Sully
Why it's listed
Built in 1794 by Richard Bland Lee, Sully is a three-part frame farmhouse near Chantilly, Virginia, resting on a foundation of local brown sandstone. The two-story center section has a side-hall plan and end chimneys. An east wing was added in 1799 and a west kitchen wing in the 1840s. A south porch with scrolled eave work and fluted square columns survives, as do most of the original mantels, floors and woodwork, which appear adapted from a Batty Langley pattern book. Nearby stand a log cabin, a smokehouse and a two-story stone building. Lee was the brother of "Light Horse Harry" Lee and uncle of Robert E. Lee, and he hosted George Washington and James and Dolley Madison here. In 1957 the land was acquired for what became Dulles International Airport, and plans to burn the house were stopped by a Special Act of Congress. It now operates as a house museum, valued as a late-eighteenth-century farm complex.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Sully as an important example of a late-eighteenth-century farm complex, with fine woodwork that shows the care given to modest Virginia dwellings. It is also tied to the Lee family and their acquaintances, including George Washington and the Madisons. Its rescue from destruction through cooperation between the federal government and private citizens is cited as significant.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 70000793, listed December 18, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of jct. of Rtes. 28 and U.S. 50, Chantilly |
|---|---|
| County | Fairfax (city and county) |
| Listed | December 18, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000793 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (specific date 1794) |
| Architect / builder | Richard Bland Lee (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition, unoccupied and open to the public as a house museum owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority. |
| Acreage | 65 |
| Coordinates | 38.90819, -77.43186 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 70000793.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7636464
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.