The Morning Room

The morning room was restored in 1976. The original woodwork here consists of the crown molding, cupboards mantel and the outside window frames. Mrs. Lee probably used this as a family room and its interior location next to the kitchen made it a comforable sitting room in her later years.

The book on the table before us is an 1824 edition of Homer's Iliad in Greek and Latin. On his West Point application, Robert E. Lee wrote that he had read both Greek and Latin. Homer was one of the writers he mentioned. His earliest education here came as a visitor with tutors at his Aunt's home, Eastern View. His primary education came at the Alexandria Academy. In 1824, while waiting to enter West Point, he was tutored by Benjamin Hallowell a Quaker educator from Philadelphia who had established an academy next door at 609 Oronoco. We are indebted to Mr. Hallowell for his account of Lafayette's visit.