Federal Hill

Federal Hill was built by Sir Alexander Spotswood, a colonial governor of Virginia. Tradition says it was constructed for state purposes and by order of Queen Anne. It is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture with a severely plain exterior. The interior contains exquisitely carved wood-work of great dignity, and the stairway is quite unique. There is a record in the Congressional Library which states that “After the Revolutionary War Governor Robert Brook of Virginia bought a house in Fredericksburg and re-named it `Federal Hill’ after the Federalist Party of which he was one of the founders.” The house stands on the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the remains of trenches are visible across the terrace and lawn.