Stonewall Jackson House | Lexington

The Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington, Virginia, is a carefully preserved historic home that offers an intimate look into the life of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, one of the most renowned Confederate generals during the American Civil War. This house stands as the only home Jackson ever personally owned and provides deep insights into his civilian life prior to the war, particularly during his tenure as a professor at the nearby Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

Historical Context and Significance

Jackson purchased the house in 1858 for $3,000. At that time, he was serving as a professor of artillery tactics and natural and experimental philosophy at VMI. He lived in this home with his wife, Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, up until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. The residence reflects the domestic and social life of Jackson during a period when he was establishing his family and career in Lexington, away from his military campaigns.

After Jackson left for the war, the house went through various transformations. Notably, from 1907 to 1954, the building served as the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. This period added layers of historical use to the structure, bridging the 19th and 20th centuries. Later, recognizing its importance, the house was restored in 1979 to resemble its appearance during Jackson’s residency, highlighting its role as a museum dedicated to preserving his legacy.

Architecture and Layout

The Stonewall Jackson House is a two-story brick townhouse reflecting mid-19th-century architectural styles typical of affluent middle-class homes in small Southern towns. The layout of the house includes multiple rooms that have been meticulously restored to evoke the period’s atmosphere, featuring original or period-appropriate furnishings, household items, and decorative elements.

Visitors to the house can explore the parlor, dining room, bedrooms, and kitchen, all arranged to provide a realistic and immersive experience of daily life for the Jackson family. The decor emphasizes simplicity and functionality, mirroring Jackson’s personal character-devout, disciplined, and modest.

Museum Experience and Exhibits

The Stonewall Jackson House operates as a museum, offering self-guided tours enhanced by multimedia presentations and interpretative exhibits. These elements illuminate various aspects of Jackson’s life beyond his military career:

Academic Life: Visitors learn about Jackson’s role as a professor at VMI, his dedication to teaching artillery and engineering, and how this period shaped his disciplined approach to military strategy later on.

Family Life: The museum highlights the relationship between Jackson and his wife, Mary Anna, showcasing personal artifacts, letters, and stories that reveal their close bond and domestic routines.

Religious and Community Engagement: Jackson was a deeply religious man who was active in his local church and community, which the museum explores through exhibits on his faith and moral principles.

Business Ventures: The museum also touches on Jackson’s work as a businessman and landlord in Lexington, showing his involvement in local affairs.

The museum garden surrounding the house is an important feature, cultivated with flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables typical of the 1850s. This garden reflects the self-sustaining lifestyle of the era and adds to the immersive historical atmosphere.

Visitor Information and Services

Location: The house is situated at 8 East Washington Street, in downtown Lexington, just a short walk from the Virginia Military Institute campus and the city’s Historic Visitor Center.

Hours of Operation: The museum is open seasonally from March through December. Typical hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The house is closed in January and February for maintenance.

Admission Fees: Ticket prices are affordable, with adults paying $8, youths ages 6–17 paying $6, and children under 6 admitted free. Special discounts are available for VMI alumni, faculty, staff, cadets, military personnel, and AAA/CAA members.

Tours: Visitors explore the house via self-guided tours, supported by video presentations and interpretative signage. During periods when the house is closed for maintenance, such as early spring, garden talks and alternative programming are offered to keep visitors engaged.

Educational and Community Role

The Stonewall Jackson House is not only a museum but also a center for historical education and community engagement. It provides programs and events that explore the broader context of Jackson’s life, the Civil War era, and 19th-century Southern culture. The museum fosters a nuanced understanding of Jackson’s legacy, acknowledging his military accomplishments while also providing insight into his personal convictions, daily life, and the complexities of the historical period.

The house’s proximity to VMI and other historic Lexington sites makes it an essential stop for visitors interested in Civil War history, Southern heritage, and the life of one of the Confederacy’s most legendary figures.

Summary

The Stonewall Jackson House stands as a richly detailed and evocative historic site that preserves the memory of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s life before his military fame. Its restoration and museum exhibits reveal the man behind the military icon-his family life, academic career, religious devotion, and role in the Lexington community. This site offers visitors a rare opportunity to step back into the mid-19th century and understand the everyday experiences that shaped one of America’s most famous generals.