The House

George and Ann Mason’s stylish home showcased their wealth and prominence. Gunston Hall wasn’t just a residence, it was a statement. Explore the complexities of Col. Mason’s life as a family man, community leader, and founding father, as well as the lives of the many individuals, free and enslaved, who lived and labored there.

History of Gunston Hall

In 1754, expecting their second child, the Masons decided to replace the old house George had inherited with a spacious, modern home. Designed with the latest English fashions in mind, construction began in 1754 and lasted four years. George Mason oversaw the basic shape and structure, while enslaved laborers made bricks and helped construct the exterior—though their names remain unknown.

Meanwhile, George’s younger brother Thomson—who was studying law in London—found a skilled craftsman to design and create the interior. This young man, named William Buckland, agreed to an indenture contract of four years. He arrived in Virginia with plan books showing the newest styles in interiors. Buckland’s vision was realized with the help of another indentured servant: William Bernard Sears. Sears was a master carver whose finely detailed work helped make Gunston Hall a showplace.

From its symmetrical design, Flemish bond arrangement of bricks, luxurious carvings, rich paint colors, and graciously proportioned rooms, Gunston Hall was intended to demonstrate the Masons’ refinement and good taste. Visitors in the 18th century must have been dazzled by the magnificence of the home, as they compared it to the much more modest dwellings of most other Virginians. Today, Gunston Hall continues to impress us. Its design, both inside and out, reminds us of the Masons’ prominence and wealth. We see that just as George Mason was a leader of political thought, the family was a leader in architectural style.

Interior Design

While George supervised construction in Virginia, his brother Thomson secured an interior designer in London—William Buckland. Buckland brought the latest interior styles with him and collaborated with another indentured servant, master carver William Bernard Sears, to bring those designs to life. The result was a home full of rich carvings, elegant colors, and refined spaces that reflected the Masons’ high social status.

Objects Inside Gunston Hall

Gunston Hall has carefully collected objects that represent the daily life of well-to-do Virginians in the second half of the 18th century. From candlesticks to tea tables to bedsteads, these items help us better imagine the world of the Masons and the enslaved and indentured people who lived on the Gunston Hall plantation. Several dozen objects in the collection belonged to the Mason family. Other items, such as salt-glazed stoneware and cream ware dishes, are similar to fragments we have uncovered through archaeology. Much of the collection is based on our knowledge of the furnishings of the homes of the Masons’ peers. We continue to add to the collection as we make new discoveries.

Rare books and manuscripts give us insight into the intellectual world of the Masons. Books owned by George Mason allow us to know some of the ideas he encountered. Treatises on subjects such as gardening, architecture, remedies for sickness, etc. help us learn more about the time in general. And letters and other archival material from Mason, his peers, and his family provide some specifics about Mason’s thinking and about his everyday life.

Architect and Master Carver

William Buckland, an English-trained joiner and architect, was indentured by George Mason to design the elaborate interiors of Gunston Hall, showcasing a range of 18th-century English styles including Rococo, Gothic, and Palladian. His work on Gunston Hall marked the beginning of a distinguished career, which included projects like Mount Airy and the Chase-Lloyd House, before his early death in 1774. Master carver William Bernard Sears, also indentured by Mason, brought Buckland’s designs to life in wood, continuing to collaborate with him on major Virginia projects. Sears later worked at sites like Mount Vernon and Pohick Church before entering public service, ultimately passing away in 1818 in Alexandria.

Restoration & Preservation

Remarkably, much of the original flooring, plaster, and woodwork remains intact. The Hertles’ decision to preserve the house saved it from destruction and ensured its legacy.

Key preservation efforts include:

Take A Look For Yourself

Thanks to the Encyclopedia of Virginia, you can use this Google Map to explore the interior of Gunston Hall.