History of The Richard Johnston Inn
Our inn at 711 Caroline Street was built in 1770 by architect John Taylow, an original signer of The Declaration of Independence. The House survived both The Revolutionary War and Civil War. It was originally two row houses that have been combined into one larger dwelling. Room #9, which is off our courtyard, was the original kitchen house that the slaves cooked in. It was not attached to the house. Room #10 and #11 were slave quarters.
In the early 1800’s it was the home of Richard Johnston and his family. He served as mayor of Fredericksburg from 1809-1810. The fireplaces and the floors are original, with some minor repairs throughout the over 200 years of wear and tear. In Room #2 at the top of the inn there is a burned beam caused by a fire during the Civil War.
By the 1930’s the house continued to exist as a “cold water flat” which meant no central heat and no running water. In 1970 the house was sold for $27,000 to be used as a warehouse. The historic downtown area was deteriorating with each building needing to be renovated or demolished. Mr. Hunter Greenlaw bought the property sometime after 1970 and restored and modernized it into offices on one side and a restaurant on the other. He also converted the rooms facing the back courtyard into individual shops.
In 1986 Mr. Greenlaw sold the property to Ms. Libby Gowin, who turned the home into The Richard Johnston Inn with four accommodations and a tea room. Up until the late 1980’s the fireplaces still burned wood and had to be cleaned daily. However for safety and heat efficiency it was later decided to seal them up.
In 1993, Ms. Susan Thrush bought the property and continued to operate the inn. She decided to sell the inn in May of 2001 to L&L Hospitality. When the new owners acquired the inn, every room was redecorated with new beds, mattresses, towels, and linens. For the additional comfort and convenience of our guests, they also added modern amenities such as cable TV and wireless high-speed internet access.
Our historic property is over 245 years old and has survived historic battles, fire, many storms and countless visitors. We hope you’ll explore the many riches of Old Town Fredericksburg and partake in our relaxing atmosphere, gorgeous rooms, and delicious breakfast here at The Richard Johnston Inn.
