May 05, 1972
National Register of Historic Places - Stewart-Lee House
Statement of Significant: Although it is a fine example of domestic architecture, the Stewart-Lee House has been preserved over the years mainly for its historic connection with General Robert E. Lee. Lot #491 as it appears on the original plan of Richmond was once a part of an entire square bounded by 7th, 8th, Franklin and Main Streets, and owned by the Secretary of the Council of State, Archibald Blair. In 1842 after the land's division into lots, Beverly Blair, heir of Archibald Blair, sold Lot #491 to James Bosher who sold it to Norman Stewart in 1843. Stewart, a tobacco merchant originally from Rothesay, Scotland built his residence on this lot in 1844. Upon Stewart's death in 1856, the house was left to his nephew John Stewart who rented it during the war to General Custis Lee and a group of young Confederate officers. In 1864 the "bachelor's mess", as was called, was dispersed by the arrival of Robert E. Lee's mother and sisters who occupied the house after the confiscation of "Arlington". On April 15, 1865 General Robert E. Lee retired to 707 East Franklin Street following the surrender at Appomattox. It was here also that Matthew Brady took his well-known photographs of the general. Finally, as the result of constant callers, the family left for the country towards the end of June. An 1871 "Visitor's Guide to Richmond and Vicinity" cites a Mrs. George Davis as the occupant of 707 East Franklin Street. Between 1871 and 1876 the house was rented to Judge Anthony M. Keily, the mayor of Richmond. In 1879 the Westmoreland Club used the Stewart-Lee House. During the 1880's the house was rented by Mr. William O. English and Mr. Robert N. Gordon. Mr. English married Miss Jessie Gordon, whose renowned girl’s school was moved here for a short time. In 1893 the heirs of Mary A. Stewart gave the building to the Virginia Historical Society "for the use and occupation of the Virginia Historical Society as a library and assembly rooms." The Society occupied the premises until 1959 and during that period added the two-story fireproof addition to serve as a library and manuscript depository. When the Society moved its headquarters to Battle Abbey in 1959, the title reverted to the Stewart heirs who conveyed the Stewart-Lee House to the Confederate Memorial Literary Society in 1961.
National Register of Historic Places - Stewart-Lee House
Statement of Significant: Although it is a fine example of domestic architecture, the Stewart-Lee House has been preserved over the years mainly for its historic connection with General Robert E. Lee. Lot #491 as it appears on the original plan of Richmond was once a part of an entire square bounded by 7th, 8th, Franklin and Main Streets, and owned by the Secretary of the Council of State, Archibald Blair. In 1842 after the land's division into lots, Beverly Blair, heir of Archibald Blair, sold Lot #491 to James Bosher who sold it to Norman Stewart in 1843. Stewart, a tobacco merchant originally from Rothesay, Scotland built his residence on this lot in 1844. Upon Stewart's death in 1856, the house was left to his nephew John Stewart who rented it during the war to General Custis Lee and a group of young Confederate officers. In 1864 the "bachelor's mess", as was called, was dispersed by the arrival of Robert E. Lee's mother and sisters who occupied the house after the confiscation of "Arlington". On April 15, 1865 General Robert E. Lee retired to 707 East Franklin Street following the surrender at Appomattox. It was here also that Matthew Brady took his well-known photographs of the general. Finally, as the result of constant callers, the family left for the country towards the end of June. An 1871 "Visitor's Guide to Richmond and Vicinity" cites a Mrs. George Davis as the occupant of 707 East Franklin Street. Between 1871 and 1876 the house was rented to Judge Anthony M. Keily, the mayor of Richmond. In 1879 the Westmoreland Club used the Stewart-Lee House. During the 1880's the house was rented by Mr. William O. English and Mr. Robert N. Gordon. Mr. English married Miss Jessie Gordon, whose renowned girl’s school was moved here for a short time. In 1893 the heirs of Mary A. Stewart gave the building to the Virginia Historical Society "for the use and occupation of the Virginia Historical Society as a library and assembly rooms." The Society occupied the premises until 1959 and during that period added the two-story fireproof addition to serve as a library and manuscript depository. When the Society moved its headquarters to Battle Abbey in 1959, the title reverted to the Stewart heirs who conveyed the Stewart-Lee House to the Confederate Memorial Literary Society in 1961.
May 05, 1972
Posted Date
Jul 13, 2023
Historical Record Date
May 05, 1972
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
Source Website
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
