Aquia Creek Sandstone, Gunston Hall

This photograph was taken at Gunston Hall in Fairfax County, Virginia. The home was built by George Mason, a Virginia politician and delegate to the Constitutional Convention, in the 1750s and features Aquia Creek sandstone quoins framing the sturdy brick walls. In 1791, the federal government purchased Government Island in Stafford, Virginia. The island, previously called Wiggington's Island, and its quarry supplied sandstone for the construction of the President's House and United States Capitol Building. Aquia Creek runs on the banks of Government Island. The Potomac River tributary is credited with supplying sandstone for all three historic places.