Wessyngton

Wessyngton is a plantation house in Cedar Hill with symmetrical proportions and classical architectural details characteristic of early Federal style architecture. The structure displays balanced facades and carefully designed interior spaces that reflect the formal building practices of the early 1800s.

The estate was built in 1815 for Joseph Washington, a cousin of President George Washington, and later became the largest tobacco plantation in the United States. This vast agricultural operation shaped the region for many decades.

The house holds a collection of portraits from the 1890s commissioned by Joseph Washington that show the household workers who kept daily operations running. These paintings offer a rare view into the lives of the people who worked behind the scenes.

The property has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, underscoring its historical importance. Visitors should be prepared to spend time observing the Federal architectural style and period details throughout the grounds.

The property received Century Farm status in 1976, marking continuous agricultural use on the same land by the Washington family for more than a century. This long continuous operational history is uncommon among plantation estates.

Location: Robertson County

Inception: 1815

Architectural style: Federal architecture

GPS coordinates: 36.50139,-87.00389

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05