The property of The Kenmore Inn dates back to the time of our forefathers by marking the original boundary line of Fredericksburg in 1757, with the first corner marker laid right across Lewis Street.
The property was originally purchased in 1742 by Colonel John Lewis. In 1747, his son Fielding Lewis and his new bride Catharine Washington (1st cousin to George Washington) moved to 1201 Princess Anne Street, the house directly across the street to The Kenmore Inn. In the January of 1750, Catherine died, leaving an infant son behind. Later that year, Fielding married Betty Washington, the only sister of George Washington. Fielding then built for his new bride the mansion, now known as the "Kenmore Plantation", on the brow of a hill several blocks away.
The lot of the Kenmore Inn was sold in 1776 to the William Champe Carter family and again sold in 1794, along with 1201 Princess Anne, to the William Stanard family. Both families were direct descendants of the Lewis/Washington family.
Much controversy exists among local historians with regards to the origin of the actual building of The Kenmore Inn. During the Great Fredericksburg Fire in 1807, 1201 Princess Anne Street burned to the ground. Records indicate that she was rebuilt in 1812 with the interior woodwork and exterior appearance molded after that of an existing building at 1200 Princess Anne. This is the first mention of a structure at 1200 Princess Anne, though most historians have agreed that the home was built circa 1793.
The Stanard family conveyed the property to Rebecca Tayloe Lomax in 1819. December 13, 1862 began the Battle of Fredericksburg. Though heavily shelled, the house stood strong and remained intact. Within its walls, Union soldiers housed their horses on the lower level during the battle. Today, evidence of the shelling can still be seen in some of the roof supports. After the war, the home remained as a family dwelling until 1931, with some of Virginia's most prestigious families living there, including Alexander Phillips, Thomas Knox, and Samuel Gordon Wallace.
In 1931, the house was sold to James T. Horton. Horton made major additions to the structure, adding on a rear wing and an underground garage. He then opened a small hotel known as the "Kenmore Tavern". Horton sold the property to his sister, Harriet Elizabeth Vandenburg Hall in 1933. For years, Mrs. Hall continued to operate the property as a small hotel and boarding house. Mrs. Hall leased the lower level of Kenmore to Mr. Charles Lakey, who operated the Kenmore Coffee Shop there from 1939-1978. Edward and Alice Bannan purchased the Kenmore Inn in 1986 and added the Kenmore Pub (1988), and Sunken Patio Garden and Garden Room (1989).
In 2001, the current owner Rob Alling purchased the Inn, changing the location of the guest rooms to only upstairs and adding many decorative features to the Inn. He continues to embellish the historic parlors and bedrooms of the Kenmore Inn to make one's experience in Fredericksburg even more enchanting and memorable. Our service oriented Management Team (General Manager Nancy Zdanis, Executive Chef Josh Oleson and Events Coordinator Jennifer Hellier) would like to welcome you to explore all we have to offer.
