Stone House Masonry Restoration

The Stone House will be closed through June for masonry restoration.

NPS/ Andrew Bentley

The National Park Service completed a major masonry preservation project on the Stone House in Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Project Work:

The Historic Preservation Training Center replaced all mortar in between the stones and performing conservation work on damaged stones to ensure the preservation of this historic structure. The previous mortar was incompatible with the stone and was causing the historic stone to crack and fall apart. Fortunately, the problem was identified by park specialists and we are intervening at the right time. The new mortar will replaced all mortar of the structure and will be historically accurate, closely matching the original historic mortar. This will alleviate the stress being put on the historic stone and prevent future damage. Conservation work was performed to repair the cracked and damaged stones. Common approaches employed by the National Park Service include infilling, bonding, and surface consolidation. Both repair and preservation efforts will ensure the lasting preservation of the house.

 

Stone House in the early 1900's before Manassas National Battlefield Park was incorporated as part of the National Park Service.

NPS

Early History:

The Stone House is one of three wartime structures present within Manassas National Battlefield Park today. Constructed in 1848, the Stone House is situated to the north east of the intersection of modern-day Lee Highway (rt.29) and Sudley Road (rt. 234). Both roads exist almost entirely atop the wartime roadbeds of the Warrenton (formerly Fauquier and Alexandria) Turnpike and the Sudley Road. Before the war it served as a Tavern for travelers along these roads. During the war, these important crossroads would cause the Stone House to find itself in the heart of both battles. During the First and Second Battles of Manassas the structure served as an aid station for wounded soldiers with graffiti present on the floorboards still present today.

 

A previous restoration of the Stone House in the 1950's.

NPS

Restoration History:

During the post war occupation of the Stone House several minor additions and modifications were made to the house itself and the surrounding landscape. These included additions to the north of the structure and a porch on the south face. Additional outbuildings and commercial structures were also constructed on the lot to support the Stone House Inn during private ownership in the early 20th century. The NPS acquired the house in 1949 and in 1950 began stabilization work, including masonry repointing work. Later in the decade, the NPS removed the Stone House Inn and the remaining outbuildings to restore the landscape. In 1961 the park fully restored the structure, returning the house to its wartime appearance. Today’s project demonstrates the NPS’s continued commitment to the preservation of its historic resources.

 

The Stone House and Henry Hill as seen from Matthews Hill.

NPS