One of the oldest commercial store buildings in America, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. (HFFI) restored this rare surviving example of American commercial retail architecture with the help and support of our community between 1997 and 2007. And we’re doing it again in 2025-2026!
A generous grant from the state’s VA250 Preservation Fund is offsetting the cost of repairing the store’s exterior envelope. Our restoration work includes repointing deteriorated brickwork, preserving its iconic sandstone quoins, and replacing the wood-shingle roof that is at the end of its functional life—all in accordance with national standards, set by the Secretary of the Interior (SOI), and preformed by experienced historic tradespeople in our region.
HFFI is thrilled to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s Revolutionary War and Fredericksburg residents’ contributions to the cause for independence. America’s “consumer revolution” helped to fuel the colonists’ rebellion as the British government increasingly levied taxes on all sorts of popular commodities. Colonial merchants like Fielding Lewis (1725-1781) and his second wife, Betty Washington (1733-1797), became some of the war’s biggest proponents. The Lewis family invested heavily–emotionally, socially, and financially–in the revolution. Fielding Lewis’ business, ships, and trade network were used to purchase and deliver goods and ammunition to Colonial troops.
Lewis and his family lived in a house built in 1746 and designed to face the river on the ridge just behind the store until 1775, when they relocated to their new manor house (commonly known today as Kenmore). During HFFI’s first rehabilitation of the Lewis Store, a dendrochronology investigation confirmed its 1749 date of construction.
Conjectural drawing by Joseph Dye Lahendro, Architect PC, of the circa-1749 Lewis Store east elevation.
Originally one-and-a-half stories tall, the brick store was designed to house, market, and sell merchandise transported to Fredericksburg by the Lewis family’s shipping business. Its unique, durable, and stylish Georgian architecture was also an advertisement—reflecting the wealth and commercial aspirations of one of Virginia’s richest families. Customers could purchase refined goods like salt, brown sugar, molasses, coffee, tea, white and brown linens, stockings, handkerchiefs, tobacco, rum, spices and medicines, and writing paper at this store.
Want to lend a hand to help us Restore the Store!? Support HFFI’s commitment to match 50% of the cost of this important restoration – click here!
Powered by volunteers, generous donations, and a shared dedication to stewarding the historic fabric of Fredericksburg for more than 70 years, HFFI has worked to preserve the history we can see and feel. Thank you, fellow fans of historic Fredericksburg, for continuing to support our efforts to keep Fredericksburg’s history alive!