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Stratford Hall renovations taking mansion back in time FAMOUS LEES

Stratford Hall undergoing changes to make it more like the home where Robert E. Lee was born

Date published: 1/1/2008

BY FRANK DELANO

Massive and majestic, Stratford Hall has crowned the cliffs above the Potomac River in Westmoreland County for almost three centuries.

For about 100 of those years, various Lees of Stratford played starring roles in American history. Some of them helped forge the nation. One of them nearly tore it apart.

The 1738 mansion has seen many changes. Many more are in the works as a new generation of caretakers of the 1,600-acre plantation plots new courses for Stratford on the ever-changing tides of American history and culture.

The present changes begin at the front door and go deep underground, said Paul R. Reber, 48, who became Stratford's executive director in 2006. Some changes are in place, others years away.

In the past, visitors to the mansion arrived through what researchers now think was a sort of ground-level servants' entrance. The doorway led to an immense "English basement" that the Lees probably used mostly for housekeeping and storage purposes.

Now visitors ascend exterior stairs and enter the great central hall. It was in this 1,600-square-foot room that the Lees received guests and staged days-long dances and festivities for their neighbors. The family used the eight rooms flanking the hall as their living quarters.

Gone from the Great Hall are the harpsichord and other pieces of delicate, ornate furniture that once graced the room. In their place are 12 chairs, two sofas and two tables--the same number and kind of pieces inventoried after the 1750 death of Stratford's builder Thomas Lee.

The new pieces are not priceless originals. They are sturdy, simple Queen Anne reproductions where visitors now plop to hear docents describe Stratford's history.

In coming years, Reber said, more of Stratford's exquisite Colonial furniture from New York and New England will be replaced with "the simple, locally made furniture" that the Lees themselves would have mostly used.

In 2003, Stratford sold six pieces of 18th-century American furniture from Boston and Philadelphia for $2.7 million.

Thomas Lee (1690-1750)--Served in House or Burgesses, built "Stratford"--named after his grandfather's estate in England--on 1,443-acre tract along the Potomac. Philip Ludwell Lee (1727-75)--Inherited Stratford Hall after his father Thomas' death in 1750. Member of the ruling Council of Virginia. Richard Henry Lee (1732-94)--Led Stamp Act protest in Virginia, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Francis Lightfoot Lee (1734-97)--Close associate of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, signed Declaration of Independence. William Lee (1739-95)--Sheriff and alderman in London, he used his positions there to pass on information to his brothers in Virginia to further independence. Thomas Ludwell Lee (1730-78)--Served in the Virginia Senate, co-authored resolution making Virginia first colony to officially declare for separation from Britain. Arthur Lee (1740-92)--Doctor who became Continental Congress' secret agent in London, building support from France. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee (1756-1818)--Revolutionary War hero who later married Philip Lee's daughter and became governor of Virginia. Robert E. Lee Jr. (1807-70)--Commander in chief of Confederate army. The son of "Light Horse Harry" was last Lee born at Stratford to survive to maturity.

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Date published: 1/1/2008