Gunston Hall

Gunston Hall is a colonial-era estate in Fairfax County set on 222 hectares (550 acres) along the Potomac River, consisting of a main residence and outbuildings. The interior rooms display hand-carved woodwork and ceilings, while the grounds alternate between wooded sections and manicured lawns.

George Mason built this residence between 1755 and 1759 and later wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights here, which laid the foundation for the Bill of Rights. The property remained in family ownership until 1867 and opened as a museum in 1949.

The name comes from the Mason family estate in Staffordshire, linking English roots with American heritage. Visitors today see reconstructed outbuildings and workshops that show how the property operated as a working farm.

The museum opens almost year-round and offers guided tours through the main residence, as well as several walking trails around the grounds. Visits typically take about two hours and include both indoor spaces and gardens.

The garden follows authentic 18th-century planting plans and includes species that Mason himself might have chosen. The property also maintains a certified Bluebird Trail recognized as a Virginia Treasure.

Location: Fairfax County

Inception: 1759

Architects: George Mason

Official opening: 1759

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Website: http://gunstonhall.org

GPS coordinates: 38.66390,-77.16030

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27