Sayward-Wheeler House

The Sayward-Wheeler House is a colonial dwelling beside the York River featuring original wooden beams, period furnishings, and several fireplaces dating from the 1700s. The building contains multiple rooms with distinct functions typical of a prosperous merchant residence from that era.

Jonathan Sayward acquired the property in 1747 and transformed the simple dwelling into a refined merchant residence. Few changes occurred after 1767, making the building particularly informative about the pre-revolutionary period.

The house shows how wealthy merchant families lived and used their spaces in New England during colonial times. The preserved furnishings and personal objects reveal everyday habits and social divisions of that era.

The house operates seasonally from June through October with guided tours available. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and narrow staircases throughout the interior spaces.

The house underwent minimal changes after 1767 because financial hardship made renovations impossible. These difficult circumstances preserved it in its original state, making it a rare record of everyday architecture before the American Revolution.