Williams Ordinary

Built in the form of an eighteenth century mansion, neither a construction date nor a builder for the Ordinary is known. It has been suggested that it was built around 1765 by James Wren because of the many stylistic parallels between it and the Christ Church in Alexandria, one of Wren’s best-known works. During colonial times, the Ordinary was known as Williams Ordinary. Over the years it was also known as Love’s Tavern and the Stage Coach Inn. During the Civil War, the building was used as a Confederate Headquarters during the blockade of Washington, D.C. along the Potomac River. Today it is a private residence.