History of the Kenmore Inn

The Kenmore Inn dates back to the time of our forefathers, the property marking the original boundary line of Fredericksburg in 1757. You can walk across Lewis Street and look at the corner marker that was first laid. .

The property was originally purchased by Fielding Lewis' father, Colonel John Lewis in 1742. Either Col. Lewis or Fielding built the house across the street, 1201 Princess Anne. Fielding brought his first bride, Catherine Washington, to live there in 1747. Catherine died in January 1750, leaving an infant son. Later that year, Fielding was married to Betty Washington, 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 Kenmore Inn dates back to the time of our forefathers, the property marking the original boundary line of Fredericksburg in 1757. You can walk across Lewis Street and look at the corner marker that was first laid. . The property was originally purchased by Fielding Lewis' father, Colonel John Lewis in 1742. Either Col. Lewis or Fielding built the house across the street, 1201 Princess Anne. Fielding brought his first bride, Catherine Washington, to live there in 1747. Catherine died in January 1750, leaving an infant son. Later that year, Fielding was married to Betty Washington, 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. It was again sold in 1794, along with 1201 Princess Anne, to the William Stanard family. Both families were direct descendants of the Lewis/Washington's. In 1807, at the time of the great Fredericksburg fire, 1201 Princess Anne burned. The records indicate that 1201 Princess Anne was rebuilt in 1812 and that the interior woodwork was molded after that of an existing building at 1200 Princess Anne. This is the first mention of a structure at 1200 Princess Anne. Much controversy exists among local historians with regards to the beginnings of the building. The Standard family conveyed the property to Rebecca Tayloe Lomax in 1819. The house remained intact, though heavily shelled, during the battle of Fredericksburg. Today, there is still evidence of this shelling in some of the roof supports. Union soldiers housed their horses in the lower level. After the war, the home remained as a family dwelling until 1931, with some of Virginia's most prestigious families living here, 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 "Kenmore Tavern". Horton sold the property to his sister, Harriet Elizabeth Vandenburg Hall in 1933. Mrs.Vandenburg continued to operate the property as a small hotel and boarding house for years. 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). Owner Rob Alling continues to embellish the historic parlors and bedrooms of the Kenmore Inn to make your experience in Fredericksburg even more enchanting and memorable. It is our hope that you will find the Kenmore a retreat from the ordinary in both our accommodations and dining. We have both standard and deluxe rooms with working fireplaces, relaxed pub dining, and fine dining available. We can accommodate special events, weddings and receptions as well as private parties. Please call us for more information at (540) 371-7622.
The Kenmore Inn 1200 Princess Anne Street Old Town Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Phone (540) 371-7622
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