Carlyle House Historic Park
One of Virginia’s most architecturally impressive 18th-century homes, Carlyle House also figured prominently in American history. A social and political center, the house was visited by the great men of the day, including George Washington. But its most important historic moment occurred in April 1755, when Major General Edward Braddock, commander-in-chief of His Majesty’s forces in North America, met with five Colonial governors here and asked them to tax colonists to finance a campaign against the French and Indians. Colonial legislatures refused to comply, one of the first instances of serious friction between America and Britain.
When it was built, Carlyle House was a waterfront property with its own wharf. In 1753, Scottish merchant John Carlyle completed the mansion for his bride, Sarah Fairfax, a daughter of one of Virginia’s most prominent families. It was designed in the style of a Scottish/English manor house and is lavishly furnished; Carlyle, a successful merchant, had the means to import the best furnishings and appointments available abroad for his new Alexandria home.
Tours are given on the hour and take about 45 minutes; allow another 10 or 15 minutes if you plan to tour the tiered garden of brick walks and boxed parterres. Two of the original rooms, the large parlor and the dining room, have survived intact; the former, where Braddock met the governors, still retains its original fine woodwork, paneling, and pediments. The house is furnished in period pieces; however, only a few of Carlyle’s possessions remain. In an upstairs room, an architecture exhibit depicts 18th-century construction methods.
One of Virginia’s most architecturally impressive 18th-century homes, Carlyle House also figured prominently in American history. A social and political center, the house was visited by the great men of the day, including George Washington. But its most important historic moment occurred in April 1755, when Major General Edward Braddock, commander-in-chief of His Majesty’s forces in North America, met with five Colonial governors here and asked them to tax colonists to finance a campaign against the French and Indians. Colonial legislatures refused to comply, one of the first instances of serious friction between America and Britain.
When it was built, Carlyle House was a waterfront property with its own wharf. In 1753, Scottish merchant John Carlyle completed the mansion for his bride, Sarah Fairfax, a daughter of one of Virginia’s most prominent families. It was designed in the style of a Scottish/English manor house and is lavishly furnished; Carlyle, a successful merchant, had the means to import the best furnishings and appointments available abroad for his new Alexandria home.
Tours are given on the hour and take about 45 minutes; allow another 10 or 15 minutes if you plan to tour the tiered garden of brick walks and boxed parterres. Two of the original rooms, the large parlor and the dining room, have survived intact; the former, where Braddock met the governors, still retains its original fine woodwork, paneling, and pediments. The house is furnished in period pieces; however, only a few of Carlyle’s possessions remain. In an upstairs room, an architecture exhibit depicts 18th-century construction methods.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
