Grand Staircase

Grand Staircase

This is the grand staircase. Young Robert laughed at the echoing sound of his own feet as he ran up and down the stairs.

Ascending the stairs is a series of five portraits depicting Lee at approximately ten year intervals in his military career from West Point Cadet to Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.

At its foot, General Lee rested his ailing heart after making his last visit upstairs to his mother's room in the spring of 1870.

When the Lee's moved in the family consisted of: Light-Horse Harry Lee, 56 in 1812; his wife, Ann, 39; and children: Carter, 14; Ann Kinloch, 12; Smith, 10; Robert, 5; and Mildred, 1.

This was one of three Alexandria houses rented by this Lee family. Initially living at 611 Cameron Street, they moved here in 1812 after the birth of Mildred. From 1816 to 1820, Mrs. Lee moved her family to 407 N. Washington Street. The temporary move to smaller quarters might have been an economy measure.