Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim

Blenheim, a historic house in Fairfax, Virginia was built shortly before the American Civil War in 1859 by Albert and Mary Willcoxon. It passed through four generations of their descendants before being acquired by the City of Fairfax in 1999.

The brick farmhouse was built using the Greek Revival style on land belonging to Rezin Willcoxon, Albert’s father, who had lived on the land since 1850. 

Only after the purchase were the secrets of this home’s past truly unlocked. Etched on the walls and attic of Blenheim are a plethora of signatures, pictographs, and musings left by Federal soldiers who occupied the home during the years 1862-1863. This “diary on the walls”offers an incredibly rare opportunity to examine first-hand messages from the distant past.

Visitors can explore Grandma’s Cottage, an 1840 dwelling that was home to Margaret Conn Willcoxon Farr, the sister of Albert Willcoxon. The cottage features log walls and rare-hewn timber framing with brick masonry infill between the studs.

There’s also a Civil War Interpretive Center which includes a replica of the attic (which is not open to the public), so that patrons can examine the writings and etchings and consider their meaning. Other highlights include an illustrated Civil War timeline, military artifacts, biographical references for soldiers, and information on residents and enslaved people who lived at Blenheim.