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The “Old Patent Office” was started in 1836 and completed in 1867.  Only the south wing is of sandstone, other wings are of white marble.  The south wing facade is patterned after the Parthenon.  In 1964 – 67 this Greek Revival building became home to the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of American…

For almost a century, 1694 – 1791,  Aquia stone was quarried from Brent’s Island to assist in the construction of homes, buildings, bridges as well as in the creative arts like mantles and gravestones. After the U.S. Government purchased the island in 1791, most of the stone created the President’s House and U.S. Capitol.  Capitol…

This stately mansion sits on a bluff in Yorktown, Virginia, and was built around 1730.  It was constructed of English-made bricks, previously used as ships’ ballast.  Aquia stone from Government Island was used for decorative trim.  During the Revolutionary War, Thomas Nelson, Jr., lived in the house that was built by his grandfather.  Nelson, a…

The White House was first painted in 1798.  Thereafter, it was painted about every four years for the new president.  In the 1980s through the 1990s the White House underwent a paint removal process and an Aquia stone restoration project.  After 42 layers of paint were removed from the entrance at the North Portico, it…

This account has been compiled from the Free Lance newspaper of Fredericksburg, Virginia, October 16, 1894, through September 27, 1895, by Robert A. Hodge. Charles Jasper Searcey was born in Palopinto County, Texas, December 12, 1858. He grew into a tall, slender, wiry man with well-developed shoulders, deep-set dark eyes, a low but pleasant voice, and exhibited good…

On September 5, 1961, Doretha and Cynthia Montague, enrolled in the first and third grades and integrated Stafford schools by entering Stafford Elementary School (today’s Bandy Building). Cynthia Montegue entering Stafford Elementary School (1961) Cynthia Montague Stafford Elementary School 1961 Stafford Elementary Cannery Bldg 1961  

The burning of Richland was the Fredericksburg area’s only known Revolutionary War fighting between organized units. The shooting part of the Revolution came to Stafford in July 1776, 15 months after Virginia’s Royal Governor, John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, declared his colony in rebellion and a year after he moved the seat of his…

On April 19, 1775, the American Revolution started at Lexington and Concord. On October 19, 1781, six years later, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. On September 3, 1783 the final treaty recognizing American independence was signed in Paris. After eight long years, the Americans had won their independence. Over 300 Staffordians are listed in rosters as…