Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 04/19/1977
NRHP Listing Date 11/14/1978
NRHP Reference Number 78003184
The Fredericksburg Gun Manufactory was established by the Virginia Convention in 1777 for the purpose of repairing and manufacturing small arms for the American Revolution. The gun manufactory functioned in this strategic role until 1783, supplying arms to the regiments of numerous Virginia counties. The enterprise was run by Fielding Lewis and Charles Dick. Its stone magazine was ordered built with the same plan and dimensions as Williamsburg’s powder magazine. Other structures here included a coal house, storage house, and mill house. In 1783 the property became the site of the Fredericksburg Academy, which remained here until 1801. Located at the southern edge of the city of Fredericksburg’s historic district, only fragments of foundations remain above ground today. The city-owner Fredericksburg Gun Manufactory Site should hold significant archaeological information on 18th-century American arms technology.
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Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: April 20, 2023
