The McLean (or Surrender) House at the Village of Old Appomattox Court House, Virginia: A Study for the Reconstruction Thereof
Happel R. 1940. The McLean (or Surrender) House at the Village of Old Appomattox Court House, Virginia: A Study for the Reconstruction Thereof. Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Appomattox, Virginia
This study of the McLean House was prepared to serve as the research paper justifying the CCC job of archeological investigation at the McLean House site, and also as a historical reference paper supporting reconstruction plans of the structure. It contains information relating to the history and construction of the McLean House in Appomattox Court House village. The McLean House was best known as the place where General Lee surrendered his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant on April 9, 1865, essentially bringing an end to the American Civil War. The report documents the history of the structure as a part of the village. Wilmer McLean had left his home in Manassas to escape the conflict and settled in Appomattox Court House, where he purchased the house from Charles Raine. Following the war, M. E. Dunlap bought the property in 1891 with the intent of relocating the house to Washington, DC as a museum. Although the house was torn down in 1893, the plan was never realized. The report presents evidence for reconstruction that is available in photographs and drawings. Personal recollections are also included. Landscape features, such as outbuildings, trees, fencing, and ornamental flowers, are part of these descriptions. It summarizes the next steps for the reconstruction of the McLean House, beginning with archeological investigation and then continuing to the work on building materials, furniture, and interior woodwork.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Happel, Ralph
- Date of Issue
- 1940-12
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- APCO , NER
- Keywords
- Alexander Gardner, archeological investigation, archeology, CCC, Charles Raine, Civil War, Civilian Conservation Corps, landscape, Matthew Brady, reconstruction, Robert E. Lee, specifications, tavern, U.S. Signal Corps, Ulysses S. Grant, Wilmer McLean