The Physical History of the Moore House, 1930-1934
Peterson CE. 1935. The Physical History of the Moore House, 1930-1934. Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Branch of Plans and Design
The Moore House is a frame farmhouse on the south bank of the York River, a little over a mile outside of Yorktown, Virginia. The surrounding lands were known for many years as "Temple Farm" and are part of the original patent secured by John Harvey in about 1631. The date and builder of the structure were not known. It was standing in 1781, at the time of the Siege of Yorktown, and at that time it was owned by Augustine Moore. It was the location where the terms of surrender of the British Army were negotiated in October, 1871. This document describes the known history of the structure and restoration work. It was restored in a typical 19th century manner in 1881, prior to the Yorktown Centennial. The Colonial National Monument was established by an Act of Congress in 1930, and later that year Congressman Bland of Virginia proposed to Director Albright that the Moore House and surrounding lands be purchased as part of the preparations for the 1931 Yorktown Sesquicentennial celebration. This describes the physical history of the house, excavations, and periods of restoration work, accompanied by photos. The report is compiled from writings, drawings, and photographs now in the possession of the National Park Service. The report was being prepared with the intent that it could be placed in the Moore House so visitors could know what changes had been made since it came into the hands of the federal government. The NPS Historic Structures Report was defined by the Moore House Report in 1935. It is usually a compendium of all known information about the historic structure, and includes documents such as letters, photographs, drawings, etc., together with the results of archeological and architectural investigations, to better understand the building, its evolution, and present condition.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peterson, Charles
- Date of Issue
- 1935-10-15
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Branch of Plans and Design
- Units
- COLO , NER
- Keywords
- American Revolution, British, centennial, Civil War, Cornwallis, excavation, farmstead, historic preservation, Mathew Brady, military, NPS history, preservation history, restoration, surrender, Temple Farm, Yorktown
- Subjects
- CRIS-HS: 000211: Moore House (000211) , CRIS-HS: 081770: Moore House - Cemetery Fence , CRIS-HS: 081767: Moore House - Entrance Drive , CRIS-HS: 017262: Moore House - Ice House , CRIS-HS: 081766: Moore House - Kitchen Fence , CRIS-HS: 082168: Moore House - Men's Comfort Station , CRIS-HS: 017261: Moore House - Outside Kitchen , CRIS-HS: 081769: Moore House - Walks , CRIS-HS: 017263: Moore House - Wellhead , CRIS-HS: 081765: Moore House - Women's Comfort Station , CRIS-HS: 081768: Moore House - Yard Fence