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

View visitor information brochure(PDF, 988KB)

Free Guided Historic Blenheim House tours
  • Available Tuesday–Saturday 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 one group (up to 7 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.
  • See Grandma’s Cottage (c.1840)*, once home to Margaret Conn Willcoxon Farr, Albert Willcoxon’s sister.
  • The cottage features rare log-wall construction with hewn timber framing and brick infill.
  • Stop at the Willcoxon Family Cemetery, where both Willcoxon and Farr family members are buried.
    *Note: Cottage interior is not currently open to the public.


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

Events

View all history & heritage events

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

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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.
  • Watch videos highlighting the house graffiti in the multipurpose room.

Gift shop

Visit the gift shop for books, children’s games, Civil War replica items, and local souvenirs.

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

703-591-0560
sean.redmiles@fairfaxva.gov

Hours

Civil War Interpretive Center
Tuesday - Saturday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

House Tour
1 p.m.

Closed
New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the day after (Friday), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and select other holidays.

Free admission
Fully accessible
Free parking on site

Postal Address

10209 Main St.
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