Historic Structure Report: L'Hermitage, The Best House

GWWO, Inc.

L'Hermitage, the Best House, is late 18th century farmhouse located south of Frederick, Maryland, on the Monocacy National Battlefield. The house is listed as contributing structure on the National Register nomination for the Battlefield. Although currently vacant, the house is monitored periodically and is undergoing window restoration. Areas of the adjacent site have received archeological study under separate National Park Service contract. A preliminary report from these investigations is due to be issued in 2003. Dr Paula Stoner Reed has documented the property and its history over the past several years and has prepared the Cultural Resource Study of the Monocacy National Battlefield, updated through August 2001. In the fall of 2002, the firm of GWWO, Inc./Architects was hired to complete this architectural documentation of the house including computer generated measured drawings, photographs and written descriptions. This study also contains a site survey and topological site plan, a limited paint analysis, a structural analysis of the building, a code review and preliminary review of asbestos and lead paint material present at the property. The character-defining features of L’Hermitage, the Best House, have been identified. As viewed from the exterior, a significant feature is the arrangement of the individual volumes (excluding the modern north and east porches) that taken together, constitute the massing of the property. The exterior materials of stucco, stone, brick and wood siding are also defining features. Interior character-defining features include the spatial arrangements, volumetric characteristics and detailing of three areas: the original, c1794 L’Hermitage (the current south wing of the property), the original kitchen outbuilding that was later incorporated into the building and the c1795-1800 north addition. The fact that the house has survived without extensive secondary alterations adds to its significance. Unfortunately, due to long periods of benign neglect while in private hands, a considerable amount of the integrity of the wood structural members has been compromised or completely lost. Before the house can be occupied for any use, these deficiencies must be corrected. The property’s preservation program must be planned and executed with care to minimize changes to or loss of the historic fabric.

Historic Structure Report: L'Hermitage, The Best House

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