grounds, about one-tenth of the original Mason holdings. The land and mansion preserve the memory of Mason’s contributions to American ideals and Buckland’s influence on American architectural design.
Gunston Hall Stamp Commemoration
On June 12, 1958, Gunston Hall was commemorated on a 3-cent stamp for its 200th anniversary. The stamp depicts the side near the Potomac river of the historic brick home.
Gunston Hall Guided Tour
Gunston Hall offers a guided tour which has the following highlights:
-Exploration through Gunston Hall’s historic rooms
-Detailed narrative of the home’s rich architectural heritage
-Joining the tour will give you an insight of Mason’s ideas and influence. Plus, you will learn about the lives of the people, both free and enslaved, who lived at Gunston Hall
-Learn about the kind of houses used by the enslaved people at Gunston Hall
-Appreciate George Mason’s garden
Gunston Hall Legacy
Most of Gunston Hall’s eighteenth-century furnishings have vanished over the years, but time has not obliterated Gunston Hall’s most idiosyncratic features, and striking efforts have been made to restore the building and grounds. Today, its glorious woodwork remains intact, along with about 550 acres of the original estate.
What are you waiting for? Book yourselves a tour of Gunston Hall. Experience life in the 18th-century Virginia through guided tours, exhibitions, special events, and school programs. You will definitely have a great experience. The drive or commute there is worth it and worth a repeat!
9203 McCarty Rd, Lorton, VA 22079
(571) 265-4961
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