Mrs. Lee's Magnolia

Mrs. Lee's Magnolia

At the rear of the Home, in the El formed by the main structure and the kitchen wing, stood a Magnolia tree, Magnolia grandiflora, of undetermined age, which might have been placed there by General Lee's mother,

This view also shows the block-like addition housing the stair tower which made possible the foyer's grand staircase. At the base of the stair tower is the rear entrance of the Home's central hall. To the left is the winter kitchen door. The fence shared with the adjacent property at 609 Oronoco Street is to the left.

This area was a shady retreat in summer. On special ocassions such as weddings the addition of a tent turned the brick floored patio into a convenient extra room.

William Fitzhugh recounted that he would stand at the staircase window and follow progress on the construction of the "Federal City" across the Potomac.