The Log Outbuilding at Solitude: an Architectural and Archaeological Investigation of Virginia Tech’S Second Oldest Building
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The Log Outbuilding at Solitude: An Architectural and Archaeological Investigation of Virginia Tech’s Second Oldest Building by Michael J. Pulice Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Architecture Humberto Rodriguez-Camilloni Chair Joseph R. Loferski Charles Clifford Boyd May 1, 2000 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: Solitude, architecture, archaeology Copyright 2000, by Michael J. Pulice The Log Outbuilding at Solitude: An Architectural and Archaeological Investigation of Virginia Tech’s Second Oldest Building Michael J. Pulice Abstract Solitude is a National Register historic property that is today a central part of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus. The property was purchased in 1872 to create the site of the land-grant college that later became VPI. The focus of this study is a log dependency associated with the extant nineteenth century mansion on the property. Both buildings have suffered extensively from deterioration in recent years, but are now receiving some attention. By substantially augmenting a historic structure report on the outbuilding filed in 1989, this thesis contributes to the building’s documentation and accurate interpretation. As one of two early structures on the site that still retains a large percentage of its original fabric, it is an important artifact that should be preserved for posterity. Documentation through meticulous research is an important part of preservation. When the building is physically gone, knowledge of it will survive. Little was known about the dependency prior to the completion of this research. The best guess on its age appears to have erred by thirty years. The building’s original function has long been the subject of debate. If it was a dwelling, there are no historic documents by which to identify the occupants. This study examines various aspects of the building, including its present condition, construction practices and materials, dimensions, form and function, location, age, historical context, and buried cultural deposits around the building. The biological agents that have attacked and caused severe deterioration of the building are identified, as well as the conditions that precipitated the attacks. The methods employed or explored in this research include archaeological excavations, artifact analysis, relative dating methods, wood identification and pathology, dendrochronology, basic chemistry, database generated spatial imaging, library searches, measured drawing, and photography. Use of these methods has provided insightful information regarding construction materials and their properties, construction practices, date of construction, and the history of the building’s use and maintenance. Information about the building’s occupants has also come to light, such as their socio-economic status, their standard of living, i.e. the goods they consumed and the comfort of their quarters, and their refuse disposal practices. Considering all the information revealed, a strong case is made that the building was originally a domestic slave’s dwelling, constructed in the early 1840s. Table of Contents Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... iii List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................................ v Acknowledgements..................................................................................................... vii INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................1 PART I History and Analysis of the Standing Structure.........7 CHAPTER ONE Historical Summary of the Solitude Property............................7 CHAPTER TWO Antecedents: A Historical Perspective on Log Structures......11 2.1 Early European Log Construction in North America .......................................11 2.2 Log Dwellings in Virginia ................................................................................12 2.3 The Decline of the Log House Construction in Southwestern Virginia ...........14 CHAPTER THREE Physical Description of the Outbuilding at Solitude ............18 3.1 General Information........................................................................................18 3.2 Log Walls........................................................................................................19 3.3 Chinking .........................................................................................................21 3.4 Flooring and Roofing ......................................................................................21 3.5 Interior Treatment...........................................................................................22 3.6 Synopsis of Modifications to the Outbuilding Over Time ................................23 CHAPTER FOUR Analysis of Wood Found in the Original Log Structure .........25 CHAPTER FIVE Dendrochronology.......................................................................30 CHAPTER SIX Plaster and Chinking Analysis......................................................32 6.1 Methodology used in Plaster Analysis............................................................32 6.2 Results ...........................................................................................................32 6.3 Chinking Analysis ...........................................................................................33 PART II Archaeological Investigations at Solitude............... 37 CHAPTER SEVEN Field Methodology...................................................................38 7.1 Excavation Units.............................................................................................38 7.2 Excavation Levels Within Units ......................................................................38 7.3 Equipment Used.............................................................................................39 7.4 Notes on Site Integrity ....................................................................................39 iii Table of Contents continued CHAPTER EIGHT Artifact Assemblage...............................................................41 8.1 Temporal Analyses.........................................................................................41 8.1.1 Nail Analysis..............................................................................................43 8.1.2 Flat Glass Analysis....................................................................................46 8.2 Artifact Distribution .........................................................................................48 8.3 Functional Analysis.........................................................................................49 8.4 Prehistoric Artifacts ........................................................................................50 PART III Interpretation...............................................................................55 CHAPTER NINE The Outbuilding’s Original Function .........................................55 9.1 Why the Outbuilding was not a Summer Kitchen ...........................................55 9.2 Why the Outbuilding was not a Doctor’s Office ..............................................57 9.3 Evidence for a Slave Dwelling ........................................................................57 9.3.1 Location.....................................................................................................58 9.3.2 Dimensions, Form and Construction .........................................................59 9.4 Archaeological Evidence ................................................................................62 9.4.1 Ceramics...................................................................................................62 9.4.2 Additional Support.....................................................................................63 CHAPTER TEN Conclusions..................................................................................64 10.1 Summary of Findings....................................................................................64 10.2 Recommendations for Future Research.......................................................65 BIBLIOGRAPHY...........................................................................................................67 Appendix A Functional Groups of Artifacts by Level .................................................73 Appendix B Window Glass Dates and Corresponding Thicknesses (from Selected Units)........................................................79 Appendix C Summary of Ceramic Sherd Attributes and Ware Types .......................87 Appendix D Ceramic Sherds by Level.......................................................................88 VITA ..............................................................................................................................92 iv List of Figures and Tables Figure 1 View of the outbuilding from the south .........................................................................................1 Figure 2 1989 photograph of loft in the original log section of Solitude outbuilding....................................2 Figure 3 1990 photograph of outbuilding prior to its dismantling.................................................................3 Figure