307 Lewis Street

In 1814–1815, Garrit Minor contracted Joshua Long, a local builder, to construct a two-story, Flemish brick bond dwelling. Minor, whose clients included African-Americans, practiced law in the first third of the 19th century. The house is most famous for its Civil War inhabitant, Mrs. Jane Beale, whose diary chronicles the occupation of Fredericksburg by Union forces. Later, in the first decade of the 20th century, then-owner, Edmonia Ficklen Corbin, contracted with Richmond architect, Marion J. Dimmock, to update and enlarge her home. This addition is the two-story, hipped-roof portion appended to the north elevation of the main block. Other ornate enhancements are visible in the front porch with its Ionic capitals and the decorative relief pattern in its pedimented gable. The central double leaf doorway is complemented by a tracery fanlight within a circular brick arch. What other details can you make out? Bracketed cornice, eyebrow dormer, corbelled chimneys.