Historic Structure Report, Architectural Data: Chatham
Karr G. 1984. Historic Structure Report, Architectural Data: Chatham. Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Denver Service Center, Denver, Colorado
Chatham, built circa 1768 to 1771, meets the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places established for the First Order of Significance. Architecturally, it is a classic example of a brick Georgian-style mansion that despite minor alteration has essentially retained its original integrity. William Fitzhugh, a prominent tidewater Virginia planter, built the home. From the original builder to the final private owner, retired General Motors executive John L. Pratt, Chatham has been owned by and associated with a number of locally as well as nationally prominent individuals. For instance, the house has demonstrable associations with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, and others. Chatham consists of two distinct groups of physical features, distinguished primarily by age and historical associations, which will be dealt with separately in this report since the conclusions and recommendations for the individual features in each group are similar. The plantation house with its detached kitchen and laundry comprise the first group of historic features. These three structures date to the original construction period undertaken by William Fitzhugh of Chatham in about 1770 and are the only extant buildings known to be standing at the time of the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862. Also included in this group are landscaping and trees positively identified as extant during the battle. These features all are of the First Order of Significance. The second group consists of the support structures--barn, stables, dairy, numerous farm outbuildings--and a variety of grounds and garden improvements which were provided in the post-Civil War era and are valuable in setting the historic scene. This group is of the Third Order of Significance.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Karr, Gerald
- Date of Issue
- 1984-01
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- FRSP , NER
- Keywords
- Civil War, Georgian mansion, home, mansion, plantation
- Subjects
- CRIS-HS: 082040: (Chatham Carriage Drive) Culverts , CRIS-HS: 082042: (Chatham Carriage Drive) Retaining Wall , CRIS-HS: 082041: (Chatham) Carriage Drive Spur , CRIS-HS: 007877: (Chatham) Carriage House and Stable , CRIS-HS: 080076: (Chatham) Dairy Barn , CRIS-HS: 000422: Chatham , CRIS-HS: 082036: Chatham (Rear) Garden Wall and Gates , CRIS-HS: 080077: Chatham Caretaker's Cottage , CRIS-HS: 082039: Chatham Carriage Drive , CRIS-HS: 007885: Chatham Civil War Grave Markers , CRIS-HS: 007878: Chatham Corn Crib , CRIS-HS: 082046: Chatham Farm Lane , CRIS-HS: 007873: Chatham Farm Office , CRIS-HS: 082038: Chatham Front Entrance Path , CRIS-HS: 082037: Chatham Front Retaining Wall and Stair , CRIS-HS: 082051: Chatham Furnace House , CRIS-HS: 082045: Chatham Garden Paths , CRIS-HS: 082033: Chatham Garden Pergola , CRIS-HS: 082047: Chatham Garden Rose Trellises (5) , CRIS-HS: 082050: Chatham Gas Pump , CRIS-HS: 007872: Chatham Kitchen Building , CRIS-HS: 082035: Chatham Lane , CRIS-HS: 007874: Chatham Laundry , CRIS-HS: 007876: Chatham Lily Pond , CRIS-HS: 082043: Chatham Manor Entrance Gate , CRIS-HS: 082053: Chatham Manor Fire Hydrant , CRIS-HS: 007879: Chatham Milk House , CRIS-HS: 082031: Chatham Music Stair , CRIS-HS: 007881: Chatham North Greenhouse , CRIS-HS: 007883: Chatham Rotunda , CRIS-HS: 082044: Chatham Side Garden Terrace Walkway , CRIS-HS: 007880: Chatham South Greenhouse , CRIS-HS: 007875: Chatham Summer House