1700s

The property lot was originally purchased in 1742 by Colonel John Lewis, a militia officer, magistrate and prominent Virginia landowner. In 1747, his son Fredericksburg merchant Fielding Lewis and new bride Catharine Washington, first cousin to George Washington, moved into 1201 Princess Anne Street, the house directly across the street.

In February of 1749/50, Catharine passed away leaving behind an infant son. Later that year, Fielding remarried to Betty Washington, the only sister of George Washington. As a gift to his new bride, Fielding built a beautiful, Georgian-style brick mansion, now known as “Kenmore Plantation,” to reflect their pre-Revolutionary War wealth and gentry status. The home is located on the brow of a hill several blocks away. The property lot at 1200 Princess Anne Street was sold in 1776 to William Champe Carter, whose brother was wed to the daughter of Fielding Lewis.

1800s

During the Great Fredericksburg Fire in 1807, 1201 Princess Anne Street burned to the ground. Records indicate that she was rebuilt in 1824 with the interior woodwork and exterior appearance modeled after that of an existing building at 1200 Princess Anne. This is the first mention of a structure at 1200 Princess Anne, though most historians have agreed that the home was built circa 1793. 

1824

Unmarried, 48-year-old Rebecca Lomax completes construction of the Main House. She lives here for the next 32 years along with her unmarried sisters, Catherine (Kitty) and Ellen.

1856 

The property was purchased from the Lomax estate by Thomas Fitzhugh Knox, who ran a mercantile and shipping business in Fredericksburg. Knox lived in the home with his wife Virginia and their nine children.

1861 

War arrives. Six of the Knox sons leave to fight for the Confederacy: Lt. Robert Taylor, Thomas Stuart, Capt. James Soutter, Samuel Gordon, Pvt. Alexander Bell and Douglas Hamilton.

1862

The Knox women – mother Virginia and daughters Virginia Ann Soutter and Mary Campbell – left town after the Union army arrived. Patriarch Thomas remained to protect the family home and business.

1863

In April, the Knox women returned to a home with “thirteen or more immense shell holes in it,” and all the windows broken. Virginia Knox “tacked bleached cotton over the windows for temporary use …”

1911

After over 40 years and four generations of ownership, the Knox family sold the home and property.

1931

The home was purchased by James T. Horton, who added the rear addition and a garage in the basement.

1932

The home was converted to an inn and “The Kenmore Lodge” opens for business. More than 2,000 people attend a celebratory open house.

1973

The Kenmore Lodge was slated for demolition due to the gradual decline of downtown tourism. The lot was considered for the construction of what today is known as the “Big Ugly,” the multi-story executive office building on Caroline Street. The building was saved after public outcry denounced the demolition plans.

1986

Edward and Alice Bannan purchased the Kenmore Inn and added a pub in 1988, along with the Walled Patio Garden and extended the bottom floor in 1989.

2001 

Rob Alling, president of a material handling equipment supplier, purchased the business. After several stages of renovations, the grounds and structure were left in pristine condition with the coppertop bar on the ground level, dining and common spaces on the main level, and nine guest rooms upstairs.

2023

The King family, founders of Ironclad Distillery Co., crafting bourbon in Newport News, Virginia, purchased the Inn to create Ironclad Inn as a Bed & Breakfast, Bourbon Tasting Room, and event space. Inspired by the personalized hospitality of a private family home, the bedrooms and shared spaces are now designed for finding a home away from home where lively stories can be swapped over a bourbon or two. An interconnected part of the family-owned distillery, Ironclad Inn extends Ironclad Distillery Co.’s dedication to quality, connection, and hospitality into the experience of living, traveling, and coming home to a glass of the good stuff.