The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-26
MISS HoLBRook.
80
&SS)

After long period of desolatlon. dur
Ing which neglect and the carking tooth
had done all that was seemingly possible
to reduce It's ancient splendors, Woodlawn
Mansion. one of the most imposing seats
Of old Virginia, has at last fallen into
worthy and sympathetic hands
This celebrated house and estate is sit
uated in Fairfax county, only two miles
from Mount Vernon. The land was. in
deed, cut off from General Washington's
estate, and he presented IL. along with
rough sketch of his idea of gentle folks
house. to Mrs. Washngton's grandchlld,
Nelly Gusts Lewis. Colonel Lewis and his
bride named this detachment from Mount
Vernon after Woodlawn, his childhood
home in Culpeper county, Mrs. Lewis
lived on Woodawn Heights for forty
years, and 1t must have been merry
home to have reflected the vivacity of
naughty girl. Her grandfather general
was her condonng slave She came hon
cstly by any archness of disposition how
ever. for her grandfather Gusts stood out
against his father in the question OF
marriage with beautiful Evelyn BYRD
for many years, and her sreat-srand-
1nther Gusts was the author of his own
most impairment of eptaphs: Under
this marble lies the body Of Hon. John
Custis, Esq, aged seventS-one years ana
yet he lived but seven, which was the
space of time he kept bachelors home
AT Arlington.
She was followed by the Faunueroys,
perhaps a connection Of Betsy Fauntle-
roy, who inspired the youthful affection
of Mr. Washington; the Masons ana wal
tons succeeded, after whom WoodlaWh
fell into the hands of railway company,
who contemplated extending the pleset,
line from Washington to Alexandra ana
Mount Vernon further along to Woodla"n
Mansion and Pohlck Church. thus bring
1ng within convenient reach all the I'M
portant points of George Washlhslohs
country" These gentlemen did not real
izc this idea and two years ago u pc,
came the home of the Kester famiiS, Wei
known for their literary accomplishments
1t is pleasant drive across a terllle'
partly wooded valley from Mount vernon
ia Woodlawn Mansion Splendid FARMS
line the way At one time, however, al
tho lands within circumference of many
miles belonged to the Mount Vernon es-
tate, which determined Its proprietor one
of the wealthiest planters of the colonies
AS long as the way Is within the present
boundaries of Washington's home, the
green heights of Wdodlawn are not Wis.
ible but short drive over stretch OF
bewitching sylvan road leaves the white
shrine out of sight and leads out upon
the open valley, across which the eye a.
once recognizes the majestic proportions
OF woodlawn, on the wooded ridge, per-
haps mile distant and It remains IN
sight almost all the rest of the way,
A SCENE OF BEAUTY.
As 1t comes nearer and nearer 1t de-
fines itself In such harmonious proper
tlcns as make readily appreciabe it's rep
ntation as one of the finest specimens of
Georgian architecture In America. The
road carries past the house, but once
within the grounds and fairly up the hill,
the drive circles back again on shelf
some twenty feet below the mansion, and
then. in gently rising curve. around the
extreme end Of the building and back to
the DOORWAY opposite the circle of VEN
A,Hhls box. There are two fronts, and In