This story appears in our spring supplement “Windows on the Bay 2025”, included FREE with the March 27th edition of the Rappahannock Record and online at: https://rrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Windows-on-the-Bay-2025.pdf.
On the way to Windmill Point stands the historic Post Master House. Nestled between the Rappahannock River in its backyard and views of the Chesapeake Bay from the front, the home was built and occupied by William G. Foxwell.
A postmaster and figure in much of the Windmill Point community’s development, Foxwell crafted a gorgeous federal style home that today serves as an important Windmill Point icon.
Much of the original property has remained intact since its initial construction roughly 150 years ago despite numerous storms, floods and renovations. From Foxwell’s initial construction, to serving as the home for several prominent area figures over the span of more than a century, the Post Master House has now taken on a new life as a time capsule of the community spirit and natural beauty.
In 2018, Daniel Lang purchased the home and has been honoring its history ever since.
Before Lang acquired the two-story house, his friend Chris Stamm had lived there for a number of years. The late attorney had told him prior to Lang’s acquisition that the bones of the place were good, but would need some renovations and ultimately a complete tear-down of the rear-addition that had been falling apart for years.
Willing to take on the project, Lang purchased the property and got to work.
In addition to removing the addition and razing a dilapidated accessory structure, one of Lang’s first major changes to the three-acre property was relocating the home about 300 feet back from its original setting closer to Windmill Point Road so it would instead sit closer to the river.
While Lang made several notable initial changes to the property, more work has been made in an effort to preserve as much of its original features and charm as possible while extending the structure’s life.
When approaching the front patio, a beautiful brick trim lines the front perimeter of the house. When Lang moved the house back from the road and removed part of the structure, he reclaimed the bricks from inside chimneys that were previously on either side of the house for the exterior detailing.
“I thought it was a great way to recycle the material,” he said.
Upon entering the home, the immediate staircase is a prominent historic feature of the house. The original mahogany staircase has been well loved and appreciated and has stood the test of time.
“The stairs have never been touched or re-stained,” Lang said.
The stairs lead up to charming bedrooms and a bathroom with a stunning claw-foot tub. Despite the elegance and southern charm the furnishings exude, the real worthwhile detail to note is the upstairs flooring and molding.
The floors upstairs are original and are maintained hard southern pine and replicated mortise and tenon.
To keep with the home’s authentic character and design, when Lang was preparing to add an accessory structure, he made sure to use cypress wood that was configured to be consistent with the original house.
Additionally, when preparing for alterations it was determined that just one window in the house was original, so that’s what was used as a configuration model.
“I wouldn’t really call it a restoration, but rather a historic renovation,” Lang said.
From the moment the front door opens to the Post Master House, views of the Rappahannock River from the picturesque floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead to the back patio are abundant.
The open-space kitchen with an adjacent dining room and entertaining living area, adorned with a gorgeous brick fireplace and chimney, offers an ideal space to enjoy the river views with company.
When Lang acquired the home, he wanted to ensure he was honoring its history. Prior to 2018, the property hadn’t been known as the “Post Master House,” rather, that was a name Lang assigned as a way to pay homage to its beginnings.
Since Foxwell’s residency, the house became home to a couple of others of local notoriety. William Fitchett, a life-long waterman, who still goes out crabbing in his 90s, was born in the house and lived there with his family. Later, Stamm, who made lasting impressions throughout the Lancaster County legal community, made the spot his home.
Lang’s work to preserve the home goes beyond recognition for Foxwell and focuses on his appreciation for Foxwells, the greater Windmill Point area, the Northern Neck and related heritage.
“There’s a lot of talent, history and perspective right here that my neighbors share,” he said.
Lang, who moved to the area from Pennsylvania, said he had long admired the Chesapeake Bay and nearby waterways. When choosing a place to retire, he and his wife considered a number of different spots. Because of the area’s heritage and beauty, Lang landed at Foxwells.
Lang was fascinated with how much of an autonomous community Foxwells is despite being an unincorporated hamlet.
“The fact alone that there’s two churches right here makes you wonder why it couldn’t keep its incorporated status,” he said.
The families that have dug their roots in the community and have raised generation after generation on the same land has allowed for the traditions of the working waterfront to remain prevalent along the stretch of land.
“I love the area for what it represents historically…it brings an honest perspective for why it should never change,” Lang said.
Lang said there are truly very few places left like Foxwells and Windmill Point. Areas that are so deeply connected to their heritage are hard to come by.
He has enjoyed getting to know his neighbors and listening to their family stories and their history. In addition to immersing himself into the culture of his community, Lang honors the local heritage in the decor and details of his home.
He proudly displays a Ralph Higgins original painting over his fireplace, depicting the spirit and lifestyle of working watermen.
He also has a set of the original bar chairs from the Tides Inn’s first season in operation back in 1947. The chairs have been refurbished and preserved. He added plaques to the back to acknowledge the history of the leather seats.
While the world and Lancaster County are constantly changing, a seven-mile drive along Windmill Point Road will surely evoke feelings of both admiration and nostalgia. For now, driving through the various hamlets, particularly Foxwells, can feel like a small slice of the working waterfront’s heritage is preserved and cherished.
Lang and many others who call Palmer, Foxwells, Fleets Island, Westland and Windmill Point home hope this stretch of paradise stays just how it is.
This story appears in our spring supplement “Windows on the Bay 2025”, included FREE with the March 27th edition of the Rappahannock Record and online at: https://rrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Windows-on-the-Bay-2025.pdf.
