Historic Blenheim, Fairfax, Virginia
Historic Blenheim
Historic Blenheim was built for Albert and Mary Willcoxon c. 1859 near Fairfax Court House, today’s Fairfax City, Virginia. The family became secessionists, and the house sustained physical damage by Federal forces in July 1861. The Federal army took control of the area in March 1862 and the unpainted interior walls of the house became a blank canvas for Federal soldiers to leave their names, regiments, hometowns, thoughts and pictographs during three distinct time periods in 1862 and 1863. These common soldiers were either camping in the vicinity awaiting orders, convalescing from bouts of disease, or protecting the area. One hundred twenty-six Federal soldiers have been positively identified by January 2025.
