Lee-Fendall House
Lee-Fendall House
4
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
The Lee-Fendall House, located in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is a showcase of American history. Since its construction in 1785, the house has served as home to thirty-seven members of the Lee family, hundreds of convalescing Union soldiers during the American Civil War, Alexandria’s locally prominent Downham family, and one of our nation’s most controversial and significant 20th century labor leaders, John L. Lewis.
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Neighbourhood: Old Town
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
37 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Carrie L
Richmond, VA107 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
We had an excellent tour here. The house has elements of architecture and furnishings that span hundreds of years so you get a taste of so many of the different owners. It was a hospital during the Civil War where the first successful blood transfusion took place. Its basement was enlarged to store booze during prohibition. It was the home of labor boss John L Lewis.
So many interesting stories and a really interesting place to visit.
So many interesting stories and a really interesting place to visit.
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine H
Alexandria, VA3 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
I wish I had had the same experience as so many others who have left reviews for this attraction, but, due entirely to the tour guide, I came away incredibly disappointed. From the moment he opened the door and barked at us "Five dollars each," to his final refusal to let us see the gardens because he had a "family thing" and wanted to leave early, my tour group was shoved from room to room, with just a 1-minute cursory description at each stop. He evidently did not want us to be there, and within a minute of meeting him, neither did we. I advise you avoid this venue, unless you can be sure of avoiding this misanthropic individual.
Written 24 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY1,985 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I was quite amazed at the preservation of a house that is as old as our Constitution. For $5 you get a 30-35 minute tour and history of the home and the Lee family. It is a short walk from the metro and downtown. The docent was excellent!
Written 17 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC3,776 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
This house has a cool history that is unique to the area, and the property is very beautiful! I highly recommend a visit, and be sure to ask lots of questions!
Written 21 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,861 contributions
May 2022
Henry (Light Horse Harry) Lee's sister, Mary, married Phillip Richard Fendall. Mr. Fendall was an attorney and friends with George Washington. The house was built in 1784 with telescoping style architecture. Across the street, is nephew General Robert E Lee's boyhood home. We learned so much about the house, artifacts and family lineage that I can not mention it all in a review. We would recommend this tour. Street parking. Restroom on site. Guided tour $7.00. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tennisev
Orlando, FL41 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
The tour is interesting and worth the effort to see it. The docent is knowledgeable, but the history of the house is more a recitation of who has lived there. It is interesting that George Washington's funeral was planned here. As in many Alexandria homes, famous people visited here as well. I think the most powerful person who lived here was John L. Lewis, the labor leader.
The architecture of the home is interesting, but the area that one actually tours is very limited. The kitchen and area that the servants and slaves lived in are off-limits.
The architecture of the home is interesting, but the area that one actually tours is very limited. The kitchen and area that the servants and slaves lived in are off-limits.
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RayGCincinnati_OH
Cincinnati, OH270 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The house was nice and the rooms were big but it is nothing special. We had a very nice docent who took her time describing the home and the period, The only connection with Robert E. Lee however is that his father sold the land to the Fendall family.
Written 21 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FREPLUG
Macomb, MI569 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Loving history I had to stop in and see what this place was all about. It is working history preserved and renovated over the years, mostly by the same strand of Lee family!! Amazing history and a neat old house. The 2 of us had a private tour simply because we were the only ones there! The guide was young and vibrant and knowledgable. This is a great stop for any history buff in the area and as most other stops it is cheap!
Written 5 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary V
Pleasant Valley, NY194 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
A bit of a walk from King Street, however, the prensce of 18th century houses and all types of architecture may it seem shorter. We were met by a very accommodating tour guide tht was in the middle of a tour and let us join in. Leaarned much from his presentation. The home is part of the Robert E. Lee family as the house he grew up in is across the street.. The host gave us the first part of the tour as we missed it by joing the other group.
Written 23 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bahutch
Mansfield, Texas198 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
Came for a wedding reception, and it was great! Very nice, old historical building, great garden and yard area. Well located with parking and easy setup. Had a large tent and full meal service. Lots of trees and great weather! Plenty of room for lots of fun, and we had loud music as well. No problem. Very nice place!
Written 20 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
can I take group photos inside the museum?
Written 9 November 2018
I do not see why not. I took pics inside but it wasn't a group. Staff were cool though just call and ask. I think it will not be an issue though.
Written 10 November 2018
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