This Week’s Find: The House Where George Washington Used to Hang

• October 14, 2011
• 1 Comment

by Shilpi Paul

517 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA

Built in 1772 (four years before the Declaration of Independence was signed), This Week’s Find is a massive Old Town farmhouse whose original owner, Patrick Murray, allegedly played host to George Washington in Alexandria’s early years.

The Fawcett-Reeder House, known historically as the John Douglas Brown House, is a private residence that has been featured on several walking tours in Old Town. John Douglas Brown and his descendants lived in the home from 1816 until the late 20th century and the current owner has kept the colonial atmosphere alive; there are seven fireplaces that sit below portraits of founding fathers and revolutionary-era relics.

McCrery Architects renovated the private residence in the past several years, including restoring the original wide pine siding and interior walls and building a kitchen annex with modern amenities. They also renovated the formal parlor and dining room, but stayed true to the 18th-century style of the home, which is sometimes touted on tours as the “least touched home” from the revolutionary era.

The current owner put the home on the market back in 2010 for $2.5 million, and it reappeared a few days ago at $1.8 million. More details and photos below.

• Full Listing: 517 Prince Street (map)
• Price: $1.849 million
• Bedrooms: Four
• Bathrooms: Three
• Listing Agent: Paul Anderson, McEnearney Associates

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/this_weeks_find_the_house_where_george_washington_used_to_hang/4346

1 Comment

1. Geori said at 6:07 pm on Friday October 14, 2011:
   I remember going to an antique sale there last year and thought it was an antique shop. Has the owner been living in it?