Gunston Hall is an 18th century Georgian mansion and was the home of George Mason, a Virginia politician and participant in the Constitutional Convention. The house, once the center of a 5,500 acre plantation, sits near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia. Mason began construction in of Gunston in 1755 and finished in 1759. Gunston's interior decoration combines elements of both rococo, chinoiserie, and Gothic styles, an unusual contrast the the tendency for simple decoration in Virginia at this time.[1] In fact, although chinoiserie was popular in Britain, Gunston is thought to be the only house with decoration at this time in America.[2] George Mason (December 11, 1725 – October 7, 1792) was a United States patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Official languages English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Tim Kaine (D-Governor Elect) Senators John Warner (R) George Allen (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 35th 110,862 km² 7. ... Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, by Howard Chandler Christy. ... The Potomac River at Great Falls, MD from Olmstead Island, water relatively low The Potomac River flows into Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States (USA). ... 1755 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1759 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Rococo Basilica at Ottobeuren (Bavaria): architectural spaces flow together and swarm with life The Rococo style of art emerged in France in the early 18th century. ... Chinoiserie refers to an artistic style which reflects Chinese influence and is characterized through the use of elaborate decoration and intricate patterns. ... Besides its original meaning, of or relating to the Goths (Gothos, Getas), a Germanic tribe and thus the Gothic language and the Gothic alphabet, the word Gothic has been used to refer to distinctly different things: From a Renaissance perspective (originally Italian, gotico, with connotations of rough, barbarous), it conveyed...

In 1792, Mason entertained Thomas Jefferson at Gunston Hall and died there shotrly thereafter. 1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Thomas Jefferson (April 13 (April 2 Old Style), 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809), author of the United States Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founders of the United States. ...

After Mason's death, the house continued to be used as a residence for many years. It is now a musuem and is open to the public.

View from Gunston Hall southwards, Potomac in the distance

The USS Gunston Hall was named for Mason's plantation. USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. ...

External links

• Gunston Hall Official Site