Federal Hill is an architecturally formal late-18th century dwelling which illustrates the sophistication that could be achieved with wood-frame construction. It was built in the city of Fredericksburg ca. 1795 for Robert Brooke, governor of Virginia (1794-1796). Brooke called the property Federal Hill because of his strong support of the Federalist party. Consistent with the exterior is a spacious and elegant interior. The drawing room, occupying the entire north end of the first floor, features Doric pilasters, arched window alcoves, and a paneled chimneypiece with a scrolled pediment. The chimneypiece in the dining room opposite is ornamented with foliated consoles and unusual intertwining rope carving. The windows have friezes decorated with lattice carving. A rare early summerhouse with louvered sides and ogee-domed roof stands in the garden at Federal Hill.