User:Scottnfred/St. James' House

The St. James' House, located at 130 Charles Street, in Fredericksburg, VA, is a 1768 "Gentleman's Cottage" owned by the Mary Washington Branch of Preservation Virginia. Named for his family's original parish in Ireland, James Mercer, a lawyer, built the house as his residence in Fredericksburg where he practiced. Mercer went on to be a judge in Richmond in the State court system.

Later home to a succession of residents -- the mid-nineteenth century Howison family with thirteen children -- being one of the residents, the building was falling into great disrepair when, in the 1960s, the St. James House was bought and restored by Daniel Breslin and William Tarleton, who completely furnished it with their interpretation of 18th Century items. Upon their deaths, the house and an endowed support fund, went to the then-named Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, now "Preservation Virginia". Because of its small size, the house is open to the public during Virginia Garden Week, each April, and a week in October as well as by appointment.