Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1280
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
This outbuilding was restored under the direction of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, Architects. Walter Macomber was Resident Architect.
Restoration started - May, 1932
Restoration completed - January, 1933
Note: This building was moved in 1952 to the Hartwell Perry lot, Block 13 and it is now known as Hartwell Perry's Kitchen, Building 34E. Because of alterations made to the building and its changed situation, the present report will require revision.
This report was recorded by 0rin M. Bullock, Jr., November 15, 1932. It was reviewed and prepared for binding by A. Lawrence Kocher and Howard Dearstyne, August 10, 1951.
GENERAL NOTES
There is no evidence at the building to establish either its original use or date of erection. No formal report has been made on the property by the Research Department.
The building is located on property which did not pass into private hands until the middle nineteenth century and upon which no encroachments were made before 1780.
The "Frenchman's" map of 1786 shows a small building (not proved to be the same) which bears a similar relation to the Vest House of that date as the present building bears to the Vest House after its extension to the east.
The form of the chimney is late, possibly after 1810, and the framing adjacent thereto would seem to be contemporary with it.
The twentieth century addition to the east was removed.
The pitch of the roof was made steeper to adjust appearance to the eighteenth century. A twentieth century change had made it quite flat.
EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS
Body and Trim — Color #306. Doors and Shutters — Color #308.
SHINGLES
Mohawk asbestos.
DORMER WINDOWS
New, of eight lights, gable roof. Similar to those found on the Unicorn's Horn.
The original dormers had been removed. (It is assumed that there were dormers originally because of the evidence of a stair.)
CORNICE
New. Similar to cornice of the Emma Lou Barlow House, (Captain Orr's Dwelling).
GUTTER AND LEADER
No gutters or leaders. Bricks laid at grade to receive water from eaves and prevent spatter.
WALL SURFACES
Beaded weatherboarding. The original material pieced out with new. Some original weatherboarding was beaded to match the earlier work.
PORCH
No porch. Old stone found on site used for steps to door (on North).
FRONT DOOR
New slab door (on North). The location was determined by the original frame which was still in place. It had been blocked up.
WINDOWS
The original frames were repaired. Solid slab shutters. Similar to those on the Mary Wall Christian House, (Timson House). The sash are new, similar to the later ones in the Travis House.
SHUTTERS
Solid slab shutters. New. Similar to those on the Mary Wall Christian House, (Timson House).
FOUNDATION WALL
Of small size brick, laid in common bond. The original patched where necessary with brick from the warehouse.
3CHIMNEYS
Rebuilt similar to its original form. Necessary because its foundation had settled, and the chimney was dangerously out of plumb.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS
The northwest and southwest corner boards are original. The others are new of the same profile. See notes under East and West Elevations for end boards.
GENERAL NOTES
Although the grade of the building and ceiling height were established by original work, the roof pitch was assumed to have been as steep as that of the Raleigh Tavern Servant's Quarters.
SHINGLES
See Note under North and South Elevations.
DORMER WINDOWS
See Note under North and South Elevations.
CORNICE
See Note under North and South Elevations.
GUTTERS AND LEADER
No gutters or leaders.
WALL SURFACES
Part original, part original with bead to match old ones, part new to match old.
PORCH
None.
FRONT DOOR
None.
WINDOWS
New casement window in gable. Four light, as are to be found in the Mayo Kitchen, Bassett Hall Kitchen, and many other buildings throughout the state.
SHUTTERS
None.
4FOUNDATION WALL
Original wall (common bond) patched and repaired where necessary.
CHIMNEYS
Rebuilt after original design. Some additional brick was furnished from our warehouse for replacements. There is no record of its original source. The brick is small late brick laid common bond.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS
The north cornice is stopped by returning the bed mould and projecting weatherboard to receive the crown mould. The south is stopped by a typical barge board following local precedent. The corner boards are new. Similar to that on the Bourbon Kitchen, (Ayscough House).
GENERAL NOTES
Since the building is obviously late, the chimney was restored to its original appearance, outline, and board. The modern twentieth-century addition was removed.
SHINGLES
See Notes under North and South Elevations.
DORMER WINDOWS
Ditto.
CORNICE
Ditto.
GUTTER AND LEADER
No gutters or leaders.
WALL SURFACES
See Note under East Elevation.
PORCH
None.
5FRONT DOOR
None. The door found in this facade was not original and was blocked up.
WINDOWS
One casement in gable, added to light stair. See note under East Elevation.
SHUTTERS
No shutters.
BASEMENT WALK
See note under East Elevation.
CHIMNEYS
No chimney.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS
See notes under East Elevation.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
GENERAL NOTES
The original plaster was applied on hand split lathes which were fastened with w. i. nails. The window frames were all in place although they had been half covered with boards. The original sash had disappeared. The simple moulded window trim was all. in place though damaged in part.
The first floor was in such bad condition it could not be used. The flooring on the second floor was largely perfect and was reused. The stair had been removed when the roof was lowered, but an original portion of soffit remained in the bath room and a portion of the base remained in the stair hall. These two items determined the original form of the stair.
All framing and foundations were original and of the same period. The brick was all laid in common bond.
FLOOR
From our antique warehouse. The flooring found here was used on the first floor.
FLOOR NAILS
Common cut nails.
BEAMS
Original; replaced where necessary.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Walls and ceiling new plaster on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
New to match that found on first floor.
CHAIR RAIL
No chair rail.
7CORNICE
None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
Copied from an old mantel in warehouse. There was no evidence of the original mantel.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Rebuilt of original material to original dimensions.
WINDOWS
(sash trim and frame and metal work). See Notes on Elevations. All new.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR, AND TRIM
Door and Trim to match original bath room door. The partition in which this door is hung was added for convenience.
METAL WORK ON DOOR
(latch, hinges, door knob, fastenings, etc.). 'Jump' manufacturing. H and L hinges and thumb latch.
COLOR
Wood — color #21W. Baseboard — color Black. Walls — color White.
EQUIPMENT
No equipment except electrical outlets.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
FLOOR
Antique floor from our warehouse. The original floor unfit for use.
FLOOR NAILS
Cut nails.
BEAMS
Original beams, replaced, with new material. They were unfit for use, rotten.
8WALLS AND WALL COVERING
New plaster on metal lath. West wall stair, sheathed.
CEILING
New plaster on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
Original in part. New to complete work.
CHAIR RAIL
None.
CORNICE
None.
PANELLING OR, WAINSCOT
None. Stair wall beaded sheathing new. Design typical in local work. See Raleigh Tavern Servants Quarters.
MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
None.
WINDOWS
(sash trim and frame and metal work). None.
CLOSETS
Closet under stair. For convenience of house.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door to bath original. Other two doors new of same design. Door to closet under stair similar.
METAL WORK ON DOOR
(latch, hinges, door knob, fastenings, etc.). All hinges 'Jump' H and L. Thumb latches on all except front door which has rim lock. Colonial design.
COLOR
Wood — color #34W (slightly modified with white). Baseboard — color Black. Walls — color #45W.
EQUIPMENT
No equipment except electrical outlets.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
STAIRS
(Note: This sheet to be pinned or clipped to record sheet of room the stairs are in.) Entire stair new dimensions determined by existing work.
RISERS AND TREADS
New. All design determined by original framing. The wall stringer at the first floor was in place.
NEWELL POST AND HANDRAIL
None.
BALUSTERS
None.
STRINGER, STRING BOARD AND STRING BOARD ORNAMENT
The stair is enclosed by a sheathed partition. The only ornament being the beaded base at outside wall. The portion along the north wall is original and determined the winders. The well header at the second floor determined the main run.
LANDING (IF ANY)
(floor—windows or openings on, if any—posts—hand rail and balusters—"gallery board"). No landing.
CLOSET
The closet on second floor was added for tenant's convenience.
COLOR
Colors same as First Floor Hall.
FLOOR
New floor, linoleum covered.
FLOOR NAILS
Common cut nails.
BEAMS
Original replaced with new where necessary.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
New plaster on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
Original base.
CHAIR RAIL
No chair rail.
CORNICE
None.
10PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
None.
WINDOWS
(sash trim and frame and metal work). Sash new, like Travis House. Frame, and trim original, repaired. Sash balance on lower sash, new.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Original, repaired.
METAL WORK ON DOOR
(latch, hinges, door knob, fastenings, etc.) 'Jump' manufacturing. H and L hinges, thumb latch.
COLOR
Wood — color #27W. Baseboard — color Black. Walls — color #21W.
EQUIPMENT
Water closet, lavatory, tub, medicine cabinet, electrical outlets.
GENERAL NOTES
A trap door in the floor allows access to basement space. A portion of the stair soffit, (original) shows in this room.
FLOOR
Original floor of second floor.
FLOOR NAILS
Common cut nails.
BEAMS
Original replaced with new where necessary to make structurally sound, (95% replaced).
11WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Original framing replaced where necessary. New plaster on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
Original baseboard.
CEILING
New plaster on metal lath.
CHAIR RAIL
No chair rail, but there is, however, a beaded hook strip which is 90% original. The portions of the fireplace being new.
CORNICE
None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
New to detail. Design similar. A mantel in warehouse. The original had disappeared.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Rebuilt to original dimensions using original brick.
WINDOWS
(sash trim and frame and metal work). New sash similar to Travis House. Trim and frame original, repaired. Lower sash counter-balanced with spring balance. (New.)
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
New door design like the original to bath.
METAL WORK ON DOOR
(latch, hinges, door knob, fastenings, etc.) 'Jump' manufacturing. H and L hinges and thumb latches.
COLOR
Wood — color #34W (slightly modified with white). Baseboard — color Black. Walls — color #45W.
EQUIPMENT
No equipment.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
BASEMENT
There is no basement. A space 18" deep was excavated under first floor joist to allow ventilation.