The Kenmore Inn dates back to the time of our forefathers, the property being on the original boundary line of Fredericksburg as laid out in 1757. (Walk across Lewis Street and look at the corner marker that was first laid.)

The property was orininally 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 Kenmore, 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. I was again sold in 1794, along with 1201 Princess Anne, to the William Stanard family. Both families were direct descendants of the Lewis/Washingtons.

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 wordwork was molded after that of an existing building at 1200 Princess Anne. This is the first mention of a structure at 1200 Princess Anne and is an issue of which there is much controversy among local historians. The Stanard 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 house remained as a family dwelling until 1931, with some of Virginia's most prestigious families living here, such as 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 Vandenberg Hall in 1933. Mrs. Hall 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). We hope you enjoy our hospitality and will take the opportunity to look around the Inn and our beautiful city. Fredericksburg is filled with homes, artifacts and historic sites that date from the period of revolutionary and civil war struggles that forged our great nation.

When you enter the Inn you will experience the beauty of crystal chandeliers, oriental rugs, polished Georgian side tables, and an enormous gilted mirror enhancing the foyer. A sweeping staircase leads to some of the guest rooms...a handsome assortment of both cozy and spacious accommodations furnished with a mix of antiques. Expect to find pretty coverlets, some four-poster beds, antique chests, and walls hung with prints. The house has eight working fireplaces, four in the bedrooms.