Stratford Hall Plantation in Stratford, VA was the home of four generations of the Lee family of Virginia, including two signers of the Declaration of Independence and it was the birthplace of Robert E Lee (1807-1870), who became the Confederate General-in-chief during the American Civil War. The first generation purchased the land in 1717. That would be Colonel Thomas Lee (1690-1750). He was a Virginian who also served as the acting Governor of the colony.
Father to eight children, all raised in a strong political environment, each one was politically active. Two sons Richard Henry Lee (aka Henry Light Horse Harry) and Francis Lightfoot Lee signed the Declaration of Independence. Light Horse Harry was the grandfather of Robert E. Lee.
Richard Henry Lee (1730-1787) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and served as President of the Continental Congress. A son of Thomas Lee and a great-uncle to Robert E. Lee.
Francis Lightfoot Lee, another great-uncle to Robert E. Lee. Francis Lee also signed the Declaration of Independence.
General Henry Lee III, 1756-1818 Light Horse Harry, served as Governor of Virginia and was the father of Robert E. Lee and son of Henry Lee II.
Fair warning...I am not a genealogy expert. I get so confused on some of this stuff.
The landscape approaching the Lee's home place was beautiful and scenic. Horses and cattle grazing all about.
Once inside there is a very nice museum displaying a lot of furniture pieces and pieces reconstructed inside the home. Below is the actual mantel from inside the house.
Below is the same mantel as it sat inside the home.
This is the room Robert E. Lee was born. Today's decorating seems more plush than he picture taken below this one showing the room from years ago.
The old kitchen hearth.
As it appears today.
We walked the grounds and found them restful and relaxing. Finally got some answers about trees. I can't believe how much time we've dedicated to the uncovering of "what kind of tree is this". We found the local tree specialist and dragged him around with us for a few minutes. The museum is in the background, beyond the beautiful footbridge crossing onto the grounds of Stratford Hall.
Some trees even had identifying name tags.
Three leaves, let it be.....yup...poison ivy.
Not three leaves...safe. That's the fattest newt I've ever seen.
Below is the carriage barn and additional pictures of the individual stalls.
What beautiful chickens. Don't know what kind but it came up behind me, stalking me, and then his buddy joined the stalk.
I think they wanted food.
One of many sundials located on the grounds. As you can see we are there about 12:30-1:00.
Inside the house, through a window.
Ditto
Ditto
Back of the house. Notice no through the window shot here.
This is a room in one of the outer houses. Seems to be used as a storage but originally part of the service area.
Front of the house.
The surrounding grounds.
This was beyond the above sundial and appeared to be a little hobbit house until we got closer and discovered differently.
Inside was what was suppose to be and apparently was once used as the family crypt.
Walking along another road we come to the "slave quarters".
The main house and two service houses which housed a pantry and the kitchen.
We went to the Stratford Inn and had the most wonderful and delicious hamburger. I would come back here just for that....
Thanks for visiting and come back soon.
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