After one of the George Washington biographies I recently read recently, I researched all of his brothers and the plantations where they lived…
Thus, when the Northern Neck Historical Society announced on their facebook page an invite to visit Bushfield Manor, I couldn’t wait to show my husband.
Would he be interested in seeing this lovely manor I’ve been talking so much about in the last few weeks?
Yes, he would, so we purchased our tickets!
HOME OF JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON
Bushfield Manor is the 18th century home of George Washington’s younger brother, John Augustine.
After John Augustine married Hannah Bushrod, they inherited her father’s home of Bushfield.
In response to the Stamp Act, John Augustine and two of his brothers, Samuel and Charles, signed the Westmoreland Resolves with 110 other men of the surrounding community.
After the Boston Tea Party the British retaliated by closing the ports and installing MORE troops on the tiny land mass of the town.
Thus, John Augustine chaired relief efforts in his county, sending grain through Boston’s backdoor.
John Augustine also served on the Committee of Safety as well as serving as colonel of the militia.
While George Washington is known to have visited Bushfield, John Augustine also visited Mount Vernon…each staying overnight in their homes.
BUSHROD WASHINGTON INHERITS HOME
One of John Augustine’s sons, Bushrod Washington, became a Supreme Court justice and married Julia Ann Blackburn of Rippon Lodge in Woodbridge (which we recently visited).
Eventually, Bushrod inherited Bushfield, while his wife inherited Rippon Lodge…both of which Bushrod needed to sell.
Bushrod also inherited Mount Vernon from his uncle, George Washington, which he struggled to keep afloat.
With all this typical intertwining of history of 18th century Virginia families, I couldn’t wait to visit the home for myself.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY FULL OF HISTORY
Driving south from Northern Virginia on I-95 (which was surprisingly easy on this Saturday afternoon), we veered west on Rte 3 when we reached Fredericksburg.
From there is a little known road I had only traveled once before many years ago.
As we drove through the countryside to Westmoreland County, I pointed out to my husband all the sites yet for us to see: George Washington’s birthplace, James Madison’s birthplace, James Monroe’s birthplace, Richard Henry Lee’s birthplace, Robert Carter III’s birthplace, and more….
When we entered Westmoreland County, a billboard rightfully bragged of their 300 year history and 250 miles of coastline!
This gorgeous 18th century home of Bushfield is located on the waterfront near Nomini Creek which empties into the Potomac River.
COLONIAL REVIVAL STYLE
In 1915, Waddy Butler Wood, an architect from Washington DC who specialized in Colonial Revival style, was hired by the owner, Mark Skinner Willing, to renovate the house.
Expanding the space, Wood protected the original footprint and original rooms.
Adding wings on each side of the house, and a third floor, a cupola was added to the top.
Then the outside was covered in bricks in a Flemish bond pattern (where the bricks alternate long side laid to short side) which was popular in the grand Georgian plantation homes of the 18th century.
After Willing passed away in 1944, Bushfield Manor changed ownership a few more times.
Interestingly, it even became part of a golf course around the 1960s.
Rumor has it that Bushfield Manor was the club house/dining room.
PRESERVATION AWARD
In 2012 the Millers purchased the property, because the husband lived here as a child, and joyfully he was able to purchase it and live here again, now with his wife and children.
Finding much need of repairs from the dreaded harbingers of time, the Millers set to conquer termite damage, repair chimneys, etc, etc, etc.
Thus, the big event for the evening involved a special award to the Millers:
The Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society’s John Paul Hanbury Award recognizes outstanding preservations, renovations, and restorations of historic structures in Virginia’s Northern Neck.
HOUSE TOUR
Afterwards we enjoyed a tour of this stunning historic house!
I love the wall paper in the dining room…
I also loved the view from the third floor balcony!
We enjoyed an 18th century dinner in the newly built Carriage House: Martha Washington’s Crab Soup, Artichoke and Cheddar Cheese Pie with Pepper Crust, Sugar & Spice Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Fried Catfish, Cabbage & Pear Compote, “Bourboned” Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Peach Ice Cream & Wafer, Water, Iced Tea, Cash Bar
DINNER IN THE CARRIAGE HOUSE
WATER VIEWS ABOUND
Waterviews abound from the manor, the carriage house, and the grounds….
SCENIC PROPERTY
Crepe myrtles dripping with blooms are everywhere…
EVENT VENUE
Although the Millers live here, Bushfield Manor is also an amazing event venue…which I highly recommend.
Everyone’s worst fear for an event is getting rained out.
Well, we drove through a deluge right before we arrived (about 15 minutes early).
They were ready with Plan B of the program to keep us dry.
In between the house tour and the dining, there was another deluge…but again, they were on it!
On top of their readiness, the place is quite clean, fresh, and lovely!
