HISTORIC SITE Meat House Historic Structure Assessment 2014

1959, Russell Jones, HABS 2013, Elizabeth Peebles, FCPA

Prepared by: Elizabeth Peebles Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch Resource Management Division Fairfax County Park Authority

Acknowledgements

Park Authority Board William G. Bouie, Chairman, Hunter Mill District Ken Quincy, Vice Chairman, Providence District Frank S. Vajda, Treasurer, Mason District Kala Leggett Quintana, Secretary, At-Large Edward R. Batten, Sr., Lee District Mary D. Cortina, At-Large Linwood Gorham, District Faisal Kahn, At-Large Harold L. Strickland, Sully District Richard C. Sullivan, Jr., Dranesville District Michael W. Thompson, Jr., Springfield District Anthony Vellucci, Braddock District

Senior Staff Kirk W. Kincannon, Director Cindy Messinger, Acting Chief Financial Officer Sara Baldwin, Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer David Bowden, Director, Planning and Development Division Todd Johnson, Director, Park Operations Division Barbara Nugent, Director, Park Services Division Cindy Walsh, Director, Resource Management Division Roberta Longworth, Executive Director, Park Foundation Judith Pedersen, Public Information Officer

Project Team Dr. Elizabeth Crowell, Manager, Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch, Resource Management Division Elizabeth Peebles, Architectural Historian and Principal Investigator, Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch, Resource Management Division Karen Lindquist, Historic Preservation Program Coordinator, Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch, Resource Management Division Barbara Leven, Volunteer Field Assistant, Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch, Resource Management Division

Table of Contents List of Figures ...... 1 Introduction ...... 1 Building Chronology ...... 1 Architectural Description ...... 10 Site ...... 10 Exterior ...... 13 Foundation ...... 13 Siding ...... 13 Cornice ...... 14 Roof ...... 14 South Elevation ...... 15 East Elevation ...... 17 North Elevation ...... 19 West Elevation ...... 20 Interior ...... 21 Floor ...... 22 Ceiling and Roof Framing ...... 22 South Wall ...... 24 East Wall...... 26 North Wall ...... 27 West Wall ...... 28 Recommendations ...... 29 Bibliography ...... 32 Appendix A Measured Drawings ...... 33 Appendix B Historic American Building Survey ...... 39

List of Figures Figure 1. Approximate locations of Franklin Sherman insured structures 1869-1887 over 1937 aerial...... 3 Figure 2. Ash Grove Kitchen circa 1918, Museum Collections, FCPA...... 4

i Figure 3. Detail of Ash Grove Kitchen circa 1918, Museum Collections, FCPA...... 4 Figure 4. Ash Grove Site Plan, Historic American Building Survey, 1960, Library of Congress...... 5 Figure 5. 1959 Perspective of south and east elevations, Russell Jones, Historic American Building Survey, Library of Congress...... 6 Figure 6. South elevation, 1992, unknown photographer (CRMPB files)...... 7 Figure 7. South elevation, 1997, unknown photographer (CRMPB files)...... 8 Figure 8. South elevation, 1998, unknown photographer (CRMPB files)...... 8 Figure 9. South elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 9 Figure 10. South elevation (FCPA 2014)...... 9 Figure 11. Ash Grove Historic Site (FCPA 2013)...... 10 Figure 12. Ash Grove Historic Site, 2011 aerial (FCPA 2014)...... 11 Figure 13. Perspective of west and south elevations (FCPA 2013)...... 12 Figure 14. Perspective of east and north elevations (FCPA 2013)...... 12 Figure 15. East elevation foundation (FCPA 2013)...... 13 Figure 16. North elevation siding (FCPA 2013)...... 13 Figure 17. Cornice detail, northeast corner (FCPA 2013)...... 14 Figure 18. Perspective of west and south roof (FCPA 2013)...... 15 Figure 19. South elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 15 Figure 20. Period annotated south elevation (FCPA 2014)...... 16 Figure 21. Door detail, south elevation (FCPA 2014)...... 17 Figure 22. East elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 17 Figure 23. Period annotated east elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 18 Figure 24. North elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 19 Figure 25. Period annotated north elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 19 Figure 26. West elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 20 Figure 27. Period annotated west elevation (FCPA 2013)...... 20 Figure 28. Perspective of east and south walls (FCPA 2013)...... 21 Figure 29. Perspective of west and north walls (FCPA 2013)...... 21 Figure 30. Floor, looking east (FCPA 2013)...... 22 Figure 31. Ceiling joist and soffit beam (FCPA 2013)...... 22 Figure 32. Detail of final split at end of pit sawn scantling rafter (FCPA 2013)...... 23 Figure 33. Peak of roof framing and sheathing (FCPA 2013)...... 23 Figure 34. Detail of southeast corner rafter and false plates (FCPA 2013)...... 23 Figure 35. Center beam, king post, and east roof (FCPA 2013)...... 24 Figure 36. South wall (FCPA 2013)...... 25 Figure 37. Detail of top plate dutchman repair (FCPA 2013)...... 25 Figure 38. Detail of iron strap hinge (FCPA 2013)...... 26 Figure 39. Detail of stock lock (FCPA 2014)...... 26 Figure 40. East wall (FCPA 2013)...... 27 Figure 41. North wall (FCPA 2013)...... 28 Figure 42. West wall (FCPA 2013)...... 29

ii Introduction Ash Grove Historic Site is a Fairfax County Park Authority park containing approximately 14.3 acres located northwest of Tysons Corner, . The core of the historic building complex in the park is on approximately 2 acres located at 8881 Ashgrove House Lane, Fairfax County Map #0282 13 B. The three standing structures date to the late eighteenth century during the ownership and occupation of Thomas, Ninth Lord Fairfax and his household.

The “Ash Grove Historic Site: General Management Plan and Conceptual Development Plan”, April 2000, provides an overview of the entire park. This report, the Meat House Historic Structure Assessment, is intended to document what is known about the meat house structure, document existing conditions, and assist in the development of a treatment plan for the ultimate goal of preserving the eighteenth century structure for future use and enjoyment. Despite decades of minimal maintenance and being exposed to the elements this diminutive building has stood for over 200 years. With proper treatment and care the FCPA can steward its survival for another 200 years.

The Fairfax family owned Ash Grove until it was sold in 1850 to the Sherman family. They remained as the only two families that occupied the house until the house and some of the land were proffered to the Fairfax County Park Authority to be preserved as park land in 1997. Ash Grove was one of the first architectural sites recorded in the county inventory of historic structures, VDHR #029-0002, FXCO #028- 02-A01. Multiple archaeological investigations have been conducted on the property and reports and notes for those investigations can be found in the Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch (CRMPB) files. The house archaeological site number is VDHR #44FX1597. The 1996 Phase I conducted by Thunderbird placed a shovel test adjacent to the southeast corner of the meat house and identified a construction layer and a possible builders trench.

The meat house was documented for this report using photographs and measured as-built drawings entered into AutoCAD 2013. The building chronology was developed using previous research found in the CRMPB library, examining historic photographs, and existing conditions of the physical building materials. Further research into the Fairfax and Sherman property tax records could be beneficial to the understanding of the early history and later use of the structure.

Building Chronology Meat and smoke houses were some of the most important structures on eighteenth and nineteenth century Virginia plantations.1 They housed some of the most valuable products on the plantation. If the meat, primarily hogs, was not properly treated or protected years of plantation resources devoted to caring for the animals could be lost to spoilage or theft. These modest sized vernacular structures needed to be well built and meet the needs of both smoking and storing meat. Some plantations had two separate structures to serve these purposes but most, like the structure at Ash Grove, were used for both.

1 For an understanding of the cultural context that shaped meat and smoke houses see Olmert and Vlach.

1 Ash Grove is located on the part of the Towlston tract that Bryan Fairfax deeded to his son in 1788.2 In 1757 Bryan Fairfax inherited from his father the 5,568 acre Towlston Tract (Kilmer and Sweig, 67). This was just a small portion of the Fairfax land holdings. Much of the land was leased to neighbors or occupied by various Fairfax family members (Kilmer and Sweig). The first known resident at the Ash Grove site is Thomas Fairfax but there is archaeological evidence and Sherman family oral traditions that suggest occupation prior to the construction of the Ash Grove mansion circa 1790. When the meat house was constructed is unclear but construction techniques and form suggest a late eighteenth century date.

During the 1780s Bryan Fairfax and his family lived at Towlston Grange, approximately 2 miles north of Ash Grove. The first census of the United States used data collected in Fairfax County in 1782 and 1785. In 1785 the census lists Thomas Fairfax nearby but distinct from his father’s household. (1790 U.S. Population Census, Fairfax County, List of James Wren) Although there is no way to know for sure, it is possible that Thomas Fairfax was living on the future Ash Grove land before it was legally deeded to him by his father in 1788 (FXCO DB R1:324-326). The 1785 census lists him owning a dwelling house and 5 other buildings. This might be the first record of the meat house and the adjacent brick kitchen. In Virginia during the late eighteenth century it was not unusual to construct the plantation support structures before the elegant plantation mansion house.

Nineteenth and early twentieth century Sherman family reminiscences describe a log house known as the “White House” on the land that predated the circa 1790 Ash Grove mansion and was moved to make room for the new house.3 (Sherman) Sherman family oral tradition suggests that it was possibly a hunting lodge for Bryan Fairfax. It is also equally possibly that it was Thomas Fairfax’s house before the mansion or a house for an earlier tenant farmer - both of these purposes would have required support structures such as a meat house. In his transcript about Thomas Fairfax, Franklin Sherman wrote that he was told the carpenter for the main house was a Mr. Sharper (Sherman). It is possible that he might have also been the carpenter for the meat house.

In 1850 Ash Grove was auctioned to settle the estate of (son of Thomas Fairfax). James Sherman purchased Ash Grove at the auction and settled the sale in 1851 (FXCO DB Q3:191). The 1860, 1870, and 1880 agricultural schedules show the Shermans raising a variety of livestock including swine, the predominant source for meat in smoke and meat houses (U.S. Census 1860 Agricultural Schedule Fairfax County: Sherman, James; 1870 + 1880: Sherman, Franklin).

In 1869 Franklin Sherman applied for an insurance policy for some of the buildings at Ash Grove.4 The initial policy and then subsequent additions to the policy detail a variety of outbuildings beyond the main house. The 1869 policy listed the main dwelling, former servant houses used as a wash house and lumber room, and the barn and attached shed. In 1886 another policy was added for the kitchen and in

2 FXCO DB R1:324-326. For more information about the early history of the Towlston Tract see Kilmer and Sweig, The Fairfax Family in Fairfax County, 1975. 3 The “White House” log cabin was demolished by the Sherman family in 1864. 4 The Mutual Fire Assurance Company of Loudoun County, Ash Grove Insurance Policy #972, August 20, 1869, transcription located in CRMPB files.

2 this policy is the first known written mention of the wooden meat house.5 The policy describes it as “Wooden Meat House, 12 ft. W[est].” of the brick kitchen (Ibid). This policy also described a brick ash house 30 feet southeast of the main dwelling and a hen house 20 yards east of the kitchen. (Figure 1)

The first known photograph of the meat house was taken circa 1918. It appears on the edge of the photograph which focuses on the brick kitchen. Both structures are partially covered in thick vegetation suggesting that they were not used frequently. (Figures 2 and 3) The pyramidal roof is shown as being clad with a standing seam metal roof with a horizontal ridge that likely served as a snow guard. The cornice is in shadow so it is unclear when the molding was added. The plain cornerboard is present on the south elevation. There are two widths of siding cladding the east elevation suggesting at least one round of major repairs well before 1918. The partial painting of the lower narrow boards suggest that they might be reused from another structure.

Lumber/Wash houses Wood shed

Hen house

Kitchen

Meat house Dwelling Brick ash house e

Barn with shed additions

Figure 1. Approximate locations of Franklin Sherman insured structures 1869-1887 over 1937 Aerial.

5 The Mutual Fire Assurance Company of Loudoun County, Ash Grove Insurance Policy #11165, May 19, 1886, transcription located in CRMPB files.

3

Figure 2. Ash Grove Kitchen circa 1918, Museum Collections, FCPA.

Figure 3. Detail of Ash Grove Kitchen circa 1918, Museum Collections, FCPA.

4 The Historic American Building Survey documented Ash Grove in 1959/1960 during the early stages of a major renovation of the main house by the Shermans. The documentation was completed just one month before the house was damaged by an extensive fire. The meat house (aka smoke house) was delineated on the site plan and photographed with large format black and white images. (Figures 4, 5, and Appendix B)The photographs show the south and east elevations and a few interior details of the joinery. The roof is covered with horizontal rolled asphalt roofing and capped with a square flat wood board. This wood base on the peak of the roof might suggest a possible missing finial or weather vane. There is a minimal drip edge above the boxed cornice. Below the cornice is the decorative crown molding that is still present on the structure. The exterior cladding is covered with weathered white paint that had been partially sanded off on the east elevation, possibly in preparation for restoration at the same time as the main house. The east and west elevations are missing multiple courses of the lower siding. The bottom three courses of siding on the south elevation are wider replacement boards. The south sill appears to be cut out in the doorway. (Figure 5) From 1959 to the mid-1990s the grade on the south elevation has lowered approximately six inches. The 1959 grade was well above the stone foundation and overlapped parts of the siding. Although the photographs are not clear there appears to be a brick floor but again it is at a higher elevation than the existing floor.

Figure 4. Ash Grove Site Plan, Historic American Building Survey, 1960, Library of Congress.

5

Figure 5. 1959 Perspective of south and east elevations, Russell Jones, Historic American Building Survey, Library of Congress.

6 In the CRMPB files is a 1992 color slide showing the south elevation of the meat house and kitchen. The meat house is shown with no holes in the painted white siding, a wood shingle roof with a metal cap, and a boxwood bush to the east of the door. (Figure 6) The roof and siding repairs likely occurred with the 1960s renovations of the property. Under the wood shingles is a diagonal wood fascia board that is mounted in front of the boxed cornice and extends the overhang of the roof.

The next slide in the CRMPB files dates to 1997 and shows the meat house in much the same condition. (Figure 7) The paint and shingles are more weathered but no modifications are evident. A 1998 slide shows the continued loss of paint, missing shingles, and loose siding. (Figure 8) After the Park Authority acquired the property in 1997 little known maintenance was performed on the meat house. A Park Authority staff email in 2001 noted that interior bracing would be installed and if funds permitted a new wood roof installed as well (Rierson email March 15 2001). The new roof was not installed on the meat house but the kitchen did get a new wood shingle roof. The interior bracing might refer to the cross braces on the west, north, and east walls.

By 2013 additional siding and roof shingles had fallen off the meat house. (Figure 9)The paint is almost entirely weathered off except for under the eaves and on the door. During the production of this report, portions of the south elevation siding were removed and placed inside the structure by an unknown person. (Figure 10)

Figure 6. South elevation, 1992, unknown photographer (CRMPB files).

7

Figure 7. South elevation, 1997, unknown photographer (CRMPB files).

Figure 8. South elevation, 1998, unknown photographer (CRMPB files).

8

Figure 9. South elevation (FCPA 2013).

Figure 10. South elevation (FCPA 2014).

9 Architectural Description

Site

Ash Grove Historic Site is a Fairfax County Park Authority park containing approximately 14.3 acres located northwest of Tysons Corner, Virginia. The core of the historic building complex in the park is on approximately 2 acres located at 8881 Ashgrove House Lane, Fairfax County Map #0282 13 B. The townhouse subdivision north and east of the park was constructed during the late 1990s. The meat house at Ash Grove is located between the mansion and kitchen structures. All three structures are oriented facing south and are located in a small grassy lawn surrounded by woods to the south and west. (Figures 11-14)

Figure 11. Ash Grove Historic Site (FCPA 2013).

10

Figure 12. Ash Grove Historic Site, 2011 aerial (FCPA 2014).

11

Figure 13. Perspective of west and south elevations (FCPA 2013).

Figure 14. Perspective of east and north elevations (FCPA 2013).

12 Exterior The meat house is an 11’2” square timber frame building with a pyramidal roof and a single leaf plank door on the south elevation. Figures 20, 23, 25, and 27 are annotated to classify exterior building components into three periods of construction and alteration. Period I, during the Fairfax or possibly very early Sherman ownership, includes components that are original to the circa 1790 construction or were added during the early to mid-nineteenth century. They are identified by the building technology, hewn, riven, or attached with wrought nails, or by a creosote build-up on the interior surface suggesting that it was present for multiple rounds of smoking meat. Period II identifies components that are visible in the circa 1918 photograph (Figures 2 and 3) and the 1959 HABS photographs (Appendix B) but do not exhibit characteristics identified in Period I. Period II includes alterations and repairs made by the Sherman’s prior to 1959. Period III includes components that have appeared since the 1959 HABS photographs up until the 1997 ownership by the Park Authority. Most of these alterations likely occurred during the Sherman restoration of the property shortly after the 1959/1960 HABS documentation and 1960 house fire. No know alterations to the exterior of the structure have been made since the 1997 acquisition of the property by the Park Authority.

Foundation The foundation is comprised of fieldstone and a single brick on the southwest corner. The fieldstones are primarily quartz and schist/gneiss rocks. The quartz is a variety of clear, yellow, and rose colors. The foundation is composed of un-coursed rubble stones that are roughly shaped and laid in mortar.

Figure 15. East elevation foundation (FCPA 2013).

Siding The exteriors of the walls are clad with clapboard pine siding of various reveals and condition. The description of each of the elevations discusses the variations in greater detail. The majority of the siding that exhibits a creosote build-up on the interior has an average reveal of 6 inches. A small group of siding on the south (front) elevation have a creosote build-up but only a reveal of 4 ½ to 5 inches. The Period II siding on the south elevation has an 8 inch reveal and on the east elevation a 4 ½ to 5 inch reveal. According to the 1918 photograph (Figures 2 and 3) the Period II east elevation siding pre-dates the Period II siding on the south elevation. The reveals for the Period III siding varies greatly and ranges from 4 ½ inches to 11 inches. The siding is completed by 3 ¼ inch corner boards from Period I and III.

Figure 16. North elevation siding (FCPA 2013).

13 Cornice The cornice is comprised of three primary elements, a boxed cornice, crown molding, and an angled fascia board. Due to a shadow the cornice is not visible in the 1918 photograph. In the 1959 photograph the circular sawn pine boxed cornice boards and crown molding are in place. Both are primarily attached with wire nails however the crown molding also has a few machine-cut nails with square heads suggesting a late nineteenth/early twentieth century date. The pine angled fascia was likely installed along with the wood shingle roof in the 1960s.

Figure 17. Cornice detail, northeast corner (FCPA 2013).

Roof The current pyramidal wood shingle roof is the third known roofing type on the meat house. The wood shingles are extremely deteriorated and likely date to the 1960s renovations of the property. The shingles are approximately 24 inches long with a 7 to 8 inch reveal. The rolled asphalt roofing visible under the shingles might be the same rolled asphalt in the 1959 photographs. The roof is laid on random width reclaimed circular sawn pine board sheathing. The roof is topped with a deteriorated sheet metal cap.

14

Figure 18. Perspective of west and south roof (FCPA 2013).

South Elevation The south, front, elevation is 11’2” wide with a central door, horizontal siding, and vertical 3 ¼ inch corner boards. The grade slopes downward from west to east exposing approximately 5 ½ inches of the east corner of the foundation. The only known brick in the foundation is in the southwest corner. The sill sits on the stone foundation and is uncovered below the door. It is circular sawn 5x5 ½ inch oak and was installed after the 1959 HABS photographs. Figure 20 identifies periods of construction for the individual elements on the south elevation. The top course of siding is the only continuous clapboard on the south elevation. It dates to Period III since there is no creosote build-up on the interior and has a different reveal than the Figure 19. South elevation (FCPA 2013). top board in the 1959 photograph. Multiple courses of siding have been removed west of the door. The Period I siding west of the door has an average reveal of 6 inches. A few courses of siding east of the door has a creosote build-up but only a reveal of 4 ½ to 5 inches. This is the only area of siding identified as Period I with the smaller reveal suggesting that it might be from an early repair. The corner boards are each composed of two pieces of wood. The upper portions are attached with wrought nails and the lower portions are Period III repairs.

15

Figure 20. Period annotated south elevation (FCPA 2014).

Door The central door is a four board vertical plank door. (Figure 21) The door has a plain board surround. The west and top surround trim appear in the 1918 photograph. The east trim is composed of two boards and dates to after the 1959 photograph. The west trim ends at the top of the sill and the east trim extends down in front of the sill to the stone foundation. The door swings inward and is hinged with interior iron strap hinges on the east. There has been material loss at the bottom but the remaining wood is sound. There is a deteriorated cross board at the bottom of the door. On the west side of the door is a keyhole with no escutcheon and an iron loop with a short chain. On the interior is an early stock lock. (Figure 39)

16

Figure 21. Door detail, south elevation (FCPA 2014).

East Elevation The east elevation is 11’2” wide with no fenestration, horizontal siding, and vertical ¾ inch corner boards. The grade is level exposing 5 to 6 ½ inches of the foundation. Figure 23 identifies periods of construction for the individual elements on the east elevation. The siding on this elevation is intact with the exception of a moderate hole (1’4 ½” by 3”) in the center of the sixth course of siding from the top. The top 6 courses of the siding dates to Period I. Below that is five courses of Period II siding that appear in the 1918 photograph. The remaining siding on the bottom of the elevation is identified as Period III. The bottom two courses might pre-date the 1959 photograph but they are obscured by vegetation in the photograph.

Figure 22. East elevation (FCPA 2013).

17

Figure 23. Period annotated east elevation (FCPA 2013).

18 North Elevation The north elevation is 11’2” wide with no fenestration, horizontal siding, and vertical 3 ¼ inch corner boards. The grade slopes downward from west to east exposing approximately 5 inches of the east corner of the foundation. Figure 25 identifies periods of construction for the individual elements on the north elevation. The siding on this elevation is intact with the exception of numerous small holes and general deterioration of the Period I siding. The top four courses of the siding date to Period I and are weathered very thin. The third course from the top is composed of two boards. The west board is short and is likely a Period I repair due to the combination of less Figure 24. North elevation (FCPA 2013). weathering than that of the adjacent board plus the heavy build-up of creosote. The middle three courses of siding are Period III since they are absent from the 1959 interior photographs. The bottom five courses of siding are typical of the Period III boards but are not visible in any of the historic photographs to confirm the date of installation. The period of installation of the corner boards is also unclear since they are not visible in the historic photographs. The east corner board is composed of three boards and the west corner board of two boards.

Figure 25. Period annotated north elevation (FCPA 2013).

19 West Elevation The west elevation is 11’2” wide with no fenestration, horizontal siding, and vertical ¾ inch corner boards. The grade is level exposing approximately three inches of the foundation. Figure 27 identifies periods of construction for the individual elements on the west elevation. The siding is largely intact with a few exceptions. The bottom board is deteriorated and the north half is missing, exposing the sill. The seventh course from the top, the lowest of the Period I siding, has a large hole that has been closed by another piece of siding wedged behind the board. The west elevation has the most Period I siding intact of all of the elevations. The remaining courses are from Period III. The only exception might be the bottom Figure 26. West elevation (FCPA 2013). course since it is not visible in any of the 1959 photographs. The sill sits on the stone foundation and is partially uncovered due to deteriorated siding. It is circular sawn 5x5 ½ inch oak with a half lap joint at the corner and matches the south sill which was installed after the 1959 HABS photographs.

Figure 27. Period annotated west elevation (FCPA 2013).

20

Interior The square plan interior of the meat house has exposed timber frame walls and a brick floor. With only a few exceptions noted in the following descriptions, most of the interior framing dates to Period I. The wood framing exhibits characteristics typical of late eighteenth and early nineteenth construction including mortise and tenon joinery and hewn and pit sawn surfaces. There is also substantial creosote build-up on the surfaces. A single door on the south elevation provides the only access to the interior of the structure. The ceiling is open, exposing the pyramidal roof rafters supported by a center beam and king post. The ceiling joists are cut and joined Figure 28. Perspective of east and south walls (FCPA 2013). with beams above the plates creating a soffit around the perimeter of the structure. Diagonal knee braces support each of the corners running from the sills to the corner posts. With the exception of later repairs the interior structure is joined by mortise and tenon and wood pegged mortise and tenon joints. This modest sized structure contains a large proportion of joinery that exhibits the craftsmanship, resources, and value devoted and attributed to late eighteenth century smoke and meat houses by plantation owners.

Figure 29. Perspective of west and north walls (FCPA 2013).

21 Floor The wood sills rest on the stone foundation. Between the sills the floor is covered with brick laid in an irregular stretcher bond pattern running east/west. On the east and west sides is a single line of sailor (broad face exposed) closers running north/south. The brick floor is likely a later modification to the structure. The bricks are deteriorating and the joints appear to be filled with dirt rather than mortar. The bricks appear to be a random mixture of hand made and machine made bricks, suggesting the floor was laid with extra bricks from other projects. The floor sinks in the center creating a bowl that has been filled with building debris. The bricks in the center do not show signs of localized burning indicating the bricks were laid after the building was used for smoking. The depression however may be caused by the settling of fill in the fire pit used for smoking the meat.

Figure 30. Floor, looking east (FCPA 2013).

Ceiling and Roof Framing The ceiling is open, exposing the pyramidal roof rafters supported by a center beam and king post. The ceiling joists are cut and joined with beams above the plates creating a soffit around the perimeter of the structure. This open ceiling and roof framing would have provided easy access to the upper space of the structure for hanging meat. The rafters are still dotted with wrought nails. The original framing is hewn and pit sawn oak beams and scantling with a creosote buildup on the surface. The king post is 4 ¾ inches square, soffit beams vary in dimension but average 3 by 5 ¼ inches, the center beam is 4 ¾ by 5 ¼ inch, the corner

Figure 31. Ceiling joist and soffit beam (FCPA 2013).

22 rafters are approximately 4 by 4 inches, and the secondary rafters are approximately 2 ¾ by 3 ¾ inches. The center of the south beam and the south end of the center beam have dutchman and sister repairs. The ceiling joist above the west door post is the only original framing from the roof that is missing.

The roof sheathing has been almost entirely replaced. The only exception is a narrow tie course near the peak of the roof that has the creosote surface. This early sheathing was likely retained as bracing Figure 32. Peak of roof framing and sheathing (FCPA 2013). during the replacement of the sheathing. The majority of the sheathing is random width circular sawn pine boards. It is possible it is reused wood since some of the boards have gauge and kerf marks along the length of the board edges.

Figure 33. Detail of split at end of pit sawn scantling rafter Figure 34. Detail of southeast corner rafter and false plates (FCPA 2013). (FCPA 2013).

The ceiling joists, five on each wall and one diagonal joist in each corner, average 1’5 ½” long and extend 8 inches inward from the wall top plate. They are notched over the top plate and mortise and tenon and pegged into beams that create a soffit around the interior perimeter of the structure. The center beam functions as the central ceiling joist on the north and south walls. The east and west soffit beams also extend out into the eaves. The south soffit beam is sistered on the top with a later circular sawn 3x2 inch board. The king post is joined to the center beam with a pegged mortise and tenon joint. It extends upwards providing support to the corner and central roof rafters at the peak. The top of the king post is shaped into a square at a 45 degree angle to the post to receive the corner rafters. The rafters are bird mouth notched over false plates that sit on top of the ceiling joists.

23

Figure 35. Center beam, king post, and east roof (FCPA 2013).

South Wall The south wall is an open framed wall with a central door. (Figure 34)The sill sits on the stone foundation, is circular sawn 5x5 ½ inch oak, and was installed after the 1959 HABS photographs. The southwest sill corner is joined with a half lap joint. The southeast sill corner does not appear to be joined and a 1 ¼ inch board fills the gap between the sills on the east wall. The oak posts had been mortise and tenoned into the original sill but now appear to be attached to the replacement sill only with nails. The corner posts are hewn and then pit sawn to the dimension of approximately 5 ½ by 3 ½ inches. The corner posts are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The door posts are 3 ¾ by 3 inches and are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenon joints with half inch pegs. The east door post is sistered with a circular sawn oak 1 ¾ by 3 inch board with no creosote suggesting it is a later modification. The intermediary posts between the door and the corners, approximately 2 ¾ by 3 1/8 inches, are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenons. There is an empty mortise pocket in the top plate centered above the door. The intermediary posts terminate at the diagonal knee brace, 3 by 6 inches, before reaching the sill. The braces are joined to the corner posts with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. There is a dutchman repair on the top plate the width of and centered above the door. (Figure 37)

Door and Hardware Centered on the south wall is the only door in the structure. Both the door and the hardware are typical of late eighteenth century construction. The door is a plank door with plain board surround trim. The surround trim is 1 by 3 inch pine boards. The surround trim does not exhibit the same creosote build-up as other early features of the structure and may be a later modification. The east trim has material loss at the bottom and where the pintles from the door hinges puncture the trim. The door is hinged on the east and swings inward. The plank door is composed of four vertical pine boards with three horizontal cross braces with chamfered edges. The door is hinged with hook and eye iron strap hinges with rounded bean shaped terminals. (Figure 38) The straps are attached to the upper and lower cross braces

24 with hand wrought nails. The door is secured on the west side with an oak stock lock. (Figure 39) The lock is no longer functional due to rust and has some material loss of the oak box and iron work. The stock lock was finished with iron C-shaped punches. An iron keeper is still mounted on the west door surround.

Figure 36. South wall (FCPA 2013).

Figure 37. Detail of top plate dutchman repair (FCPA 2013).

25

Figure 38. Detail of iron strap hinge (FCPA 2013).

Figure 39. Detail of stock lock (FCPA 2014).

East Wall The east wall is an open framed wall. (Figure 40)The sill sits on the stone foundation and is hewn oak approximately 5-6 ¼ by 7 ½ inches in size. The oak posts are mortise and tenoned into the sill. The northeast sill corner is joined with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The southeast sill corner does not appear to be joined and a 1 ¼ inch board fills the gap between the sills. The corner posts are hewn and then pit sawn to the dimension of approximately 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches. The corner posts are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The intermediary posts, approximately 2 ¾ by 3 1/8 inches, are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenons. The two posts just inside the corner posts terminate at the diagonal knee brace, 3 by 6 inches, before reaching the sill. The braces are joined to the sill and corner posts with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The only known alteration to the framing of this wall is the addition (likely by the Park Authority) of two pine boards attached in an X to serve as cross braces.

26

Figure 40. East wall (FCPA 2013).

North Wall The north wall is an open framed wall. (Figure 41)The sill sits on the stone foundation and is hewn oak approximately 5 by 7 ½ inches in size. The northwest sill corner is joined with a half lap joint. The northeast sill corner is joined with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The oak posts are mortise and tenoned into the sill. The corner posts are hewn and then pit sawn to the dimension of approximately 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches. The corner posts are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The intermediary posts, approximately 2 ¾ by 3 1/8 inches, are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenons. The two posts just inside the corner posts terminate at the diagonal knee brace, 3 by 6 inches, before reaching the sill. The braces are joined to the sill and corner posts with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The only known alteration to the framing of this wall is the addition (likely by the Park Authority) of two pine boards attached in an X to serve as cross braces.

27

Figure 41. North wall (FCPA 2013).

West Wall The west wall is an open framed wall. (Figure 41) The sill sits on the stone foundation and is circular sawn 5x5 ½ inch oak with half lap joints at the corners. The west sill matches the south sill which was installed after the 1959 HABS photographs. The oak posts had been mortise and tenoned into the original sill but now appear to be attached to the replacement sill only with nails. The corner posts are hewn and then pit sawn to the dimension of approximately 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches. The corner posts are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. The intermediary posts, approximately 2 ¾ by 3 1/8 inches, are joined to the top plate with mortise and tenons. The two posts just inside the corner posts terminate at the diagonal knee brace, 3 by 6 inches, before reaching the sill. The braces are joined to the corner posts with mortise and tenon joints with one inch pegs. In addition to the replacement sill the only known alteration to the framing of this wall is the addition (likely by the Park Authority) of two pine boards attached in an X to serve as cross braces.

28

Figure 42. West wall (FCPA 2013).

Recommendations

A separate Treatment Plan Report for the Meat House will be developed jointly with the Park Authority Facilities Maintenance Branch and the Cultural Resource Management and Protection Branch. Below are preliminary recommendations for the treatment of the structure. According to Fairfax County Park Authority Policy 205, Historic Preservation, the Park Authority “Shall perform treatment of historic properties following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.”

The Secretary of the Interior has defined four categories of treatment for historic structures: preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

Preservation: “the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property. Preservation focuses on the maintenance and repair of existing historic materials and retention of a property’s form as it has evolved over time.”

Restoration: “the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. Restoration is undertaken to depict a property at a particular period of time in its history.”

Rehabilitation: “the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its

29 historical, cultural or architectural values. Rehabilitation acknowledges the need to alter or add to a historic property to meet continuing or changing uses while retaining the property’s historic character.”

Reconstruction: “the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.”

The consideration of these treatment options needs to be informed by the significance of the resource, physical condition, and its intended use within the context of the Ash Grove Historic Site. Reconstruction will not be considered in the Treatment Plan as an alternative since the structure is still standing.

Overall the meat house is still structurally sound however the building envelope has been compromised due to weathering and deterioration. It is recommended that the Treatment Plan focus on the roof and siding. Since the roof shingles are not historic it is recommended that they be replaced with new wood shingles compatible with the historic character of the structure and the site. One of the existing roof shingles should be retained as a record of previous treatments on the structure. It is recommended that as much of the existing siding as possible be retained and new compatible wood siding installed to replace missing boards and severely deteriorated boards to be identified in the Treatment Plan.

It is recommended that paint and mortar samples be collected for future analysis. The Treatment Plan will also need to address how to close the opening formed by the deterioration at the bottom of the door. The door should be secured and the exterior trim and siding should be painted. The interior of the structure should be cleared of any vegetation growth and general debris to minimize attractants for pests. Any and all treatments to be performed on the structure should be sensitive to retaining the creosote build-up on the interior elements of the structure as that is a primary character defining feature.

It is recommended that all work identified and treatments prescribed in the Treatment Plan follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the recommendations contained within the U.S. Department of the Interior Preservation Briefs Series produced by the Heritage Preservation Services of the National Park Service. The following Preservation Briefs and Technical Notes are relevant for the potential work items to be identified in the Treatment Plan.

Preservation Briefs

1. Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments for Historic Masonry Buildings. Robert C. Mack, FAIA, and Anne E. Grimmer. 2000. 2. Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings. Robert C. Mack, FAIA, and John P. Speweik. 1998. 4. Roofing for Historic Buildings. Sara M. Sweetser. 1978. 6. Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings. Anne E. Grimmer. 1979. 10. Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork. Kay D. Weeks and David W. Look, AIA. 1982. 17. Architectural Character—Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving their Character. Lee H. Nelson, FAIA. 1988. 19. The Repair and Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs. Sharon C. Park, AIA. 1989. 20. The Preservation of Historic Barns. Michael J. Auer. 1989.

30 24. Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings: Problems and Recommended Approaches. Sharon C. Park, AIA. 1991. 31. Mothballing Historic Buildings. Sharon C. Park, AIA. 1993. 32. Making Historic Properties Accessible. Thomas C. Jester and Sharon C. Park, AIA. 1993. 35. Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation. Travis C. McDonald, Jr. 1994. 36. Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes. Charles A. Birnbaum, ASLA. 1994. 37. Appropriate Methods of Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing. Sharon C. Park, AIA, and Douglas C. Hicks. 1995, updated 2006. 39. Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings. Sharon C. Park, AIA. 1996. 43. The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports. Deborah Slaton. 2004. 47. Maintaining the Exterior of Small and Medium Size Historic Buildings. Sharon Park, FAIA. 2007.

Preservation Tech Notes

Exterior Woodwork

1. Proper Painting and Surface Preparation. Sharon Park, AIA. 1986. 2. Paint Removal from Wood Siding. Alan O'Bright. 1986. 3. Log Crown Repair and Selective Replacement Using Epoxy and Fiberglass Reinforcing Bars. Harrison Goodall. 1989. 4. Protecting Woodwork Against Decay Using Borate Preservatives. Ron Sheetz and Charles Fisher. 1993.

31 Bibliography

Carson, Cary, and Carl Lounsbury 2013 The Chesapeake House: Architectural Investigation by Colonial Williamsburg. University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

FXCODB Fairfax County Deed Book

Kilmer, Kenton, and Donald Sweig 1975 The Fairfax Family in Fairfax County: A Brief History. Published by the Fairfax County Office of Comprehensive Planning under the direction of the County Board of Supervisors in cooperation with the County History Commission, Fairfax, Virginia.

Olmert, Michael 2009 Kitchens, Smokehouses, and Privies: Outbuildings and the Architecture of Daily Life in the Eighteenth-Century Mid-Atlantic. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.

Sherman, Franklin ? Thomas, Ninth Lord Fairfax, Facts, Gossip, and Tradition. Transcription of manuscript housed at the Virginia Room, Fairfax Regional Library in MSS 08-09 Box C file 20.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior 1960 Historic American Building Survey, Ash Grove, Fairfax County, Virginia. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/va0441/

1992 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Population Census and Agricultural Schedules. Accessed at ancestry.com.

Vlach, John Michael 1993 Back of the Big House: The Architecture of Plantation Slavery. University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

32 Appendix A Measured Drawings

33

 SHEET:

  AND PROTECTION BRANCH FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT



  ASH GROVE HISTORIC SITE, MEAT HOUSE 8881 ASHGROVE HOUSE LANE VIENNA FAIRFAX COUNTY VIRGINIA 





       

        VDHR NUMBER: 029-0002 DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 DRAWN BY: E. PEEBLES, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 FXCO NUMBER: 028-02-A01 FILE PATH: \\S51B204\Sites\JLC\AutoCAD\OCPP\ASH GROVE\ASH GROVE MEAT HOUSE  SHEET:

 AND PROTECTION BRANCH FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT



 ASH GROVE HISTORIC SITE, MEAT HOUSE 8881 ASHGROVE HOUSE LANE VIENNA FAIRFAX COUNTY VIRGINIA





       

        VDHR NUMBER: 029-0002 DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 DRAWN BY: E. PEEBLES, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 FXCO NUMBER: 028-02-A01 FILE PATH: \\S51B204\Sites\JLC\AutoCAD\OCPP\ASH GROVE\ASH GROVE MEAT HOUSE  SHEET:

 AND PROTECTION BRANCH FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 ASH GROVE HISTORIC SITE, MEAT HOUSE 8881 ASHGROVE HOUSE LANE VIENNA FAIRFAX COUNTY VIRGINIA





       

        VDHR NUMBER: 029-0002 DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 DRAWN BY: E. PEEBLES, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 FXCO NUMBER: 028-02-A01 FILE PATH: \\S51B204\Sites\JLC\AutoCAD\OCPP\ASH GROVE\ASH GROVE MEAT HOUSE  SHEET:

 AND PROTECTION BRANCH FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 ASH GROVE HISTORIC SITE, MEAT HOUSE 8881 ASHGROVE HOUSE LANE VIENNA FAIRFAX COUNTY VIRGINIA



 

                  VDHR NUMBER: 029-0002 DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 DRAWN BY: E. PEEBLES, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 FXCO NUMBER: 028-02-A01 FILE PATH: \\S51B204\Sites\JLC\AutoCAD\OCPP\ASH GROVE\ASH GROVE MEAT HOUSE  SHEET:

 AND PROTECTION BRANCH FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 ASH GROVE HISTORIC SITE, MEAT HOUSE 8881 ASHGROVE HOUSE LANE VIENNA FAIRFAX COUNTY VIRGINIA





       

      VDHR NUMBER: 029-0002 DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 DRAWN BY: E. PEEBLES, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 FXCO NUMBER: 028-02-A01 FILE PATH: \\S51B204\Sites\JLC\AutoCAD\OCPP\ASH GROVE\ASH GROVE MEAT HOUSE Appendix B Historic American Building Survey Excerpts of the 1959-1961 HABS survey of Ash Grove, VA 504. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/va0441/

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47