Stratford Hall Microbox

Stratford Hall

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 07/14/04
Nearest Town: Springfield, VA
County: Fairfax
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (slight hills, 300 yards RT)
Status: alive (02/18/08)

Thomas Lee (1690-1750) was a founder of the Ohio Company, a member of the governing Council of the colony, and acting Governor of Virginia. In 1717, he purchased the land for Stratford Hall Plantation and, during the period of 1730-1738, built the brick Georgian Great House. His eldest son, Philip Ludwell Lee (1727-1775), inherited Stratford and soon after his death, Stratford Hall Plantation became the home of his eldest daughter, the "divine Matilda" who married her cousin, Revolutionary War hero, "Light Horse Harry" Lee. She died in 1790, leaving her husband a life interest in the Plantation, and in 1793, he married Ann Hill Carter of Shirley Plantation. Their son Robert E. Lee, the future General of the Confederate Army, was born at Stratford in 1807. Today you can visit his home near Montross, but to find this microbox you must go to Lake Accotink State Park since I ran out of time on my trip and had to hide it close to D.C. Lake Accotink Park's 493 acres includes a 55-acre lake, wetlands and streams offering unique views of waterfowl and marsh life. So come enjoy nature while finding this microbox, then visit the real Stratford Hall. You can also look for Narnian's Lion, Witch & Wardrobe letterboxes also in the park.

Directions:

From I95, exit Old Keene Mill Road west, turn right on Hanover Ave, turn left on Highland Ave, turn right on Accotink Road, then left into park entrance. Park at the marina.

Clues:

Walk past the carousel and across the bridge to the trail. Follow it past a garbage can to a T jct. with an Event sign to the right. Turn right (east) and walk past the sign for 50 steps to a small dirt path on the right (south). Walk on this path for 40 steps to a large dead tree laying across the path. Turn right (west) and walk 17 steps to its end next to a large, live tree. The microbox is buried between the end of the dead tree and the trunk of the live tree under a rock and dead bark. Please re-cover well.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 04/25/09

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