What Is Chatham Manor?
Chatham Manor is an 18th Century mansion and grounds that housed both pro-slavery families and the Union Army!
What Makes It Historical?
Built in 1771 for William Fitzhugh, this Georgian Style home was meant to show off its wealth from the get-go, so much so that it led this friend of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to run out of money and sell Chatham Manor! By the time of the fighting at Fredericksburg, Chatham Manor was the winter home of Betty & Horace Lacy. When Mr. Lacy went off to fight for the Confederacy, Mrs. Lacy had the household packed up and moved, which let the US Army occupy it as a headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg!
After the battle, Chatham Manor served as a field hospital run by the likes of Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, and Mary Walker! After the whole war, the Lacys couldn’t move back in because the slaves who enabled them to live such opulent lives were now free! The house changed hands a few times until 1920 when it had a major overhaul by Helen and Daniel Devore, following the popular trend of Colonial Revivalism!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Historical Park!
- Donate to Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Historical Park!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
120 Chatham Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Chatham Manor is open daily from 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM!
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