Marshall, Gen. George C., House
Also known as: Dodona Manor
Why it's listed
Dodona Manor is a rambling painted brick house on a four-acre hilltop at the edge of Leesburg, Virginia. Construction began in the late 1820s, with a southern addition around 1850 and a long rear service wing added within the next decade. A four-column porch of about 1910 dominates the west front. Green shutters and a red tin roof complete the exterior, while the spare ornament is Greek Revival. General George C. Marshall lived here from 1941 until his death in 1959, and the property is recognized for that association. During those years he led the U.S. Army through World War II, served as Secretary of State, and shaped the European Recovery Program, the Marshall Plan, earning a Nobel Peace Prize. He changed little in the house, and his study, bedroom, furniture, patio and gardens largely survive. A preservation group planned to restore the house and grounds as a museum.
Significance in brief: General George C. Marshall lived here from 1941 until his death in 1959, the years in which he led the U.S. Army through World War II, served as Secretary of State, and developed the Marshall Plan, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. The house is argued to be the property most closely associated with him and remains largely as he knew it.
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 96000972, listed June 19, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 217 Edwards Ferry Rd., Leesburg |
|---|---|
| County | Loudoun County |
| Listed | June 19, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000972 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1941-1959 |
| Architectural style | Late Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 19, 1996 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restoration and stabilization were planned or underway for use as a historic house museum; the form lists current use as work in progress. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Within district | Leesburg Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.11352, -77.55971 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 96000972.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5287981
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.