Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Historic Blenheim Sign

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Historic Blenheim House 

In 1862-63, Federal soldiers left graffiti on the interior house walls of the c. 1859 brick home of the Willcoxon family.  Learn about the challenges and experience of the common soldiers who left their marks on the walls; the lives of the Willcoxon family; and the struggles and perseverance of the enslaved laborers of African descent owned by the family.

Tour Information

Free Guided Historic Blenheim House tours
  • Available Saturdays at 1 p.m.
  • Meet your knowledgeable docent in the Civil War Interpretive Center.
  • Tour includes the house's first floor and historic landscape.
  • Limited to 15 people
Group reservations
  • Groups of 4+ should call 703-591-0560 to schedule.
  • Tour groups of 8 or more and educational tours and programs require reservations and a fee. Visit the history & heritage events page for more information. 
Self-guided grounds tour
  • Explore the secluded 12 acres of grounds and read interpretive signage along accessible pathways.
  • The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.


ADA Accommodations: Call 703-591-0560 or 703-385-8414.

Events

View all history & heritage events

Play Ball! A Historic Baseball Experience

Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 02:00 PM to 04:30 PM

Step up to the plate for an afternoon of America's pastime as it was played more than 150 years ago! Hear a talk on the early history of baseball, then take the field using 19th-century rules and equipment while George Mason University's 8th Green Machine Band performs period music. Prefer to watch? Spectator seating is available. Anyone age 6 and up can play; registration is required for all.

Historic Blenheim, 3610 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030

Tagged as: , History & Heritage

A History Mystery

Saturday, November 07, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Join the staff at Historic Blenheim to solve a history-related mystery! Participants will find clues, solve puzzles and explore the grounds and historic house at Blenheim. This program is suitable for ages 10-14 yrs.

Registration is full for this program. Email sean.redmiles@fairfaxva.gov to join our waitlist or to learn info on future offerings.

Historic Blenheim, 3610 Blenheim Boulevard.,  22030

Tagged as: , History & Heritage

Civil War Survival Skills

Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Participants will practice the skills that soldiers used to survive long marches over rough terrain in different climates. Participants will learn how to pitch a civil war dog-tent, conduct 19th-century laundry, and drill like a Civil War soldier. Registration required. All registered participants must be accompanied by an adult. Click this event to get to registration link.

Historic Blenheim, 3610 Blenheim Blvd.,  22030

Tagged as: , History & Heritage

Cooking Through History: A Taste of Sri Lanka

Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Explore the history and flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine in this interactive cooking class. Participants will learn traditional techniques for preparing fresh coconut, discover its cultural significance, and work together to create and sample a classic Sri Lankan dish. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration is required for all participants.

Historic Blenheim, 3610 Blenheim Blvd.,  22030

Tagged as: , History & Heritage

Your Visit

Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Center is renowned for the signatures, pictographs, and thoughts of Federal soldiers preserved on the attic and house walls of this Greek-Revival/Georgian-style brick house. This “diary on the walls” left by soldiers in 1862-1863 provides historians and visitors insight into the lives of common soldiers.  The deep effect of the Civil War also extends to the house owners--the Willcoxon Family--and to the enslaved people of African descent who they owned.  These enslaved laborers who were able to move into freedom and finally become recognized citizens of the United States.

Civil War Interpretive Center

Civil war interpretive center with grassy knoll

Begin your visit at the modern Civil War Interpretive Center where a gallery features a full-sized ADA accessible replica of the house's attic. The original attic is not accessible to the public.

  • Examine the graffiti up-close as tangible artifacts that provide a direct link to these soldiers and their lives.
  • Learn more Civil War history with an illustrated timeline of Civil War events, artifacts that interpret the common soldier, soldier biographies, information about the family and enslaved laborers, and temporary displays.

 

Revealing History

Historic Blenheim, a Virginia Civil War Trails and Northern Virginia Graffiti Trail site, received a federal grant to further analyze the writings on the wall with cutting-edge multispectral technology.

To learn about the newest investigative research of the graffiti, watch the video below.

Location

Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim,  3610 Blenheim Blvd,  Fairfax, VA 22030  View Map

Google Map

About Us

Type

  • Historic Resources

Contact for school, scout, and adult tours

Historic Resources
703-591-0560
HistoricResources@Fairfaxva.gov

Hours

Wednesday-Saturday
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Free admission
Fully accessible
Free parking on site

Grounds are open from dawn to dusk

Postal Address

10209 Main St.
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