---

Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings

	GUNSTON HALL Virginia
Fairfax County, on Va. 242, near Woodbridge, about 15 miles south of Alexandria. Gunston Hall Plantation

Ownership and Administration. Commonwealth of Virginia; National Society of Colonial Dames of America.

Significance. This house, overlooking the Potomac River a few miles south of Mount Vernon, memorializes the life of George Mason (1725-92), patriot and political theorist. He is noted for the various political and constitutional papers that he wrote during and just after the War for Independence. These include the "Fairfax Resolves" of 1774, which asserted the rights of the colonists in their relations with England; the "Virginia Declaration of Rights," in 1776, which influenced the Declaration of Independence and the Federal Bill of Rights; and the "Objections to the Proposed Constitution," in 1788, which expounded the bases of his opposition to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Almost as important as his writings was his influence upon younger colleagues, many of whom became leaders in Virginia and national politics.

Gunston Hall, an unpretentious red brick house overlooking the Potomac River, was the home of George Mason, brilliant Virginia statesman and political theorist. The five dormers and the elaborate porches are of particular interest. Courtesy, Charles Baptie, Photographer.

Mason built Gunston Hall, based on his own design, during the years 1755-58. He employed William Buckland, a skilled craftsman from Oxfordshire, England, to do the interior woodcarving. Buckland also designed and constructed the two porches. The Mason family owned the house until 1867. From then until 1932, when the Commonwealth of Virginia acquired it, it was in the hands of various private owners, one of whom restored it, in 1912.

The interior of Gunston Hall, Virginia, is richly ornamented. Of special interest is the intricate woodcarving. Courtesy, Charles Baptie, Photographer.

Present Appearance. The house itself is unpretentious, but it has elaborate porches projecting from both the land and river sides. It is constructed of red brick, laid in Flemish bond. Stone quoins square the corners, and five dormers penetrate the steep roof. The interior of the house is surprisingly spacious and notably well ornamented. The central hall is broken at the stairway by an unusual pair of parabolic arches. In the Palladian drawing room and the Chinese Chippendale room are a variety of intricately carved wood and brocade-covered walls. The house is furnished with period pieces, though few of them belonged to Mason. The grounds feature a boxwood allee, 12 feet high and 250 feet long, surrounded by the restored formal gardens. The house and grounds are open to the public.

NHL Designation: 12/19/60