Abram's Delight

Visit the site of the oldest home in Winchester, Virginia, built in 1774.

Abraham Hollingsworth was born in 1686 and is the grandson of Valentine Hollingsworth, who was a Quaker immigrant from Ireland. The founder of Winchester was Abraham Hollingsworth. Historians believe that he had to pay the local Shawnee a cow, a calf, and a piece of red cloth to obtain the land (over 500 acres). Abraham built a log cabin by a natural spring. The original log cabin is long gone, but you can still see the well that he dug by hand while touring the property. Construction on the present home began before Hollingsworth died in 1748.

Isaac Hollingsworth (1722 - 1759) was their second son and a Quaker minister who lived there and used the building as a Quaker meetinghouse. Isaac's son was Jonah Hollingsworth (1755 - 1801), and he and his wife Hannah (1755 - 1836) had 13 children and added a wing to the home because they needed more space. The family and their descendants lived in the home for almost 200 years, through the American Civil War and beyond. The last family member to live in the home was Annie (1844 - 1930). Annie made a deal with two of her cousins that they would inherit the home if they would take care of her in her old age.

Afterward, the home was empty for 30 years, and in 1943, the city of Winchester bought it plus 35 acres of its surrounding land. The city wanted to save the oldest house, but they also wanted to have the water supply that was on the property. The Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society worked to restore the home for 9 years, and the museum was opened in 1961. Tours are available from 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to  4 pm.