Barbour House was the residence of John Strode Barbour,[2] a prominent American newspaper editor, lawyer, mayor, and statesman.[2] Barbour was a scion of the Barbour political family.[2] During the Barbours' ownership, the Barbour House was the center of Fairfax social life.[1]
When the estate of Barbour's widow, Mary B. Grimsley Barbour, was in administration, the Barbour House was being scheduled for demolition so that the property could be developed.[1] McCandlish and Lillard law firm bought the house and moved it to a parcel of the estate fronting on Payne Street (which was renamed Chain Bridge Road).[1] William Patram, a well-known building mover, transported Barbour House 100 yards to its new site.[1]