Preservation Virginia staff visited Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary in Brunswick County last week to look at an early house in need of repairs. The farm is operated by Susan Klingenberg, who rescues farm animals in need and provides them with a safe home. The building in question is a 19th century, one-story frame house with …
Aug
31
31
Washington’s Offer to Marshall for Attorney General
On August 26, 1795, President George Washington found himself in need of an Attorney General of the United States to serve within his administration. Eager to fill the vacancy with his first-choice candidate, Washington took “the earliest opportunity” to offer the office of Attorney General to John Marshall. Marshall received Washington’s letter at a time in …
Aug
7
7
Preserving the Smokehouse at Bacon’s Castle
In the first installment of our new Preservation in Action Video Series, Eric Litchford, Preservation Projects Manager, takes you through the recent rehabilitation work completed on the 19th-century smokehouse at Bacon’s Castle. The smokehouse played an important role in ensuring everyone stayed well fed through the winter months and beyond. Preserving meat before commercial refrigeration …
Jul
22
22
Speaker Lineup: Economic Recovery during the COVID-19 Pandemic online program
Historic preservation, including rehabilitation of historic buildings and heritage tourism, are critical components of the nation’s economy. July 24th’s online program features a discussion on adaptation during the pandemic and the role of historic preservation in economic recovery. Below are the bios of our panelists, and a recording of the program can be found in …
Jul
16
16
Speaker Lineup: Making Preservation More Inclusive
July 17th’s panel discussion about diversity and inclusivity in preservation features Audrey P. Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, and several representatives from sites listed in the 2020 Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places program. A video of their discussion will be saved under the Videos and Online Programs section of our website: Audrey …
Jun
17
17
Smith’s Fort: An American Story
By Jennifer Hurst-Wender Just over two miles from the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry sits Smith’s Fort, a story-and-a-half, brick merchant’s home, built for Jacob Faulcon and his family in the mid-18th century. In 1609, Captain John Smith began construction of a fort site on the property. The fort was abandoned a few months later due to what …
category: Smith's Fort Plantation, Untold Stories
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Jun
2
2
A Statement on the Death of George Floyd and the Impact of History
The national and global responses and outrage to the terrible and tragic events of George Floyd’s killing illuminate the long and violent American history of racism and injustice that began in 1619 with the beginnings of American slavery in Virginia. The study of history and the interpretation of historic places must include new and revised …
category: Bacon's Castle, Cape Henry Lighthouse, Historic Jamestowne, John Marshall House, Patrick Henry's Scotchtown, Smith's Fort Plantation, A Future for Shockoe Bottom, Advocacy, Revolving Fund Program, Untold Stories, Virginia Preservation Conference
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May
8
8
Here’s the ‘Dirt’ at Scotchtown
Mary, Mary, quite contrary How does your garden grow? As noted in this 16th century children’s rhyme, the question of how best to grow healthy and productive gardens was an ever present challenge our forefathers and ancestors faced. Whether by accident or studied practice, many cultures and societies through trial and error learned about the …
category: Patrick Henry's Scotchtown, Untold Stories
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May
1
1
The Mint Julep: John Marshall Affirmed
Although the Kentucky Derby is postponed, don’t wait to enjoy one of Chief Justice John Marshall’s favorite drinks, the mint julep. Preservation Virginia’s curator of collections (and native Kentuckian) Lea Lane explores how this icy refresher made its way to Richmond and beyond, then shows how you can make one at home using a locally …
category: John Marshall House, Untold Stories
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Apr
29
29
Insights from the Cape Henry Lighthouse: Let’s Talk About Paint
The cast-iron spiral steps at Old Cape Henry Lighthouse were installed in 1867 to replace the original wooden stairs from 1792. For the past century, that spiral stair has been painted black, but it wasn’t always that color. Cape Henry Lighthouse has recently completed several major preservation projects. In May 2019 we completed the …
category: Cape Henry Lighthouse, Untold Stories
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