Cultural Heritage Survey of Culpeper County, Virginia

1. A Cultural Resource Survey of Twenty-Three Areas of Historic Interest in Culpeper County, Virginia A Cost-Share Survey Project from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and Culpeper County ~ 2008 - 2009 ~

2. Overview of Presentation • ● Project Summary • Scope, Goals, Project Area, Methodologies • ● Survey Results: Overview & Evaluation • General Findings • Prominent Historical Themes • Integrity & NRHP Eligibility • Three District PIF Candidates • ● Conclusions & Recommendations • Further Survey Work • Historic Preservation Planning • ● Acknowledgments

3. Final Deliverables: ● Summary Report ● Recommendations ● Presentation Project Summary: Scope & Goals A Year-long, Multi-phase, Cultural Resource Survey … ● Historic resource survey of 23bounded Areas of Historic Interest(AOHIs) in Culpeper County, Virginia (7,500-plus total acres) ● Documentation and analysis of a minimum 250 historic properties, including architectural and archaeological resources and cultural landscapes ● Preparation of Preliminary Information Forms (PIFs) for three potentially eligible NRHP district areas

4. “Where there are important clusters of sites (often the villages), I have plotted areas of historic interest with their boundaries” (Scheel 1994). The AOHIs selected for this project were originally identified and delineated by Eugene Scheel during his early 1990s countywide historic resource survey (1992-1994). Culpeper County later adapted them for use in current and future land use planning. Project Summary: Project Area The 23 AOHIs: Crossroads Communities, Villages & Cultural Centers: Brandy Station, Griffinsburg, Jeffersonton, LaGrange, Lignum, Mitchells, Rapidan, and Stevensburg Battlefield Sites and Landscapes: Cedar Mountain, Cunningham Farm, Hansbroughs Ridge Winter Encampment (1863-1864), Rappahannock River Fortifications, St. James Church ‘Other’ Areas of Interest: Beverlys Ford, Fleetwood Hill, Hansboroughs Ridge, Hazel Run/Ryland Chapel, Jonas Run, Mount Pony, Mountain Run, Kellys Ford, Raccoons Ford, Richards Ford / Hassininga

5. Project Area: 23 AOHIs Regional Map Culpeper County, VA (Culpeper County Planning Dept. 2005) N Jeffersonton Fleetwood Hill Area of Historic Interest (AOHI) Cunningham Farm Hazel River Beverlys Ford Brandy Station Griffinsburg St. James Church Rappahannock River Fortifications Jonas Run / Mountain Run Kellys Ford Mount Pony Hansbroughs Ridge Cedar Mountain Lagrange Mitchells Richards Ford / Hassininga Lignum Raccoon Ford Hansbroughs Ridge Winter Encampment Rapidan Stevensburg

6. WPA Survey (1936-1938): 300-plus sites • Stevens & Jones Survey (1972): 170-plus sites • Eugene Scheel (1992–1994): 1000-plus resources • Virginia Research Center for Archaeology Sites Inventory (Data collected thru 1993) • VA DHR IPS Site Inventory / DSS Site Files Database (Data collected from 1966 thru present) Project Summary: Methodologies Previous Surveys: Background Research ● DHR Site Files; Culpeper County Resources; Previous Surveys ● Historical Contexts (County; AOHIs) Field Survey ● Reconnaissance-level survey of all architectural resources 50 years or older ● Documentation of known archaeological sites and assessment of AOHI’s archaeological potential ● Documentation and assessment of cultural landscapes Post-Field Survey Documentation & Analysis ● DHR DSS Packets (Topo maps; Site plans; DSS forms; Photographs) ● Evaluation of Resource Condition, Integrity and NRHP-Eligibility ● Preparation of three District PIFs [In Consultation w/ DHR & County]

7. Total AOHIs Surveyed: 21 (of 23) Total Area Surveyed: 7,000+ acres # Resources Surveyed: 274 Architectural: 247 Archaeological: 27 Previously-Recorded: 159 Newly-Recorded: 115 Districts: 4 Buildings: 228 Objects: 9 Structures: 6 Survey Findings: Overview By the Numbers… Culpeper County’s cultural heritage comprises a rich and diverse assemblage of historic & prehistoric sites, built elements, districts, and cultural landscapes, deriving from nearly every phase of the region’s historical development. Analysis: Upon completion of the fieldwork phase, survey data was tabulated and analyzed to evaluate any discernable patterns or trends that might help inform the County’s ongoing preservation planning efforts: ● Geographic Distribution ● Temporal Association ● Thematic Trends ● Property Integrity ● NRHP Significance Rappahannock River Fortifications and Hansboroughs Ridge Winter Encampment, 1863-1864 AOHIs and portions of Cunningham Farm & Beverlys Ford AOHIs were not surveyed due to access & scheduling issues.

8. # Surveyed Resources by AOHI: Highest: Brandy Station (47; 17%) Lowest: Cunningham Farm* (4; 1.5%) Density (# Resources / Acre) by AOHI: Highest: Brandy Station (1 / 1.2 acres) Lowest: Fleetwood Hill* (1 / 152.22 acres) Survey Results: Overview By the Numbers… Geographic Distribution Areas of Historic Interest

9. # Resources by Time Period:[Dates of Construction] ◦ 1865-1917: 99 (36%) ◦ 1917-1945: 65 (23.7%) Oldest Architectural Resources Surveyed: ◦ Zimmermans Tavern (1736) ◦ Salubria (post-1742) Survey Results: Overview By the Numbers… Temporal Distribution

10. Agricultural • Commerce / Trade • Domestic • Education • Funerary • Government /Law/ Politics • Industry • Military • Recreation / Arts • Religion • Settlement Patterns • Social • Transportation Survey Findings: Overview HistoricalThemes Historical Themes

11. Survey Findings: Prominent Historical Themes ●Agricultural & Agro-industrial “A Rich Rural Heritage” ●Transportation “The Crossroads of Virginia” ●Military [Civil War] “Prelude to Gettysburg” Mural, Sandy Springs Farm (023-0053-0201)

12. Prominent Historical Themes: Agricultural A Rich Rural Heritage Jonas Run / Mountain Run AOHI (2007) Surveyed Resources with an Agricultural Component:88 (32.1%) Aerial of Culpeper County Displayed in the Virginia Exhibit Room at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. As late as 2004, over 87 % (213,468.9) of the County’s tax parcels (243,840 total) were still zoned Rural /Agricultural

13. Types of Military-Themed Resources Surveyed: • Battlefields, monuments, markers & signage, encampments, earthworks, stone walls • Major Civil War Actions in Culpeper County: • Battle of Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862 • Battle of Brandy Station, Jun. 9, 1863 • Two main Kelly’s Ford Engagements, Mar. and Nov. 1863 • Rappahannock Bridge, Nov. 1863 • Morton’s Ford, Feb. 1864 • Jeffersonton, Nov. 1862; Oct. 1863 • Hansboroughs Ridge Winter Encampment, 1863-1864 Prominent Historical Themes: Military By the Numbers… AOHIs Directly Impacted by Civil War: Brandy Station Beverlys Ford Cedar Mountain Cunningham Farm Fleetwood Hills Jeffersonton Jonas Run / Mountain Run Kellys Ford Lignum St. James Church Stevensburg

14. Prominent Historical Themes: Transportation The Crossroads of Virginia… • Crossroad communities • Colonial-era road & trail remnants • River fords & bridges • Canals • Railroads & passenger stations • Taverns Kelly's Ford Bridge Kirtley Trail Rapidan Passenger Station Raccoon Ford Transportation Themes: Associated with 4th highest number of surveyed resources (13 or 4.7%) reflecting Culpeper’s centuries-long role as an important regional crossroads community Powell’s Canal

15. 147 previously-recorded sites in Culpeper County as of Dec. 2007 Survey Results: Archaeological Resources Archaeological Heritage: [Clockwise from top-left]: Kellysville Domestic Site; Kellys Ford Mill, Normans Mill Ruins, School at Lignum. Jeffersonton School Site Previously-recorded archaeological sites surveyed: 26New archaeology sites surveyed: 1 [Jeffersonton School Site]

16. Survey Results: Resource Integrity Saved ‘At Risk’ George Stone House (023-5109) Brandy Station, Built ca. 1850 Clover Hill (023-5029) Cunningham Farm, Built ca. 1771 • Farley (023-0005) • Fleetwood Hill, Built 1801 • William Massey House (023-5022) • Mount Pony, Built ca. 1820 Farley (2008) Clover Hill (2008) Clover Hill, ca. 1937 Lost Button Tenant House Site (2008) Button Tenant House (023-0055-0256) Cunningham Farm, Built ca. 1900, Demolished post-1994 House, Batna Road (023-5190) Stevensburg, Built ca. 1870, Demolished post-1994

17. North Cliff • Emmanuel Episcopal Church • Soldiers Rest • Wisconsin 3rd Monument • Mitchells (District) • William Massey House • Old Carolina Road Segment • Brown Shop/2nd Lagrange P.O. Survey Results: NRHP Eligibility [Clockwise from Left]: 73 Surveyed Resources Recommended Potentially Eligible for Listing on the NRHP

18.  Survey Results: Potential NRHP Districts • The “PIF” Candidates: • Jonas Run / Mountain Run AOHIs [Rural Landscape] • Jeffersonton[Village Center] • Mitchells [Village Center] N N N Mitchells Jeffersonton Jonas Run-Mountain Run

19. District PIF: Jonas Run/Mountain Run Size:430 acres Date(s) of Significance: 1796; 1857; 1863-1864; Late 19th – Early 20th Centuries Surveyed Resources: 15 Farming Properties: 4 Agro-industrial Sites: 1 Transportation Sites: 2 By the Numbers… District Strengths:  Preserved rural landscape  Architecturally distinctive  Civil War history & sites  Archaeological potential  Heritage tourism potential Recommended as an Eligible NRHP Historic District Under…  Criterion A (Regional transportation & agro-industrial development, Civil War)  Criterion C (Architectural merits)  Criterion D (Archaeological potential)

20. District PIF: Jeffersonton Size: 97 acres Date(s) of Significance: 1798; 1807; 1863; 1930 Surveyed Resources: 15 Residential Buildings: 10 Churches: 2 Schools: 1 Archaeological Sites: 2 By the Numbers… Potential Threats New development • Recommended Eligible for Listing as NRHP Historic District Under… •  Criterion A (Regional planning & development history) •  Criterion C (Architectural merits) •  Criterion D (Archaeological potential)

21. District PIF: Mitchells Size: 97 acres Date(s) of Significance: 1879 Surveyed Resources: 21 Residential Buildings: 15 Churches: 2 Agro-industrial: 1 Schools: 1 Stores: 1 NRHP Sites: 1 By the Numbers… Potential Threats: Deterioration from neglect Recommended Eligible for Listing as NRHP Historic District Under…  Criterion A (Regional transportation history [Railroad depot community])  Criterion C (Architectural merits)

22. Summary: Potential Threats & Challenges • ●Population Growth and Encroaching Development • New development pursued without consideration of the existing built and natural environment can erode the setting and feeling of an historic landscape’s integrity and significance. • ● Deterioration and Neglect Due to Periods of Economic Instability and Decline • An unstable agricultural economy directly threatens the long-term integrity and survival of the region’s many farming properties--both large and small. • ●Public Perceptions and Level of Awareness Regarding Historic Preservation and its Potential Contributions • Buy-in from an informed citizenry and the private sector is key to a successful and sustainable heritage preservation program. Culpeper County’s Population Growth (2000-2006): 30.2% [34,262 (2000) … 44,622 (2006)]

23. Recommendations: …for Preserving Culpeper County’s Cultural Heritage Preservation Planning A Consistently Updated & Comprehensive Historic Resource Inventory ● The basis for any effective preservation plan or program ● A catalog identifying, describing, locating, and evaluating historically significant and potentially significant architectural and archaeological properties, sites, districts, and cultural landscapes The combined area of all 23 surveyed AOHIs is approx. 7,500-plus acres—just 0.005% of Culpeper County’s total land area of 1,279,994.9 acres (or 2,000 square miles). The Need for Additional Survey Work… ◦Electronically-formatted ◦ Containing data compiled by professionally trained staff during periodic surveys

24. Additional Survey Work: Architectural Resources • Potentially-eligible NRHP historic properties, community centers, rural districts, battlefields, and other cultural landscapes • ‘At-risk’ or threatened resources and areas containing them (e.g., Brandy Station, Stevensburg, Fleetwood, Raccoon Ford) • Areas along major transportation arteries, especially those targeted for industrial, commercial, and/or high-density residential development (e.g., Fleetwood, Mitchells, Rapidan, Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station, Rappahannock River Station) • Areas between & surrounding the 23 AOHIs • To continue expanding countywide history resource inventory • To better understand how surveyed AOHIs and constituent resources interrelate geographically and within the context of the County’s larger historical development

25. Additional Survey Work: Archaeological Resources • Sites identified during current survey as possessing potential NRHP eligibility (i.e., Jeffersonton Academy site [44CU0148]) • Areas along major transportation arteries & sectors targeted for new development (industrial, commercial, and high-density residential) as outlined in County’s Future Land Use plan • Areas along landforms lining major waterways and drainages, particularly near the confluences (e.g., Richards Ford-Hassininga AOHI) • 18th & early 19th century cultural landscapes, districts and communities (e.g., Kellys Ford, Mountain Run) The loss of many 18th century built resources combined with County’s well-preserved rural landscapes suggests strong potential for buried remains in certain sectors

26. Recommendations: Preservation Planning • Emphasize preservation planning within larger growth & land use management efforts • Draft and implement a formal, comprehensive preservation plan • Hire a trained preservation planner on a full-, part-, or consultancy-basis • Maintain a consistently updated historic resource inventory • Utilize a range of preservation-friendly growth management tools (e.g., easement programs, zoning overlay districts, a demolition delay/review ordinance, etc.) • Incentivize preservation through tax credit/exemption programs for appropriate rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of historic properties, matching grants, • Expand, Diversify & Enhance Heritage-based Education and Outreach Efforts • Expand, Diversify & Enhance Heritage Tourism Development & Programming • ● Horse Trails Proposal; Lenn Park Development Project • Be creative in search for funding and non-traditional, preservation-friendly measures, tools & incentives

27. Acknowledgments The Dovetail staff would like to extend their gratitude and sincerest thanks to all of those who generously provided their support and guidance throughout this project: The residents of Culpeper County and owners of properties we visited during the survey Staff and volunteers of the various local and state repositories and agencies we visited during the background research phase Laura Loveday, Comprehensive Planner and appointed liaison for the project; John Egertson, Department Director; Pamela N. Schiermeyer, GIS Coordinator Jeff Smith, the DSS Architecture Inventory Manager; Jolene Smith, the Archaeological Data Manager; Joanie Evans, Program Specialist/Architectural Historian, Northern Regional Office; Other staff from the DHR Archives, Cost-share Program, and Northern Virginia who supported our efforts A special thank you to the DHR cost-share survey program’s co-coordinators, David Edwards and Susan Smead Finally here at Dovetail, we would like to thank our colleagues for helping organize the large body of data, process photographs, create plans, and all of the other details needed on a project of this size.