ARLINGTON HOUSE Historic Structures Report Voume 1

A. CONSTRUCTION OF ARLINGTON HOUSE, 1802-1818

1. Introduction

Little evidence has been found to document the actual dates of construction or to provide details on the stages of construction of Arlington House. No account books or bills relating to the 1802-04 construction phase have been found. Lee family tradition has maintained that the brick used in the construction of the mansion was manufactured by Custis' slaves on the Arlington estate and that the timber utilized in the building also came from Custis' land and was milled by his slaves at his saw mill. Detailed architectural and archeological investigations of the north wing, and less extensive study of the south wing and center or main house in 1980-81, revealed that inferior building material (soft underfired brick and inadequate timbers) as well as inferior workmanship were used in the construction of the north and south wings. This lends credibility to the Lee family tradition. [1] The lack of construction records can be attributed to the fact that such documents were undoubtedly dispersed or destroyed during the military occupation of the site during the Civil War.

Also Harry Lee, III, and John Sligh, "Historic Structures Report—Architectural Data Section, (Phase II) The Arlington House, George Washington Parkway, Virginia" (typescript, National Park Service, Denver Service Center). The report contains a detailed investigation of the structure of the north wing, and less detailed explorations of the south wing and main house.

2. Construction of the North Wing, 1802

In August 1802 George Washington Parke Custis moved into the existing four-room brick cottage located near the Potomac River on his newly inherited estate. [2] Martha Washington's estate, mainly furnishings, was quickly settled during the summer of 1802 and Custis, her grandson, took possession of his share of the furniture, silver, china, and family portraits. He received her famous iron money chest and books and one-fourth of the bottled wine at Mount Vernon. He also bought heavily when the remaining furnishings and much of the livestock and farm equipment of Mount Vernon were auctioned off in July, 1802 and January 1803.

By bidding recklessly on the relics most closely associated with his deceased guardian, he got many of the most important, such as the General's coach and the tents he had used during the Revolution.... In all, he owed $4,545.00 when the sales ended, a debt which would take him years to pay off.... When he brought his store of relics to "Mount Washington," and crammed them into the four room brick cottage near the river.... he must have been hard pressed to find a little room for himself. [3]

In a letter written to Laura C. Holloway following the Civil War, Mrs. Robert E. Lee (Mary Custis, daughter of G.W.P. Custis) recorded this early history:

My father, then [in 1781] an infant was adopted by Washington, and lived at Mount Vernon until the death of Mrs. Washington [in May 1802] when he came and took possession of the Mount Washington tract inheriting from his father; changed the name to Arlington from an old family seat on the east shore of Virginia, and lived in a small cottage on the Potomac, where, unfortunately, were stored all the treasures he brought from Mount Vernon, and many given by his grandmother and others purchased at sale. Here two very fine pictures were utterly destroyed by damp and rats and others greatly injured. He then built the two wings now at Arlington . . . . [4]

Thus, it appears that he erected the north wing of the future mansion in 1802 to house and preserve the Washington relics. Because he was short of money, he probably used his own slaves and materials and supervised the construction himself.

The detailed architectural and archeological examination of the north wing, completed in 1980-81, revealed new information on how this structure was built and thus altered the previously held theory of its construction that had been in vogue since 1929. The physical evidence that was uncovered indicates that the north wing, as originally constructed in 1802, was probably a two-story brick house without basement, 40 feet 6 inches long by 24 feet deep, and covered with a hipped roof. [5]

Architectural evidence indicates that perhaps a wooden porch, two stories high and roofed, extended across the entire length of the west elevation. Archeological investigation found a brick construction that may have been associated with steps leading to possible the ground level at the north end of the possible porch, but all traces of possible balancing steps at the south end would have been destroyed by the later construction of the main or center house.

There is clear architectural evidence that the original elevations of the floor levels in the north wing differ from those of the present. A ledger wall, only some 25 inches above the present basement floor level, perhaps supported the first floor joists. If this is true, the north wing may have had a crawl space rather than a basement. [6] A second ledger wall is believed to have existed 9 feet above this (and 4 feet above the present first floor) where it would have supported the original second floor. [7]

Archeological investigation in the north wing in 1980 revealed remnant brick foundations of now vanished walls and fireplaces. One 18 inches thick running east-west roughly bisected the wing: A more narrow 13-inch thick brick foundation ran perpendicular from the east-west wall south to the south exterior wall of the house. These remnants indicate that the first floor of Custis' 1802 house was probably divided into three rooms. The largest room, apparently 18 feet 4 inches by 21 feet, occupied the northern half of the wing. The foundations suggest that perhaps it had a large cooking fireplace with a 6 foot 6-inch firebox situated in the center of the east-west partition wall on the south side of the room. The remnants of what may have been a small, warming oven were found adjacent to the west side of the fireplace block. As these remains lay at the ground level of the crawl space of the 1802 house, it is possible that this feature was added during the reduction of the floor level circa 1810. At this time what had been the surface of the crawl space may have become the basement floor. The second largest room, located in the southeast corner of the basement, measured approximately 12 feet by 18 feet 4 inches. This room could have become heated by a fireplace located in the northwest corner of the room, that was back to back with the fireplace heating the large north room. The smallest first-story room, situated in the southwest corner of the present basement, measured approximately 7 feet 10 inches by 18 feet 4 inches. [8]

Architectural evidence indicates that the walls of the north and southeast rooms of the first story were decorated in dark red paint on rough plaster. The walls of the southwest room were covered with a very hard and rough gray plaster and the paint colors, if any, for this room are unknown (See Plan No. 1). [9]] As aforementioned, all the first and second story rooms had 9 foot high ceilings.

Because of later extensive remodelling, less is known about the room plan and decoration of the second floor of the north wing in 1802. It appears probable, however, from surviving physical evidence that the east-west wall marked by the foundation in the basement could have divided the second floor into two equal sized rooms, each measuring approximately 18 feet 4 inches by 21 feet. These rooms could have been and heated by back-to-back fireplaces if the fireplaces were located in the east-west dividing wall. If the south room of the two was again partitioned on the second floor above the east-west cellar foundation all evidence of this partition has been lost. The north room had a chair rail with a cream-and-green stylized wallpaper above the rail. Evidence regarding the decoration below the rail has been lost.

The room to the south appears to have had no chair rail and was papered with red and cream leaf patterned wall paper. This paper, however, may have been a second decorative scheme, as a dark colored plaster and plaster patches appear to be beneath it in some places. (See Plan No. 2). [10]

The north wing at this time is believed to have had a center chimney to serve the four main fireplaces and possibly a smaller chimney located in the center of the west wall to service a corner fireplace in a possible southwest second story room.

Concerning the roof of the north wing, Arnest wrote: "On close examination, it was found that the roof structure was not well-engineered, even from the standpoint of common building sense, from its inception. Virtually all structural members—ceiling joists and rafters—were—undersized for their load requirements." [11]

This physical evidence from the roof and the poor quality of the brick and mortar used supports the theory that Custis and his slaves probably built the north wing. The physical evidence also indicates that Custis probably did not have a complete architectural plan for the future Arlington House in hand when he began the construction of the north wing. The two-story brick house erected in 1802 required major remodelling in order to have it match the later constructed south wing. Heavily in debt in 1802, Custis might not have constructed the north wing as he did had he had the final architectural plan in hand at that time. [12]

3. Construction of the South Wing, 1803-04

Construction on the south wing got underway in 1803. On April 13, 1804, Cornelia Lee wrote to Mrs. Richard Bland Lee: "The House will be a very handsome building when completed. The room we were in was 24 feet Square & 18 high." [13] While her measurements were only approximate, they suggest that she might have been standing in Mrs. R. E. Lee's morning room (room 115), the north room on the first floor of the new south wing. (Actual measurements of room 115 are 21 by 24 feet with 14 foot high ceilings.) [14]

The south wing was a one-story over elevated basement structure with a hip roof, it was three bays wide (on the east elevation) or 40 feet 1 inch long and 24 feet deep. Three of the walls, the east, south, and west, were constructed of inferior soft or underfired brick, while a temporary wall, probably composed of wood, enclosed the north side. [15] Perhaps a two-story wooden porch with roof extended across the entire west elevation of the south wing. The first story of the wing was one-bay wide on the south and probably also on the north end; two doors, one located in the west wall near the southwest corner and the other in the same wall near the northwest corner, may have opened out on a west porch. A chimney situated in the west wall between the two doors served two fireplaces, one located in the cellar and the other on the first floor (Rooms B10 and 115). A flue hole for a stove is located in the northwest corner of the office and study (room 117) on the first floor. (See Plans Nos. 3 and 4).

Round arched windows in the south wing were recessed within round arched openings. Inside, the house had three rooms. The cellar was a single large room (room B10) approximately 26 feet 6-1/2 inches by 21 feet in size. It was floored with brick, and perhaps heated by a fireplace that was centered in the west wall. The south end of the basement, an area of about 10 feet 11 inches by 21 feet, was walled off and not excavated (See Plan No. 3). The first floor was made up of two rooms: the large north room, measuring 24 feet 8-3/4 inches by 21 feet (Mrs. R. E. Lee's morning room) and heated by a fireplace located in the west wall; and the south room, the office and study measuring approximately 11 feet 1 inch by 21 feet in size and apparently heated by a stove. The stove was served by a flue hole cut in the northwest corner of that room (See Plan No. 4). Both Mrs. R. E. Lee's morning room and the office and study had 14 foot high ceilings.

Limited architectural and archeological investigation of the south wing in 1980-81 revealed that the south wing probably underwent relatively few major changes since its completion in 1804. [16] The lack of major changes and the existence of the temporary north wall confirm the idea that George Washington Parke Custis probably had an architectural plan in hand when he erected the south wing. The construction dates for the two wings, the north wing 1802, and the south wing 1803-04—suggest that Custis probably secured his architectural plan in 1803, just before he began work on the south wing.

Architectural examination of the south wing revealed improved workmanship. Architect Arnest has written:

"It was also noticed that the structure of the south wing roof differed substantially from that of the north wing, having a more reasoned structural system. By the use of two king post trusses at the hip apices, the south wing had been provided with a much stronger structure, and one that would have been more typically used by a designer trained in the architectural profession." [17]]

The continued use of inferior brick and mortar, however, suggests that Custis continued to use his own slaves to provide the building materials and to erect the structure. This was probably done to reduce the cost of construction.

In further support of the probability that Custis had an architectural plan that he was following in the erection of the south wing, it should be noted that the artist William Birch visited Custis at Arlington, probably in September 1805, saw the proposed plan for the entire mansion, and recorded in his undated journal, "he had built the two wings of his capital house [which?] with the hill they stood upon was an ornament of every elegant situation within the City of Washington." [18] Unfortunately, Birch failed to note the name of the architect who prepared Custis' plan.

When the south wing was finished in 1804, Custis probably had two unsymmetrical houses with a possible total of eight rooms: the brick north wing may still have been two stories with possibly five rooms and the south wing was probably one story with three rooms over an elevated cellar (See Plan No. 5).

On July 7, 1804 Custis married Mary Lee Fitzhugh and brought his bride to live in his new house. By December 11, 1804, Custis had changed the name of his estate from "Mount Washington" to "Arlington House." [19]

4. Remodelling of the North Wing, ca. 1810-11

The task of remodelling the north wing so that its exterior would resemble that of the south wing was a major undertaking. It is not known when this work was accomplished. Architectural and archeological investigations in 1980-81, however, reveal that the remodelling of the north wing probably took place prior to the construction of the center or main house.

As aforementioned, has been noted previously, by January 1803 Custis owed $4,545 for items he had purchased from the Washington estate. This, together with the expense incurred in the construction of the two wings, probably delayed the remodelling for some time.

Custis owed considerable sums of money that were due in July 1805. [20] He was still short of money in 1807, [21] and with the prices of staple crops dropping in 1808, he again had no funds. On March 27, 1808, Custis wrote to a creditor; "I can assure you that I have been often in want of a single dollar, and with my large property have no available funds but such as are derived from the produce of my Estate. I need not say how and in what price that produce is at present. . . . My health is not good and my spirits very bad." [22] In debt and unable to meet the payments, it is not likely that Custis remodelled the north wing between 1804 and 1809. In 1811, however, his financial situation changed for the better when he received $3,000 in cash for the sale of the right of way across his Arlington plantation for construction of a toll road from Georgetown to Alexandria. [23]

It is suggested therefore that perhaps the remodelling of the north wing may have taken place in 1810-11. The only documentary evidence that might support this theory, however, is a letter that was published in the National Intelligencer on May 7, 1811. In this letter a gentleman wrote, "I was struck on entering the grounds of Mr. Custis, at Arlington, on the bank of the Potomac opposite the city of Washington, with several of the most picturesque views. This seat is on a superb mount, and his buildings are begun in a stile [sic] of superior taste and elegance." This reference to the buildings might have been less than accurate if the exterior of the north wing had been remodelled to match the south wing.

In the extensive remodelling of the north wing it was changed to a one-story over elevated cellar structure in order to resemble the south wing. The north wing hip roof was rebuilt. Architect Arnest noted, ". . .the rafter rafters once had been unseated from their bearing plates and raised. This action was not necessary during the change of the roof from one with splayed eaves to one with a single angle of pitch from the ridge of the fascia." [24]

Existing windows in the north wing may have had to be widened and adjusted to the new interior floor levels, which were 5 feet lower than the original plan. Tops of original windows were probably bricked up and arched at the top and the lower portions cut out to achieve the proper height. [25]

Inside, the original floor plans of the first and second floor could have been retained, but the floor levels of both stories were lowered. (See Plans No. 1 and 2).

On the new first story, the floor level was probably changed by moving the second floor joists down 5 feet. The original ledger wall system of joist support was abandoned and the new joists were all set in pockets cut in the east and west brick bearing walls. The east end of the east-west bisecting wall was probably removed so that the new center window could be cut into the exterior wall. The presumed back-to back fireplaces, now 5 feet above the floor level, had to be rebuilt and cut down to the new level.

The architectural investigation of 1980-81 uncovered the following room finishes. Both the projected north and south rooms were provided with chair rails, and the north room may have been decorated with greenish blue trim. A simulated wood-grain wallpaper decorated the portion of the wall below the chair rail scar south of the east-west bisecting wall on west wall of the masonry mass at the present floor level. [26]

It should be noted that because of the War of 1812 and the British blockade, Custis was again out of money by 1813. On June 14, 1813, he wrote to an Alexandria merchant; "My resources are so completely cut off that I am obliged to buy the very small family necessities." [27]

On October 1, 1808, Custis's daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, the future wife of Robert E. Lee, was born. In a letter written to Laura C. Holloway following the Civil War, Mrs. Lee described the family history of this period as follows:

He [her father] then built the two wings now at Arlington; married in Alexandria [in 1804], and brought his bride (who was only sixteen) there, and we lived in them [the two wings] many years. I can just remember when the middle house was built [1817-18], but do not recollect the date. It was never completed till a few years [in 1855] before the [Civil] war, as my father was so oppressed by the necessity of maintaining a large body of slaves who made nothing, that the means were not at hand to finish it. [28]

5. Construction of the Main or Center House, 1817-18

Documentary evidence reveals that Custis employed a professional builder, Cornelius McLean, probably from New York City, to supervise the erection of the main or center house. [29] The evidence also indicates that construction must have begun in 1817 and that, as usual, Custis did not have enough money to cover both construction and operating expenses. Thus on April 8, 1818, Custis, unable to pay bills with his druggist, was forced to write: "not being able to command cash at this time from the heavy expense of my building, I enclose my note. . ." [30] That the construction may have been in 1817 is further documented by the receipt that master builder Cornelius McLean signed for Custis on April 18, 1818, which read, "200. Received of Mr. Custis Two Hundred dollars on account of his building being Fifteen Hundred & Fifty Dollars in cash up to this date 18th April 1818." [31]

The lack of funds apparently forced Custis to economize wherever possible in the construction of his grandiose mansion: inferior underfired bricks were used in the walls and foundations; the great Doric columns on the portico were not fluted; the west (rear) elevation of the house was not stuccoed as were the other three facades; and the great white parlor (room 112) was left with unplastered brick walls and lath showing for 38 years.

Construction on the mansion continued into the summer of 1818. On June 10, 1818, the Alexandria Gazette reported, "Arlington House, the seat of Mr. Custis. . . was struck by lightning during the storm on Saturday morning. The lightning entered the roof and passed down by a temporary wooden pier, erected to support the unfinished part of the portico, but fortunately without any injury to the building or family, who were at breakfast at the time." [32]

The plasterers were at work in August and on the 22nd, 1818, Custis received a receipt which read: "Received of George W. P. Custis, Esq., eighteen dollars which with the other sums before received is in full of wages for plastering at Arlington House & of all demands." [33]

David Meade Randolph of Richmond, Virginia, had invented a new hard stucco cement, which he called "hydraulic cement". This was made by burning fossil shells obtained from a deposit near Yorktown, Virginia. This stucco became harder when exposed to water. [34] Randolph induced Custis to apply this "hydraulic cement" to the exterior of the east, north, and south elevations of the new center house and the old north and south wings. Of the first test, David Meade Randolph reported in a newspaper advertisement in 1818, ". . . One other experiment was made on the northwest [exterior] corner of Arlington House, the seat of G. W. P. Custis, Esq., in the District of Columbia, just before sunset on Saturday, 19th day of December 1817." A cement stucco was successfully applied to the exterior at the northwest corner. [35]

The new center house was a two-story over full basement brick structure, approximately 59 feet wide and 40 feet 6 inches deep, and covered with a gable roof with wood shingles. A pair of large brick chimneys rose from both the east and west sides of the gable roof. A great pedimented portico with eight unfluted Doric columns adorned the east or front elevation of the center building. The steps of this impressive portico, however, were of wood, probably because Custis did not have the money to build in stone.

Inside, on the first floor, the house had a center hall plan. The main hall extended through the mansion from front to rear: on the left (south) was the great unfinished parlor (room 112) and a stairhall (room 113). On the right (north) of the hall were three rooms: a parlor (room 108), a dining room (room 109), and the north stair hall (room 110) (See Plan No. 7).

The second floor, when completed apparently had a total of eight rooms: Two chambers were located on each side of the center hall, each with an attached dressing room.

The attic of the main house was unfinished. The roof system of the center house was adequate to support the weight of the original cedar shake roof, but the structure was not designed to support the much greater weight of the slate roof that would later be installed in 1858. [36] The hip roofs of the north and south wings were replaced with gable roofs and illustrations nos. 1 and 2 indicate that parapets were used to adorn the roofs of the two wings in 1818.

Physical evidence uncovered in the 1980-81 architectural and archeological limited investigations of the mansion led Architect Arnest to believe that during the 1818 construction few changes were made to the original floor plan of the south wing, but extensive alterations were made to the floor plans of the north wing. Arnest felt that floor plan of the north wing was changed to the floorplan that now exists in Arlington House. His theory of how this was achieved follows.

These changes involved the removal of the east-west brick bisecting wall (Compare Plans Nos. 1 and 2 with Plan No. 7). A new fireplace block was presumed to have been constructed to the north of the 1802 center fireplace and chimney. The new fireplaces served the school and sewing room and the Custis chamber on the first floor. The two north and south rooms presumed to have occupied the first floor were believed to have been subdivided into four smaller spaces in 1818, the school and sewing room, the Custis chamber and the Custis guest chamber, which were located on the east side of the wing and opened into the inner hall (north wing), a new hall that extended along most of the west side of the north wing. Perhaps at this time a new door opening was cut in the south wall of the north wing to permit access from the inner hall (north wing) to the new family parlor located in the constructed main block. [37] The original center chimney was also demolished and a new one erected to serve the new and relocated fireplace block.

In the cellar, which is believed to have had three rooms in the 1802 plan, the north-south partition wall (see plan no. 1) was removed and the number of rooms reduced to two. The new south room, the wine cellar, measured 12 feet 11-1/2 inches by 21 feet and the new north room, the winter kitchen, 24 feet 4 inches by 21 feet. The winter kitchen contained a central chimney block. The 1802 east-west brick partition wall and its possible back-to-back fireplaces were demolished in the work believed to have been done in 1818. (see plan no. 9).

With the addition of the main house travelers began to take notice of the impressive mansion. One of the first to observe the construction of the main house in May 1818 called it "Custis' Folly." [38] A. Levasseur, who visited Arlington House with Lafayette in December 1824, reported, "His [Custis's] house, [was] built according to reduced plans of the temple of Thesus. . ." [39]

In his Historical Sketches of the Ten Mile Square, published in 1830, Jonathan Elliot described Arlington House. He noted:

The mansion house consists of the centre building of 60 feet front and two wings of 40 each, making a prescriptive front of 140 feet. The centre has a portico of 60 feet by 25, a pediment supported by eight massive columns, six in front. This noble portico was designed from a drawing of the Temple of Poaestun, near Naples, the columns are five feet in diameter at their base, gradually declining to the capitals, which are of the ancient Doric order; the columns, 26 feet in height, are built of brick, covered with stucco resembling freestone and like the pediment marked off in blocks. This stucco resists the frost and forms an impenetrable cement. [40]

Mrs. Francis M. Trollope, an English woman generally critical of all things American, apparently saw Arlington House from a distance in 1830-31. In 1832 she wrote, "It is a noble looking place, having a portico of stately white columns, which as the mansion stands high, with a background of dark woods, forms a beautiful object in the landscape." [41]

The London barrister, Godfrey T. Vigne, who visited about 1830 and published a book in 1832, was also impressed by Arlington House until he examined it closely. Of this experience he wrote:

. . . . Arlington, the seat of George Washington P. Custis, Esq., occupied the most conspicuous and commanding situate, on the south bank of the Potomac. It is visible for many miles, and in the distance has the appearance of a superior English country residence, beyond any I had seen in the States; but as I came close to it, as usual, I was wofully [sic] disappointed. . . [42]

Custis' many economies in constructing Arlington House were apparently quite visible when viewed from close at hand.

6. Construction and Enclosure of the Loggias on the North and South Wings

Physical evidence uncovered during the 1980-81 examination of the north and south wings indicates that brick loggias which extend along the west elevations of the two wings were erected either before or after the main house was completed but were not constructed at the same time. Architect Harry Lee Arnest, III, has written:

The North Wing loggia does not bond with either the brick walls of the North Wing or the Main Block, and may have been built before or after the completion of the main block . . . They existed in their purest classical state during the years following their construction ca. 1820 as open arcades . . . . they could serve as weather-proof connectors . . . to living areas in the wings of the principal house. . . Once the loggie were enclosed (see Rooms 101, 102, and 103 - North Wing and Rooms 114 and 116 South Wing, Plan 8), however, it was still necessary to add additional rooms to the house in the form of the small North [Room A] and South [Room B] connecting flankers, thereby permitting one to pass directly from the Main Block Stair Halls [Rooms 110 and 113] into each loggia, and providing an alternate route in each case for one to enter each wing. It is not known at what date the loggie were enclosed, but it can be assumed that they remained open at least for a few years after their construction. [43]

No definitive additional documentary evidence has been found that helps date the construction and enclosing of the loggias. The early 1824 and 1830 sketches of the mansion do not show the west or rear elevation of the house. The Lossing sketch of 1853 shows the south loggia enclosed. Also the Russell photographs of June 1864 show the south loggia enclosed and covered entrances into the enclosure of the north loggia. The description of the house found in "Childhood Days at Arlington Mixed With After Memories" by Elizabeth Gibbon Randolph Calvert indicates the loggias had been closed by the time of her visit (c. 1845).

7. George Hadfield, Architect of Arlington House?

George Hadfield was born c. 1764 in Leghorn, Italy, the son of Charles Hadfield, a hotel keeper of English or Irish origin. He studied in the schools of the Royal Academy and received a gold medal in 1784. After working for a time under the architect James Wyatt, he received the traveling scholarship of the academy and spent the years to 1794 in Rome. His drawings of the temple at Palestrina and other drawings were exhibited at the academy in 1795 and are preserved by the Royal Institute of British Architects. In that year, on recommendation of the American painter John Trumbull, Hadfield was invited by the commissioners of the city of Washington to act as superintendent of the Capitol, then under construction. He commenced his duties on October 15, 1795, and was dismissed on May 28, 1798, because of differences with the commission. [44]

In 1798 he furnished the design for Treasury and Executive Offices in Washington, D.C. (burned by the British in 1814). During the next several decades he designed other Washington buildings: in 1802, the Washington county jail; in 1803, the arsenal; in 1816-19, Commodore Porter's house; in 1820, the city hall (finished 1849 and refaced with stone in 1917); in 1822, the assembly rooms; and in 1824, the Branch Bank of the United States (demolished in 1904.) Two other notable works of his architectural planning were the Van Ness mausoleum in Oak Hill Cemetery, based on the model of a temple of Vesta, and Arlington House, the home Custis. Hadfield died on February 5, 1826. [45]

George Hadfield's authorship of the architectural plan for Arlington House is based on three sources of documentary evidence.

(A) The obituary of George Hadfield that appeared in the National Intelligencer on February 13, 1826, attributed the design of Arlington House to George Hadfield. [46] The fact that George Washington Parke Custis, an avid newspaper reader and inveterate letter-to-the-editor writer, made no effort to correct such statements strongly suggests that Hadfield was the author of the plan.

The physical evidence uncovered in the 1980-81 architectural and archeological investigations of Arlington House supports the previously held belief that Custis was following an architectural plan and had it in hand by 1803-04 when he erected the south wing, but that he probably did not have such a plan when he constructed the north wing in 1802.

(B) William Dunlap, in his History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts of Design in the United States (first published in 1834) credited George Hadfield with the design of Arlington House. He stated:

The north wing of the Capitol was chiefly built by Mr. George Hadfield. He was a man of uncommon talents and was selected by Col. Trumbull in London, under the authority of the commission for laying out the city, to superintend the building of the Capitol. But, unfortunately, a dispute arose between him and them, which ended in his leaving the public employment, by which we were deprived of his eminent talents. He gave the plan of the Public Offices, the City Hall, Custis's Mansion, Commodore Porter's, Gadsby's Hotel, the U.S. Bank, Van Ness Mausoleum. He died in 1826. [47]

(C) The architectural historian Fiske Kimball, in his architectural history entitled The Domestic Architecture of the American Colonies and of the Early Republic published in 1922, considered the problem of the very early introduction of the Greek Revival style at Arlington House, which was then reputed to have been completed in its entirety in 1802. In his notes for the book, Kimball wrote, "Although George W.P. Custis may have erected some building on the Arlington Estate as early as 1802, the mansion as it stands today was built much later." Kimball then quoted Mrs. Robert E. Lee as published in Laura C. Holloway, Ladies of the White House, (I, 58-60; 1886 edition), "The middle house must have been occupied by 1820 at the latest. The portico was doubtless the last exterior element to be finished, although it was apparently complete in 1830 when it was described by Jonathan Elliot in his 'Historical Sketches of . . . the District of Columbia.', pp. 290-291 and drawn by him for Washington Guide of that year." Kimball continued, "The central portico at Arlington House is pretty generally conceded to be the work of George Hadfield, who built the north wing of the Capital." [48]

The Hadfield architectural plan apparently is no longer extant. It is highly unlikely that either this plan or any other early plan of the house passed from the hands of the Custis-Lee families to those of the United States Government when the military occupied Arlington House in May 1861. On January 13, 1913, the Quartermaster General, U.S. Army, informed the depot quartermaster, Washington Depot, who was responsible for the maintenance of Arlington House, "It seems no plans of the mansion at Arlington National Cemetery have ever been prepared by this Department [that is, elevations and cross sections] . . . ." [49]

(D) Completed plan for Mansion viewed by Birch on his visit to Arlington when only wings were completed c. 1805 (Birch Journal). [50]

B. REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT OF ARLINGTON HOUSE BY THE CUSTIS-LEE FAMILIES, 1837-61

1. Bath and Water Closet (Rooms 102 and 103) in North Wing, 1837

It is possible that a water closet and bath tub were installed in rooms 102 and 103 on the first floor of the north wing (see plan no. 8) during the summer of 1837 if the loggias were enclosed by this time. On July 12, 1837, Robert E. Lee wrote to his wife in regard to this project:

Tell Mother [Mrs. G.W.P. Custis] I was going to day [in Baltimore] to see about her pipes, but on further consideration, I thought she would not be able to compass the matter unless I was there, as they would have to be laid with care, and the joints in Lead, and that she might go to some expense, and this not answer after all. So I thought she had better give it up for the present. [51]

2. Brick Floor and New Wooden Steps, East Portico, 1851

Farm prices were high in 1850 and Custis' plantation "Romancock" produced profitable crops that year. On April 3, 1851, Custis wrote to his overseer of the plantation, F. Nelson, "Any funds that can be spared I shall be glad to receive, as the season has arrived when I make my purchases of Guano, clover seed & Plaister of Pairis, for altho' I began many years too late (to my shame, I acknowledge it) to improve this (Arlington) Estate, I am making great changes and improvements in it now." [52]

Family letters indicate that Custis did make improvements on the Arlington plantation during 1851. In an undated letter written about October 1, 1851, Mrs. Robert E. Lee informed her son George Washington Custis Lee:

Your Grandfather is seized with a spirit of improvement lately - he is making new steps to the Portico (the old [wooden] ones having so decayed as to be unsafe) and intends paving it with octogan brick tiles which are now being burned in one of the vast brick kilns in Washington - then he is going to put a new roof on the stable which is more needful than the other, though all are most desirable. . . You will hardly know the old place when you get back. [53]

Mrs. G. W. P. Custis also reported to her grandson, G.W.C. Lee on this progress, writing on December 5, 1851, she observed, "The portico steps are finished at last, and Charles and Austin are engaged in preparing the floor for the Pavers who are to lay the tiles as soon as your Grandfather can haul them from Washington." [54]

These efforts appear to have been the last major repairs and improvements that George Washington Parke Custis made to Arlington House prior to his death on October 10, 1857 at the age of 76.

In March 1853, the noted historian Benson J. Lossing visited G.W.P. Custis at Arlington House to study the famous collection of Washington relics. Of the house, Lossing wrote:

The mansion, delineated in the frontispiece occupied a very commanding site upon the brow of an elevation more than 300 feet above the tidewater of the Potomac, and half a mile from its shore. The building is of brick, and presents a front, with the centre and two wings, of 140 feet. The grand portico, which has eight massive Doric columns, is 60 feet in front and 25 feet in depth. It is modeled after the Temple of Theseus at Athens. In front, sloping towards the Potomac, is a fine park of 200 acres, dotted with groves of oak and chestnut and clumps of evergreen and behind it is an dark old forest . . . and covering 600 acres of hill and dale. While there is much to admire in the external beauties of Arlington, the chief attractions are the pictures within, and the precious relics of the great patriot which are preserved there. . . [55]

Lossing's drawing indicates that the roofs of the north and south wings were still crowned with wooden balustrades in 1853.

3. The Improvement of the Mansion by the Robert E. Lee Family, 1855

In April 1855 Colonel and Mrs. Robert E. Lee decided to use their own money to make major improvements to Arlington House. These projects involved finishing the large unfinished room (room 112) on the south side of the main hall on the first floor as a drawing room or parlor, and installation of a coal burning hot air furnace in the basement under the center house. Other rooms were also apparently redecorated as indicated by extant Lee manuscript materials. On May 20, 1855, Agnes Lee wrote in her journal, "We are very busy all the time now cleaning, fixing, working hard to renovate our dear old home." [56] Her brother, Custis Lee, stationed in Florida, received glowing accounts of the work in progress. On May 27, 1855, he wrote to his mother, "I am glad to hear you are renovating old Arlington. By the time I see it again it will be so grand I shall hardly known [sic] it." [57]

Colonel Lee returned home for a week's visit in June 1855 before leaving for his new post at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, and was thus able to see the renovations then underway. [58] He also ordered the furnace and three marble mantels, as well as taking care of the brickwork and plastering that was to be done. [59] Mrs. Lee kept him informed on the progress of the work, while he advised her as to how it might be done most economically.

Lee ordered three marble Victorian-styled mantels from the S. Young Company of New York City for $105.00. Two of the new mantels, of identical size and design, were installed on the two fireplaces in the new parlor (room 112). The third, of the same size but without any carving, was also put in place in the adjoining room (room 115), replacing an earlier deteriorated wooden mantel (see plan nos. 10 to 13). [60]

On July 9, 1855, Colonel Lee advised his wife on how to have the white parlor (room 112) finished. He wrote:

As regard the painting of the large room, white is the simplest & cheapest colour, & I think with stained doors will look very well. If well grained in imitation of oak or walnut (the latter I prefer) it will look richer, though darker, & the room you know wants light. You had better consult your father, though I think on the whole white will be best. [61]

On July 23, 1855, he sent his wife a check in the amount of $240.00 "to pay for finishing large room at Arlington." [62]

Work was also underway by the end of June 1855 on installing the brick hot air furnace in the basement under the center house. On July 9, 1855, Lee complained to his wife:

. . . I do not understand how the walls in the Hall [Room 111-the Center Hall] could have been so broken, as to require being plastered all over! They could only have opened the strip for the air pipe in the Hall, & that they should have restored. They could not give the new the exact color of the old plastering, & the whole may have to be Coloured, but not plastered, unless you wish it hard finished, as it is called, which it is not now. . . [63]

On August 20, 1855, Lee sent Mrs. Lee a check on the "Bank of Commerce, N.Y. to order of Collin & Co. in payment of furnace for Arlington for $200.00" [64] and also informed her that he was glad to hear that she was having "the book cases repaired" (see plan no. 14). [65]

With regard to furnishings of the white parlor, Lee informed his wife that he thought that the old harpsichord would be out of place. The organ, too, would have to come out of the center hall to make way for the hall table they had brought back from their quarters' at the military academy. Mrs. Lee could have a pair of chairs made similar to their other ones, and these with a lounge and table would be sufficient for the center hall. "I wish indeed I could be there to help you, but it is impossible," he wrote. "You must have everything nice and comfortable for your father and friends, and I will enjoy it through you." [66]

Lee's attitude about these improvements is reflected in a letter to Mrs. Lee on July 9, 1855. He observed:

You must not think I desire the house to be repaired from any expectation of enjoying it. It is not with that view I do anything farther than incidentally. But I think it right to improve everything for which we are responsible, as far as necessary for its object, & within our means, & leave the enjoyment to the great disposer of events. In this particular instance, it is for the sake of her who is gone (Mrs. G.W.P. Custis), & of those who remain, that I wish the place dear to their affections to be properly preserved, & not either to suffer from, or exhibit neglect. And I wish it out of respect for their memory & feelings. Life as you say hangs by an uncertain tenure; but that ought rather to stimulate us to execution, then to relaxation, that we may fulfill our duties, & the work set before us before we go hence. It matters not who is befitted by our labours, so our part is due. May God grant it be well done, & that we may earn the title of faithful Servants. [67]

The work of improving Arlington House was apparently completed by August 1855. The new south parlor (room 112) was apparently furnished with contemporary modern (Victorian) furniture that Lees had acquired to furnish their quarters at West Point, New York.

George Washington Parke Custis insisted on paying his daughter and her husband for the 1855 improvements and Colonel Lee was unhappy to learn of this development. On October 31, 1856, Lee wrote to his wife, "It was not right he should pay for matters which he neither desired or required." [68]

4. Remodelling the Two East Dressing Rooms, 1857

In fall of 1857, the two dressing rooms (room 205) between the boys chamber and Mary and Markie's chamber at the east end of the second floor hall were separated by a partition wall. On October 2, 1857, Mrs. Robert E. Lee informed her husband:

The stable being pronounced unsafe we have a carpenter here putting on a new roof & I took the opportunity with Father's sanction to have the partition taken down between the two front dressing rooms [room 205] & leaving the door that opens into Markie's room [room 204] as we are much in want of another room, but indeed the poor old place looks very ruinous. . . [69]

Mrs. Lee in this way created the small chamber with a door to the upper hall and Mary and Markie's chamber and closing the door to the Lee boys chamber.

5. Robert E. Lee Makes Further Improvements, 1858-1859:

George Washington Parke Custis died on October 10, 1857 and on October 14, the Washington Evening Star reported that the funeral of Custis was held "in the large parlor [room 112] of the Mansion." Under the terms of his will, title to Arlington House and Plantation passed to his daughter Mary (Mrs. Robert E. Lee).

In order to act as executor of the Custis estate and manage and improve his wife's property, Colonel Lee took an extended leave from the army and spent most of 1858 and 1859 at Arlington. [70]

On August 1, 1858, the colonel informed his son Rooney, "I am getting along as usual—trying to get a little work done & to wind up some things. . ." [71] Two months later, on October 2, 1858, Agnes Lee advised her brother Rooney, "Papa is very busy with the workmen, mending and building all of the time. The stable is beginning to approach completion and will be very handsome I think. He is repairing the sheds to both wings and rebuilding the 'planks' of brick . . ." [72] On November 27, 1858, Lee himself reported to Rooney:

I have not advanced as far as I had hoped in the repairs of the Establishment in consequence of the sickness of my principal carpenter, who besides an attack of six weeks in the summer, has now been absent two months. The stable, however, is covered in and comfortable and the house tightened up. Both wings [of Arlington House] have been recovered and some other additions. The foundations (?) of the barn is complete but I shall not be able to get up the superstructure. I have been retained here in the endeavor to finish matters. . . [73]

Lee continued to make improvements at Arlington during 1859 and also started work at some of the other Custis farms.

On the morning of October 17, 1859, Robert E. Lee signed an application for insurance on Arlington House and the new barn with the Hartford Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The application reveals that during 1858 he had slated the roof of the main house and covered the roofs of both wings with gravel roofs. It would also appear that the wooden parapets which had adorned the roofs of the north and south wings since 1818 were removed during the 1858 work. The parapets are missing from the photographs of the house that were taken during the Civil War.

This important document (see accompanying map in plan no. 15) provides considerable information on the house and barn. Relevant portions of the document read:

Extracts from Application of R. E. Lee, U.S.A. for insurance against loss or damage by fire by the HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, in the sum of Five Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars on the property specified: the value of the property being estimated by the Applicant:

The Applicant will answer the following questions, and sign the same, as a description of the premises on which the insurance will be predicated.

1. Building
Dwelling of Brick, main building two stories high, and wings one story. In Alexa. Co., Va. built about the year 1820. All occupied by Applicant.

The Barn is of brick, one story high, with a stone basement.

2. Wall
The division walls are of brick.

3. Roof
The main building of the Mansion House is covered with slate and the wings with gravel.

The Barn is covered with gravel.

The gutters are metal.

There is not a scuttle in the roof of the dwelling.

The Barn has a Cupola from which access to the roof is easy.

4. Stoves
Stoves and warming apparatus well secured.

5. Pipes
Pipes enter chimney. Chimnies built from the ground. No wood partitions.

6. Fuel
Wood & Coal are used for fuel. Ashes are put out at a safe distance.

7. Material for lighting
Burning fluids, or candles, or Kerosene Oil, or Gas are permitted.

8. Use of building
Dwelling House - One tenant.

9. Distance and materials of other buildings within 100 feet of the one to be insured

A one story brick Kitchen & a one-story brick Store House, both covered with wood.

The one standing west of the dwelling on a line with the north line thereof, & the other on a line with the south line thereof, both distant 44 feet.

Barn has a cattle shed about 40 feet south east, and a waggon shed about 100 feet South, otherwise detached.

10. Other insurance on the property $5,000 by the "Home" Ins. Co. No other insurance within 100 feet. No other insurance on Barn.

11. Is the Property mortgaged? Property unmortgaged.

13. Lightning rod
Barn has a lightning rod. Dwelling House has not. New plan. (Copy of this policy application is on file in the park museum office)

It should be noted that Colonel Lee was forced to make his 1858-59 improvements with very limited amounts of money. Custis had died owing considerable sums. The panic of 1857 also caused a decline in agricultural prices and because money was scarce, merchants wanted everything that was owed them. "Debts are pouring in on me," Lee confided to his son Custis in early 1858, "not in large amounts, but sufficient to absorb my available funds. So far I have paid all that have been presented by tradesmen & merchants." He estimated that these amounted to some $10,000. [74]

In the spring of 1861 Lee left Arlington House for the last time. He departed on April 22 to take command of the Virginia armed forces. Mrs. Lee left on May 15, 1861, having secured or removed much of the furnishings as possible and sent much with family members. [75] The family portraits were taken from their frames, and, with the plate and the most valuable Washington relics, sent off for safekeeping. Curtains and carpets were packed away in the attic, books and engravings put in closets, and the china stored in barrels in the basement. Most of the furniture had to be left behind.

6. Contemporary Evidence on the Use of the Rooms, 1845-61

a. Extracts from "Childhood Days at Arlington Mixed with After Memories," by Elizabeth Gibbon Randolph Calvert, ca. 1875

Elizabeth Gibbon Randolph Calvert (1833-1911) was a granddaughter of Mary Randolph and a cousin of Mrs. Robert E. Lee. The original document, which is not dated, is believed to have been written about 1875 and appears to describe conditions in Arlington House about 1845. [76] Calvert observed, "The path has brought us to the top of the hill where the grand old house with its wings & arched windows, its portico supported by huge pillars;. . . . lay before us, all bathed in the sunlight. . . ."

The next morning, Calvert and her sister entered the family parlor (room 108) and attended prayer services with the Custis family. She noted:

[Room 108]
The period between prayers & breakfast is not long & is spent in contemplation of the room & its belongings, first of which is its air of comfort & elegance. The high ceiling, the white walls on which many pictures hang; the large windows opening on the portico between whose great pillars comes the sunlight, but not its shine: between these windows is a large lounge with three pillows arranged against the wall, covered with bright colored chintz. On either side of the fireplace with its bright brass fender, its andirons now hold up sprays of asparagus, its carved marble mantel, are two chairs, large and square, having a back on two sides meeting at an angle; these are covered like the lounge. The one of the right with its back to the window is exclusively the seat of Mr. C. & his cat. . . .

Against the wall, between the entrance door & the angle of the window-wall, is a secretary always open, offering its hospitality of pen and ink to all, and at which both Mr. & Mrs. Custis do most of their letter writing. A round table is in the center of the room, & is the center of many a lamp-lit picture of Mrs. C. and her guests seated around it engaged in various feminine works [such as sewing]. . . . Other items of furniture & ornament are seen lending an air of comfort & beauty.

[Room 109]
The family dining room is divided from this one [room 108] by three arches, that reach half way to the ceiling and have the spring of each arch filled in with glass set in radial planes. This room has no immediate connection with the outer world; its doors open, one on the main hall [room 111]—which is crossed at the back of a passage [rooms 110 and 113] like the top of a T that accomodates other door from the dining room opening toward the kitchen [to west into room 110—Kitchen in north outbuilding to west]. Over both doors are arches of glass; the diminished light then comes to the dining room is supplemented by the whitest of tableclothes & napkins, white china, until it is toned up to the most charming light in which to partake of the necessities of life . . . .

[Second Floor]
After breakfast, "We [the children] run wild over the house, garden & woods. Up stairs into all the large rooms - each one grand and bright, though not furnished with elegance. This one [Lee Girls' chamber] in which is the bed on which General Washington died attracts us, we gather around it. It is large and square, not heavily made, with a low frame, high slim mahogany fluted posts with tester frame at the top; on the bedstead are the feather bed and mattress—from which I have more than once taken a feather & a hair. . . .

[Center Hall (Room 111)]
It [the center hall] is lofty, spacious, and many pictures hang upon its walls. The space above the front [east] door is occupied by a copy of Guido's Aurora. Over the back [west] door and the arches that open the passage to the stairs [rooms 110 and 113], are deers horns. Chairs and a thin legged table near the front [east] door; a roomy lounge & opposite this a musical instrument are the furniture. This instrument, whether called piano or organ, has reached such a stage of delapidation that we are allowed to do as we will with it; to run at random over its yellow, loose & rattling keys. . . The lower two thirds of the instrument is shut in by green silk box plaited on frames. Inside are square wooden pipes of various sizes. These can be taken out . . . .

[Front (East) Portico Floor]
From the music we make a visit to the Doodles (ant lions that make their funnel like traps in the sandy floor of the portico). [In 1851 Custis paved the floor of the east portico with brick!....]

[The Unfinished White Parlor]
The large room on the left of the front [east] door as you enter next attracts attention. This room [room 112] occupies as much space as the parlor [room 108] & dining room [room 109], but is unfinished and unfurnished, except for one or two old sofas & tables, & many pictures hanging on the lathed but unplastered walls. The dark shades to the windows are most always drawn, making a light congenial with the aged furniture, the gapping fireplaces, the exposed lathes and the painted faces. Sometimes during the summer the family dine here.

[Mrs. R.E. Lee's Morning room—South Wing]
Beyond this room [the white parlor] in the wing to the west [south] is the room once used as a parlor [Mrs. R. E. Lee's morning room]; now empty but for some of the appliances of the artist's art; yet bearing touches of that adornment given to parlors; the plaster on the walls beautifully white where not broken off or defaced; ornamental moulding on the ceiling, & two brackets over the marble mantel, on each side of which stand glass gerandoles whose dust covered prisms give out flashes of light & color.

[Office and Study—South Wing]
Beyond this deserted parlor [Mrs. R.E. Lees morning room] is the end room [office and study] of the wing whose windows let in the sunlight. Here Mr. Custis has his studio proper & on the easel a large painting of the battle of Yorktown in progress [Custis actually was at work on this painting in March 1853]. Mr. C. is an amateur artist. . . . As he paints for recreation & pleasure, he only does it when inclination leads—not often in summer. . . .

[School and Sewing Room—North Wing]
In the east [north] wing is a room [school and sewing room] corresponding to the studio [office and study in the south wing] which is the scene of the artistic work of the Mistress [Mrs. Custis]. Here the clothes for the slaves are cut & made; women and children working under her directions, and here every Sunday a class of boys & girls assemble to be instructed by her, not only in the ways of righteousness but in letters & words. . . . .

[Custis Chamber and Custis Guest Chamber—North Wing]
Between this room of industry [school and sewing room] & the parlor first entered [family parlor], are the sleeping apartments of the family [Custis chamber and Custis guest chamber]; Mr. & Mrs. C & their two grand children.

[Second Floor Bedrooms]
When their daughter, Mrs. Lee & her other children made a visit to the old home, they occupy up stairs rooms in the main building . . .

After the death of Mr. & Mrs. Custis [in 1852 and 1857] their daughter [and only child] with her husband, Robert E. Lee, came into possession of the estate. The unfinished portions of the house were finished [in 1855]; the wear of time was repaired, and a home of unusual beauty and elegance was made, in which they lived until the [Civil] war.

The house still stands on its overlooking eminence; the out buildings and gardens are there, but desolation and sadness have taken the place of happiness & brightness, the lilies of the valley have disappeared. The countless dead sleep with the sunshine on them where the numberless old trees had stood in thick woods.

b. The Studio (Room 117), South Wing, 1852-53

In 1852, George Washington Parke Custis invited the historian Benson J. Lossing to visit him at Arlington House. Custis observed, "I have had an excellent studio fitted up in the South wing of the House, with a first rate light, (so pronounced by Mr. Stearns of your City [New York]) when painting his copies of Col. & Mrs. Washington from the originals here, also a stove and everything comfortable." [77]

During March 1853, as aforementioned, Lossing visited Arlington House. In his published account, Lossing reported, "I crossed the ferry at Georgetown early one bright sunny morning, and found Mr. Custis in his studio, giving some last touches to his picture of the Surrender at Yorktown... Within five years he has produced 600 historical pictures...." [78] Of the center hall (room 111), Lossing described in detail "The five pictures... in the spacious hall at Arlington..." [79]

c. April 1856 Visit to Arlington House

In April 1949 the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography published a letter by Augusta Blanch Berard with an introduction and notes by Clayton Torrence. [80] Berard described her visit to Arlington House on April 18, 1856, in the letter:

Center hall, family parlor, and family dining room

First after crossing the portico you enter a large Hall [center hall] hung with pictures of great interest.... On the right [to the north] of the hall opens into a room which a sort of archway divides into two, a larger [Room 108] & smaller [family dining room] apartment, I said to Markie (Martha Williams, a cousin of Col. and Mrs. Lee). "I like this room, it is not the least bit in 'order'" - "Yes" she replied "perhaps you think as Mrs. Pierce (Mrs. President) remarked of it the other day" "it is a preeminently Social Room." Mrs. Washington's tea table is in this room; [family parlor] also vases & other furniture from Mt. Vernon. The Washington silver too is in an antique sideboard, in the smaller division [family dining room] of the apartment which is used for a dining room.... Interesting pictures-LaFayette & Washington hang in this room.... [81]

The White Parlor

Opposite the left (south side) of the Hall (center hall) is a beautiful and noble drawing room [White parlor], very handsomely furnished and hung too with paintings. Col. Lee's portrait is there, also beautiful pictures of the children. On the mantel piece stand china from Mt. Vernon... [82]

Second Floor Rooms

At the end of the hall & on the left side of it, a stair case leads you to the upper rooms. They are all large, but we should think them terribly unfurnished. Markie's room [Markie"s chamber] commands a beautiful view of the river and Washington. In it are two large double bedsteads. The picture of her mother... hangs over the mantel piece [She also described three other portraits hanging in Mary and Markie's chamber]....

In the apartment [Room 203] adjoining Markie's stand the bed on which Washington died... [83]

South Wing Studio

I went into the Old Gentleman's [G.W.P. Custis] studio [office and study]. You know he is quite an amateur artist... [84]

d. South Wing—The "Morning Room", 1855

In 1855 the Lees installed a new mantel in the old parlor in the south wing and apparently renovated the room. Mrs. Robert E. Lee now began using this former parlor as her "morning room", after the English fashion. [85]

e. Data on Use of Rooms provided by Former Slaves, 1930

On March 3, 1930, Architect L. M. Leisenring made a tour of Arlington House with Mrs. Annie Baker (aged 77) and Mrs. Ada Thompson (aged 73), both daughters of Thornton and Selina Gray and all former slaves of the Custis-Lee family. In his report, Mr. Leisenring recorded: "They stated that their (sic) were two kitchens, a winter kitchen in the house and the summer kitchen outside."

South Wing Rooms

They stated that Mr. Custis used a little room [store room] down stairs off the greenhouse [or conservatory] for his office and they said some changes had been made in the room. In the old days, according to their statement, the greenhouse had benches along the sides for the plants.

Second Floor, Main House

The little room [Lee girls' dressing room] back of the one occupied by Agnes, Mildred, and Annie Lee [Lee girls' chamber] was used by Annie Lee (who was very religious) as Sunday-school room and she used to teach the little slaves.

They stated the floors of the main rooms were carpeted. The downstairs rooms had chandeliers "with danglers."

Room 111, Center Hall

In the center hall [room 111] were two very large antlers in the old days which they said were between the doors. They could not remember where the family portraits were hung but remembered many pictures of "battles and such."

Use of the Rooms in the Basement of the Mansion

The room [winter kitchen] under the north wing of the main house was designated as a wash room. The wine cellar and furnace room were next to it, in order. The wine, along with silver and paintings, was taken from the house before the arrival of the Union troops. Under the south wing of main house was the dairy and milk house [room BO—10]. In the center there was a deep, dry well in which they kept the milk. The butter was churned there and every day boys from the farm brought up the milk.

Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Thompson also stated that the family dining room (room 109) was used as the dining room and that Mary and Markie's chamber (room 204) was used by Marcha (Markie) Williams as a bedroom. [86]

C. ARLINGTON HOUSE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT, 1861-1933:

1. Military Headquarters, May 24, 1861 — June 1864

On the night of May 23, 1861, more than eight thousand Union soldiers, crossing the Potomac River to the Virginia shore in two columns, occupied Arlington and Alexandria and began fortifying these positions. One of these soldiers, a member of the New York Seventh Regiment wrote home, "Not far from us is visible the great white mansion . . . . which now belongs to the Ex-Col. Lee." [87]

On May 24 Major General C. W. Sandford, who commanded the forces occupying Virginia, visited Arlington and decided to set up his headquarters close by in order to safeguard it and the remaining furnishings. [88] One soldier from a nearby regiment wrote, "Arlington House is the antipodes of gingerbread, except that it is yellow, and disposed to crumble. It has a pompous propylon of enormous stuccoed columns." [89]

Near the end of May, a new commanding officer, Brigadier General Irvin McDowell, took over the headquarters his predecessor had set up in three large tents just south of Arlington House. McDowell was well acquainted with Lee, and he was resolved to carry out General Winfield Scott's orders that the mansion be protected. Two days after he assumed command of the Federal forces in Virginia, McDowell wrote the following letter to Mrs. Robert E. Lee:

Having been ordered by the Government to relieve Major-General Sandford in command of this department, I had the honor to receive this morning your letter of today, addressed to him at this place.

With respect to the occupation of Arlington by the United States troops, I beg to say it has been done by my predecessor with every regard to the preservation of the place. I am here temporarily in camp on the grounds, preferring this to sleeping in the house, under the circumstances which the painful state of the country places me with respect to its proprietors.

I assure you it has been and will be my earnest endeavor to have all things so ordered that on your return you will find concurrence of the courteous, kind hearted gentleman in the immediate command of the troops quartered here, and who lives in the lower part of the house to insure its being respected.

Everything has been done as you described with respect to your servants, and your wishes, as far as they are known or could be anticipated, have been complied with. When you desire to return, every facility will be given you for so doing.

I trust, madam, you will not consider it an intrusion if I say I have the most sincere sympathy for your distress, and that, as far as is compatible with my duty, I shall always be ready to do whatever may alleviate it.

P.S. I am informed it was the order of the General-in-Chief, if the troops on coming here found the family in the house, that no one should enter it, but that a guard should be placed for its protection. [90]

In July 1861 McDowell's staff began to utilize the mansion and his adjutant-general occupied the drawing room (room 112) as his office. [91] The mansion was still in good condition in November 1861, when an army surgeon wrote:

After the vandalism I have witnessed... it was a pleasurable relief to find here... respect for the property and furniture. The garden, with its fences is preserved, and the walls of almost every room in the immense old building are covered with the rich paintings and old family pictures... The antique bureaus and side-boards, calling up impressions of generations long passed away, are still tenants of the building; and the halls recall Scott's description of the Halls of the Douglas, where the arms of the hunters and the trophies of the hunt mingled with the trappings of the warrior.... [92]

By January 1862 some of the Mount Vernon relics stored in Arlington House disappeared. The housekeeper, Selina Gray, had kept their presence a secret, thinking to safeguard them. But to her dismay, she found one morning that the basement room in which they were stored had been broken into and some of the boxes opened. Wishing to be relieved of the responsibility, she turned the keys over to General McDowell to whom she reported the theft. A further search revealed that the door to the attic had also been broken open, so McDowell had both doors closed and began efforts to move the remaining Washington relics to a safer place. After inventorying the items it was found that most of the Washington relics were still there. The most important missing piece was the large Washington punch bowl.

McDowell, who had only recently moved into the mansion because of an injury he had sustained in a fall from a horse, was chagrined that the theft had occurred despite his presence. "I have during the time I have been here endeavoured to take the greatest care of this house and its furniture, and of the grounds, &c.," he wrote to one of his friends on General George B. McClellan's staff, "but from what has been done and what will be done in the changes to take place in the different persons who may occupy the house with their staff, servants, followers, &c., and the crowd of curiosity-seekers constantly coming here, this place is not a safe one for the preservation of anything that is known to have an historical interest small or great." He thought that the relics, together with the family papers in the attic, should be placed for safekeeping in either the Patent Office or the Smithsonian Institute." [93]

Higher authorities chose to follow the general's advice and the Washington mementos were carefully packed up and taken over to the Patent Office in Washington, D.C., for safekeeping. [94]

In the spring of 1862, after McClellan's Army of the Potomac departed for Fort Monroe to begin its advance up the Peninsula toward Richmond, only several thousand soldiers were left behind to man the defenses of Washington. From nearby Fort Tillinghast, a youthful cannoneer described to his mother how sadly the mansion and its grounds had deteriorated. He wrote:

There is nothing here to keep up one's spirits, for we are away from everybody and everything, with the exception of the Arlington House... It has been a splendid place, but now everything has been destroyed, the magnificent forest around it having been cut down, and the flower gardens neglected. The pictures have nearly all been taken away, and the house much injured. The rooms are very large, and there is a long entry running the entire length of the house, adorned with stags heads, and a few splendid paintings still remain. [95]

After the Second Battle of Bull Run, or Manassas (August 29-30, 1862), Arlington House became the headquarters for the defenses west of the Potomac. As the defeated Federal army retreated toward Washington, General McClellan ordered the mansion burned if the enemy moved on Washington, but the tide of battle came no closer, thus sparing it from destruction. [96]

After December 1862 the mansion was no longer used as a headquarters, but a number of officers stationed at the nearby forts continued living there. Some had their families with them. One general, General Samuel P. Heintzelman, had nine offspring with him. [97]

Officers continued to reside in Arlington House during 1863 and 1864. In May and June 1864, Brigadier General Gustavus Adolph DeRussey, commanding the New York Volunteer Artillery, Defense of Washington, was residing in Arlington House. [98]

On January 11, 1864, as has been mentioned, the Arlington estate was purchased at public auction by the U.S. Government for $26,880. Having apparently acquired title to the 1,100 acre estate, Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (in June 1864) adopted the plan of developing 200 acres of land adjacent to Arlington House as Arlington National Cemetery.

In the fall of 1864 George T. Barrett, an Englishman visiting Arlington House, wrote the following description of the mansion:

Four miles from Washington we found ourselves at Arlington House, standing at the open window of the dining room and looking back across the Potomac at the glorious view of the distant city. The house is placed in a lovely situation on the crest of a beautifully wooded slope. It is a queer, old-fashioned place, with heavy columns and flights of steps, strangely like what it is being now turned into-a mausoleum. The doors were all wide open, and we walked in unquestioned by the soldiers who were lounging about the entrance. The rooms had been sacked of their best furniture and looked dreary and desolate. A few pictures remained upon the walls, one or two apparently of merit, which chance had saved from the bayonet... The carpets and curtains were gone; a few tables and chairs alone were left for the use of the soldiers who occupied the building. In front workmen were busy restoring the outer wall, for the park has become enclosed as a cemetery.... To see the home of Robert Lee sacked and made into a cemetery, and to fancy the thoughts that would fill that great heart... were so strange to me, and in their strangeness so painful, that I doubt whether I ever had a sadder walk than that visit to the heights of Arlington. [99]

Despite this description, the mansion, considering three years of constant hard use by the Union Army, had survived in reasonably good condition. No repairs or improvements, however, were made to the structure during the years 1861 to 1864.

2. Establishment and Development of Arlington National Cemetery, May 13, 1864 — January 1883

On May 13, 1864, the first soldiers were buried on the northeast portion of the Arlington estate about half a mile from the mansion. By mid-June 1864, Montgomery C. Meigs, Quartermaster General of the Union Army, had conceived the idea of developing a portion of the Arlington plantation around the mansion as a national cemetery, and on June 15 suggested this plan to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He wrote:

I have visited and inspected the ground now used as a cemetery upon the Arlington Estate.

I recommend that interments in this ground be discontinued, and that the land surrounding the Arlington mansion, now understood to be the property of the United States, be appropriated as a National Military Cemetery, to be properly enclosed, laid out, and carefully preserved for that purpose, and that bodies recently interred be removed to the National Cemetary thus to be established. . . [100]

Secretary Stanton approved the plan that same day, ordering General Meigs:

The Arlington mansion and the ground immediately surrounding it are appropriated for a military cemetery.

The bodies of all soldiers dying in the hospitals of the vicinity of Washington and Alexandria (after the grounds there and at Alexandria are full) will be interred in this cemetery.

The quartermaster general is charged with the execution of this order. He will have the ground, not exceeding 200 acres, to be immediately surveyed, laid out and enclosed for this purpose, not interfering with the ground occupied by the Freeman Court. . . [101]

Meigs implemented this order at once and on June 15 directed Brigadier General D. H. Rucker, Chief Quartermaster of the Depot of Washington, D.C., as follows:

You will cause the grounds not exceeding two hundred acres to be immediately surveyed, laid out, and enclosed for this purpose not interfering with the grounds occupied by the Freeman's Camp.

I enclose a Sketch showing the farm and location of the cemetery to be corrected . . . .

No interments should be made after this day in the cemetery lately opened to the South side of the Potomac.

When the Season permits it, the bodies lately interred there and the bodies of soldiers interred last year in an old cemetery in that vicinity will be removed to the National Cemetery at Arlington.

Mr. Edward Clark will act as Architect and Engineer of the Cemetery. Having accompanied me this morning on an inspection of the grounds he will be able to point out the portion of the grounds in which interrments should be immediately commenced.

Being charged specially by the Secretary of War with the establishment of this Cemetery, I have to request that you submit the plans to me for approval before commencing the enclosure or opening the main road through the grounds.

I have requested Professor Bache to detail a skilful surveyor from the [U.S.] Coast Survey to make a topographical survey and map of the grounds.

If the Coast Survey can spare an officer for this purpose he will be directed to report to you.

This work will be under your general direction and in the immediate charge of such officer as you may assign to this duty. . . [102]

The map-making crew went to work at once. In his annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1864, A. B. Bache informed the Secretary of the Treasury:

Topography of Arlington Heights, Virginia. - By request of the Quartermaster General in June a minute plane-table has been made of the Arlington estate, comprising two hundred and fifty acres, with reference to the use of the grounds as a national cemetery. Contour lines were traced on the map corresponding to successive elevations of five feet. The lines run with the level for this purpose make an aggregate of twenty-eight miles, and determine the height of the grounds at three thousand points.

This survey was made by Mr. E. Hergesheimer, assisted by Mr. R. E. McMath, with a working party detailed from the 169th regiment of Ohio militia. The map [see map no. 2] was drawn at the office on the desired scale by Mr. Hergesheimer, and photographed copies of it have been furnished to General Meigs. . . . [103]

The U.S. Coast Survey transmitted the "map of the grounds designed for soldiers national cemetery" and "photographed on half scale" to Quartermaster General Meigs on September 8, 1864. [104]

In June 1864 while the U.S. Coast Survey team was working at Arlington House, Captain Andrew J. Russell of the U.S. Signal Corps proceeded to the Custis-Lee Mansion and on June 28 and 29 took a series of some 14 photographs of the survey team, the exterior of Arlington House, its outbuildings, and grounds. [105] It is this combination of the Hergesheimer-McMath Map (Map No. 2) and the Captain Andrew J. Russell photographs of the exterior of Arlington House, all made in late June 1864, that make possible an accurate restoration of the Arlington House and its immediate grounds to their original appearance immediately prior to the Civil War.

In a memorandum written for the files, dated April 12, 1873, Major General Meigs, Quartermaster, U.S. Army, recorded his difficulties in executing his plans for the Arlington National Cemetery. He wrote:

. . . In establishing the cemetery, under authority of the Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton, it was my intention to have begun the interments nearer the mansion, but opposition on the part of officers stationed at Arlington to have the dead buried near them caused the interments to be begun in the Northeastern quarter of the grounds near the Alexandria road. . . On discovering this by a visit I gave special instructions to make the burials near the mansion. They were then driven off by the same influence to the western portion of the grounds. An average of some 60 per day were then being interred, and on discovering this second error I caused the officers to be buried around the garden and located the vault for the unknown dead in the rear of the mansion . . . I did not think it right however to disinter any persons once buried within the limits of the cemetery. Hence the scattered condition of the graves arises from my orders and instructions being imperfectly executed . . . Engrossing business which at the time during very active campaign in Virginia made it difficult for me to find time to personally inspect the operations at the cemetery, prevented my earlier discovering the manner in which my plans for the cemetery had been in some degree thwarted. [106]

The distractions that Meigs mentioned included Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early's attack on Washington, which reached the vicinity of the capital on July 10, 1864, and Major General Philip S. Sheridan's successful invasion of the Shenandoah Valley between August 1864 to February 1865.

In an earlier report to the Secretary of War dated March 10, 1867, Meigs wrote "General DeRussy occupied the house and blocked the burial of soldiers near the mansion." [107]

On December 17, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel James Moore, Assistant Quartermaster General of the Washington Quartermaster Depot in charge of establishing Arlington National Cemetery, wrote an interesting letter to his superior, Major General D. H. Rucker, Chief Quartermaster of the Depot of Washington:

. . .The Quartermaster General, having some time ago, expressed his regret that interments had not been made in close proximity to the Arlington House, Va., so as to more firmly secure the grounds known as the National Cemetery to the Government by rendering it undesirable as a future residence or homestead.

There being more than a thousand interments yet to be made, the view of the Quartermaster General can now be carried out.

A brother of Genl. Lee (Smith Lee) in a recent visit to Arlington, remarked to the Superintendent [of the cemetery], "that the house would still be made a pleasant residence, by fencing off the Cemetery, and removing the officers buried around the garden." [108]

In his annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1864 and dated November 3, 1864, the Quartermaster General informed Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton of the establishment of Arlington Cemetery. He stated:

Careful records of the burials of soldiers in the cemeteries in the neighborhood of Washington have been kept.

The grounds near the Soldier's Home, north of the city, having been filled by the burial of nearly 8,000 persons, by your direction a portion of the Arlington estate has been appropriated as a national cemetery. The grounds have been carefully surveyed and suitably laid out and enclosed. Already nearly 3,000 interments have taken place in this national cemetery. The graves are carefully sodded, and at the head of each is planted a neat head-board, painted white, on which are inscribed, in black letters, (the number referring to the burial record) the name of the soldier, his company and regiment, and date of his death.

I transmit herewith an extract from the report of Captain James M. Moore, assistant quartermaster, who has, during the greater part of the fiscal year, had charge of the interments of soldiers dying in Washington... [109]

With regard to Arlington, Captain James M. Moore reported to Quartermaster General Meigs:

In May last the ground of the cemetery in the rear of the Old Soldiers" Home having become exhausted, the Secretary of War directed that a new site be secured on Lee's farm, at Arlington, Virginia. The locality is well adapted for a cemetery, and is being approximately improved for that object. Intelligent and reliable sextons are placed in charge, who keep a register of all interments made, with the particulars concerning each, for the information of visitors. . .

I have appended for your information an abstract of the burial record, showing the number of men who died in hospitals in this vicinity, with the nativities, ages, causes of death, &c., from August 1, 1861, to August 1, 1864.

Secretary of War Stanton, transmitting these two reports to Congress, remarked in his own annual report for the year ending June 30, 1864, with regard to Arlington:

The ground appropriated for a cemetery near the "Soldiers" Home," in the District, having been filled, a national military cemetery has been established at Arlington, on the south bank of the Potomac, in which several thousand interments have already been made. The names of the soldiers here buried are registered...." [111]

Record of Burials at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia

Work on the new national military cemetery at Arlington got underway on June 17, 1864. By June 30, 1866, a vault had been constructed for the receipt of the unidentified dead. [120] By June 30, 1867, a total of $174,807.42 had been expended on the development of the Arlington Cemetery. [121] The establishment and development of Arlington and 71 other new national military cemeteries from June 1864 to June 30, 1872 was supervised by Quartermaster General Meigs. [122] By June 30, 1869, phase I of the development of 72 national cemeteries had been largely completed. At a cost of $2,801,352.49, 322,607 Union soldiers had been interred in 72 national cemeteries and 313 local, private, or post cemeteries. Of these men, 171,948 had been identified and 150,659 had not. [123]

A check list of the improvements indicates that considerable work had been accomplished at Arlington National Cemetery by June 30, 1869. A brick "Lodge", Arlington House, served as the quarters of the superintendent and as the cemetery office. The 200 acres were enclosed by a wooden picket fence, and a flag pole had been erected. A drainage system and gravel avenues and walks had been built and trees and shrubs planted. Wooden grave markers had been placed at the heads of 15,932 graves. A cistern supplied water for the "Lodge" and cemetery, and a cannon monument had been erected. [124]

120. Congressional Serial No. 1285, p. 308. For additional information on the Civil War Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is located to the west of the flower garden south of Arlington House, see the National Park Service study: Charles H. McCormick, "Custis-Lee Mansion: Historical Data for Grounds," (Division of History, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, June 1, 1968), 20.

U.S. NATIONAL CEMETERIES, 1864 to June 30, 1872

The provisions of section 2 of the act of February 22, 1867, authorized the Secretary of War to appoint "a meritorious and trustworthy superintendent for each of the national cemeteries, who shall be selected from enlisted men of the army disabled in service, and who shall have the pay and allowances of an ordinary sergeant, and who shall reside at the cemetery for the purpose of guarding and protecting the same, and give information to parties visiting it." Under the act the first superintendent at Arlington was Thompson R. East, who held that office from June 1867 to September 1869. [125] In 1869 the salary of the superintendents of the 12 largest cemeteries, which included Arlington, was apparently increased to that of a second lieutenant of infantry ($77.78 per month or $933.33 per annum). [126]

Phase II of the development of the national cemeteries began on July 1, 1869 and involved the replacement of the first temporary wooden construction with permanent lodges and enclosing walls built of stone or brick, with iron fences. In 1870-71 the original enclosing picket fence at Arlington was thus replaced by a stone enclosing wall. [127] In 1871, an arched gateway was placed under construction on the east side of Arlington Cemetery. [128] This "handsome arched gateway of sandstone, with iron gate" was "to have plain Doric columns and rustic piers, with an arch of ten feet." [129] On June 30, 1872, this structure was reported to be nearly completed. [130]

In a special report to the Secretary of War, dated January 19, 1883, Lieutenant Colonel R. M. Batchelder, Deputy Quartermaster General, U.S. Army, in charge of national cemeteries, reported with regard to the development of Arlington National Cemetery, for the years between 1864 to December 31, 1882.

With the $122,000 that had been expended on the adjacent Fort Myer, (also located on the former Arlington Estate), the War Department had spent an approximate total of $640,000 on Arlington Cemetery and Fort Myer since 1864. [131]

As aforementioned, in 1874 George Washington Custis Lee sued to recover his title to the 1,100 acre Arlington Estate that had been bequeathed to him by his grandfather. The protracted case passed through the courts and finally, on December 4, 1882, it was decided in his favor by the Supreme Court of the United States. Because of the thousands of soldiers that had been buried at Arlington by this date, Lee accepted the offer of the government on March 10, 1883 to purchase the property for $150,000. This transaction was completed on March 31, 1883. To date, the United States had spent an approximate total of $670,384.46 to secure title to and establish and improve Arlington National Cemetery.

Quartermaster General Meigs' plan of June 15, 1864, "to more firmly secure the grounds known as the National Cemetery to the Government by rendering it undesirable as a future residence or homestead" by burying soldiers "in close proximity to Arlington House," was successful as a result of the transaction in 1883. On the other hand, Lee appears to have received a fair price for a dilapidated old mansion and 1,100 acre estate that had been only at $34,100 on January 11, 1864. However, no money was paid for damages or the timber cut from virgin forest that covered about 2/3 of the estate.

A description of Arlington National Cemetery, Va., ca. 1884 reads:

Lat. 38     53';     Long. 0     02' West.

A U.S. Cemetery of the first class, located on the west side of the Potomac opposite Washington, D.C.

This cemetery, in which are interred the bodies of 16,000 soldiers, colored refugees, and rebel prisoners of war, fronts east on the Georgetown and Alexandria turnpike for a distance of about 3,500 feet and extends from north to south with an average width of 2,600 feet, and contains 210.3 acres.

Title: This cemetery is a part of the Arlington Estate, purchased by authority of an Act of Congress approved March 3, 1883, from G. W. C. Lee by deed dated March 31, 1833, consideration $150,000 (Deed recorded in Book F, No. 4, p. 257, Records of Alexandria County Court, Alexandria, Va., May 14, 1883). Jurisdiction ceded to this U.S. by Act of Genl. Assembly of Virginia on February 23, 1884. [132]

3. Arlington House and the Quartermaster Corps, 1864-84

The records of the Office of the Quartermaster General indicate that the superintendents of Arlington National Cemetery submitted monthly reports covering the period June 1, 1867, to April 30, 1894. [133] A search of these records revealed that all of the reports of the years 1867 to 1884, with the exception of five months, are extant and that the reports for the period from January 1, 1885, to April 30, 1894, could not be located and apparently are no longer extant. [134]

The monthly reports for the years June 1, 1867, to December 31, 1884, however, provide a fairly detailed record of the condition, improvements, and repairs that were made to the buildings, roads, walls, graves, and water supply, in the cemetery during this period.

During phase I of the development of Arlington National Cemetery all efforts of the staff were directed at interring the soldiers, marking their graves, enclosing the grounds, laying out roads, walks, drainage systems and planting trees. All of this work is described in Arlington Superintendent Thompson R. East's reports for the period June 1, 1867, to July 31, 1869, and there is no mention of any repairs or improvements being made to cemetery buildings, namely Arlington House and its outbuildings, the kitchen, slave quarters, and the stable. From this evidence it appears probable that no basic maintenance, repairs, or painting were performed at Arlington House from the summer of 1859, when Robert E. Lee made his last repairs and improvements to the structure, to August 1869. The first mention of the condition of the cemetery buildings is in East's report for April 1869:

Building [Arlington House] leaks in some places and the foundation is settling and giving way under the room formerly used as a parlor [Mrs. R.E. Lees morning room]. The kitchen, mess and bunk house also need some light repairs and whitewashing. The old kitchen and servants quarters in rear of the mansion are in a state of decay. [135]

He repeated this information in the reports for May and June 1869, but no action resulted.

a. New Wood Shingle Roof on South Wing, 1869

On August 5, 1869, J. P. Town, General Superintendent of National Cemeteries, and Samuel Frees, General Superintendent of Carpenters, inspected Arlington House and wrote to Brevet Brigadier General J. C. McFerran, Deputy Quartermaster General to the depot of Washington:

In compliance with your order, we have examined the roof of the Old Mansion, at Arlington Nat. Cemetery and we find that the roof on the south wing leaks so badly and is so much decayed that it is necessary to have an entire new roof. It will require about nine thousand shingles and the material and labour of putting it on will cost about one hundred and fifty dollars - $150.00. The roof on the main building is slate and needs some slight repairs.

The floor in the south wing [Mrs. R.E. Lee's morning room?], on the west side has decayed and sunk down. It needs to be raised and shored up in its proper place.

These with some other slight repairs, at a cost of not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars - $250.00 - will put the Old Mansion in the fair condition. [136]

McFerran forwarded this letter to the quartermaster general on August 5, "with request that authority be granted to purchase the material and hire the labor necessary to make these repairs." He noted "The house—if left in the present condition will soon become untenable. . . . [137]

Major J. J. Dana, acting on behalf of absent Brigadier General Alexander J. Perry, Chief, Cemeterial Division, forwarded these items to the quartermaster general on August 7. He commented: "The Arlington Mansion is partly occupied as a Lodge for the Superintendent of the National Cemetery at that place, but it does not appear that the portion thus occupied needs any repair." [138]

Quartermaster General Meigs answered on August 7, 1869, directing that the repairs be made. He write, "The building being a part of the Cemetery should be preserved and kept in good repair." [139]

Lee's 18S8 gravel roof on the south wing was replaced in September 1869 by a new wood shingle roof. In his monthly report for September, Superintendent East remarked, "A new roof has been put on the south wing of the mansion and all leaks repaired on the mane [sic] building." [140]

Charles Fitchett, who took office as superintendent, reported in his first monthly report [November 1969], "The main building (mansion) is in a fair condition. The outbuildings are in a state of decay." [141]

b. New Roof on the North Wing and Exterior and Interior Painting, 1870

In March 1870 Superintendent Fitchett began reporting that the gravel roof which Colonel Lee had installed on the north wing of the mansion was leaking in several places. In April 1870 he recommended "that the roof of the north wing of the main building (mansion) be shingled." [142] On May 24, 1870, Major William Myers, officer in charge of the Washington Quartermaster Depot, informed Quartermaster General Meigs:

I have the honor to report that the [exterior] wood work of the mansion at Arlington National Cemetery requires to be painted in order to preserve the same from decay. I have therefore to request authority to have the work done, which is estimated to cost about $275.00.

On May 26 the quartermaster general granted authority [143] and this work was completed in June. Superintendent Fitchett noted in his report for that month:

The main building has been improved by its having been recently painted. I would recommend the white washing of the masonry [plasterwork] on the outside of the main building, also the painting of the wood work on the inside of the north wing of the main building [where he had his quarters], also the painting of the wood work on the inside of the green house [perhaps in Room 116, south wing]. [144]

The new roof was placed on the north wing and the interior wood work and exterior plaster walls were painted during August 1870. In his monthly report, Fitchett commented:

The main building is in very good condition. The roof of the north wing has been [wood] shingled and the wood work on the inside of the north wing and the wood work on the inside of the green house has been painted, during the present month. The masonry on the outside of the main building has been whitewashed yellow during the present month. [145]

In his report for September 1870, Fitchett wrote:

The Main building is in good condition. The two lodges and the stable are in good condition. The two outbuildings formerly used for servants quarters are in a [sic] advanced state of decay. A brick foundation for the new green house has been built during the present month." [146]

The new green house was completed during October 1870. [147]

Edwin H. Harner replaced Charles Fitchett as Superintendent of Arlington Cemetery on December 5, 1870. [148]

By November 1870 gravel roofs of the north and south wings had been replaced by the new wood shingle roofs. The exterior plaster work and woodwork of the mansion had been painted yellow and the interior woodwork of the rooms in the north wing and perhaps also the interior woodwork of the green house [room 116 in the south wing] had been painted.

c. New Window Glass and Repair of Servants' Quarters, 1871

In his first monthly report for December 1870 Superintendent Harner wrote regarding Arlington House:

The main building and two lodges are in good condition, except about two dozen window panes are required at the main building. The two outhouses near the main building are very old and nearly worthless. I respectfully ask that these buildings may be inspected with a view of ascertaining whether they are worth the cost of repair. [149]

The window glass was apparently placed in the Arlington House windows March 1871 as that problem was no longer mentioned in the report for that month. [150]

In May 1871 Harner noted, "Six rooms in main building have been white-washed." that He also reported a privy had been built for the accommodation of visitors. [151]

In Quartermaster General Meig's annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, it was noted that the "mansion, formerly owned by the rebel General R. E. Lee, is used as the office of the Superintendent" of Arlington National Cemetery. [152] The six rooms whitewashed in May thus may have related to the preparation of the first floor rooms in the south wing of the main house (room 111) for use as an office.

In July 1871 Harner reported, "the water spouts on the main building are leaking and the water is damaging the walls of the house." [153] In his November report he noted that the "water spouts on the main building have been repaired." [154]

On August 9, 1871 Captain William Myers, Quartermaster commanding the Washington Quartermaster Depot, provided the quartermaster general with a detailed statement of the repairs necessary to put the north and south servant"s quarters west of Arlington House in good condition. These repairs would amount to $1,325.00. "In case it is deemed necessary to make these buildings habitable an additional expense of $563.00 will be necessary. . .," he wrote, thus bring the estimated grand total to $1,888.00. On August 10, 1871, Quartermaster General Meigs authorized the expenditure of $1,888.00 to repair the two outbuildings. [155]

Superintendent Harner noted in his August 1871 report, "The two outhouses near the main building are now being repaired." [156] Work continued during September and in October 1871 Harner announced, "The two outhouses near the main building have been plastered, white washed and wood work painted." [157]

In January 1872 Frederick Kauffman became superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery. In his first monthly report he commented, "I find the old mansion and the other buildings in good condition." [158]

d. Improvements in 1872

In April 1872 Kauffman wrote, "respectfully recommend that a cistern be built at the south end of the main building, to do away with the hogsheads at present kept there to catch rain water for the greenhouse." "The well," he explained, "is not sufficient to furnish water in the dry season." [159] The monthly reports, however, reveal that no action was taken on this suggestion during 1872.

The only recorded work done on the buildings during 1872 occurred in June, when Kauffman reported, "All the outhouses have been yellow washed and are looking well." [160]

e. Improvements in 1873

In his March 1873 report Kauffman wrote, "The buildings are in good condition with the exception of the brick columns on the front of the main building which need repairing and painting." [161]

This work was accomplished in April or May, for the May 30, 1873, edition of the National Republican commented, "The front of the mansion, which faces the river, received its share of beautifing, the massive columns have all been repainted."

On May 29, 1873, Quartermaster General Meigs directed Major William Myers, depot quartermaster, Washington Depot, to pick up from his office "a bronze inscribed shield received this day from the manufacturer Mr. W. A. Blodget" and to "have it fixed against the wall of the mansion at the Arlington National Cemetery under the great portico to the right hand [north] of the main door, at a height of six feet over the portico floor." [162]

In April 1873 Superintendent Kauffman began reporting that the "water spouts of the mansion. . . need considerable repairs." [163]

Construction on the cistern that Kauffman had suggested in April 1872 got underway in June 1873 and at the end of July 1873 he reported:

The buildings are in good condition, the two small outhouses near the mansion have been repaired, the gutters and spouting of the main building have been fixed and the connection made with the [new] cistern so that we will have a sufficiency of water now. [164]

On November 15, 1873, the commanding officer of the Washington depot informed the quartermaster general that $131.60 had been expended making repairs to Arlington House as follows:

Leading water from roof to Mansion House to new cistern & drains	$55.90
Repairs to gutters of Mansion House changing flow of water	75.70

He also noted that a total of $2,053.25 had been recently spent at Arlington National Cemetery. [165]

Appleton's Handbook of American Travel - Southern Tour, published in 1873, contained information on Arlington House. It stated, "The lower floors are open to visitors. In the office of the Superintendent a register [of soldiers buried in the cemetery] is kept for visitors. . ."

f. Improvements in 1874

(1) New Front Steps and Two New Rear (West) Porches

In September 1873 Superintendent Kauffman discovered and began reporting on a new problem at Arlington House. The wooden steps of the great eastern [front] portico and the two wooden porches on the west or rear elevation of the mansion all needed replacing. [166]

No action, however, was taken on the problem until 1874, when on March 16, Major William Myers prepared a drawing of the proposed new steps and two west porches together with an estimate in the amount of $473.50 as the cost of constructing these wooden structures (See plan no. 16). In transmitting this data to the quartermaster general it was explained:

There are three sets of steps to the mansion—one extending along the front and ends of the main portico [on the east or front elevation], and in the rear of the main building [center house], and the third in the rear of the Superintendent's apartment [which was located in the north wing]. The estimate of Major Myers is to replace these steps, which are now reported to be in unservicable condition: $473.50. [167]

Quartermaster General Meigs, responding on March 26, 1874, informed Major Meyers "that the state of the Cemeterial appropriation will not warrant the proposed expenditure for construction of new steps for the mansion. The work must be deferred until the new fiscal year [that is, after June 30, 1874]." [168]

The three new constructions; replacing the portico steps and west porches visible in Captain Andrew J. Russell's photographs taken on June 28 and 29, 1864, were erected in August 1874. In his report for that month, Superintendent Kauffman noted, "New porches and steps have been erected during the past month." [169]

(2) Improvements to the Water Supply

The "water system" of Arlington National Cemetery, Superintendent Kauffmann explained in March 1874, "consists of a rain water cistern capable of holding 350 barrels of water and a well, both located near the corner of the northwest part of the main building; also of several springs in different parts of the cemetery." [170] In August 1874 he reported, "Neat houses have been erected over the well and cistern during the month." [171] In November 1874 Kauffman noted, "Pumps have been put in each during the past month." He added, "a good pump has been placed in the well lately in place of the buckets and rope." [172]

(3) Buildings in 1874

Superintendent Kauffman described the cemetery buildings in 1874. He observed that the "Lodge [Arlington House] consists of a two-story brick building containing 16 rooms and basement, used for office of superintendent's quarters; also two one-story frame buildings one with four and the other with two rooms in tolerably good condition located at the middle and northeast entrance." [173] The one-story frame house with the two rooms was demolished by October 1874. [174] The outbuildings, he reported, "consist of two one-story brick houses of three rooms each [located to the west of the mansion]. These [are] used for tool house, store house, and watchmen's quarters. Also a brick stable with hay loft and one greenhouse." [175]

(4) Repairs to Interior of Arlington House

In May 1874 Kauffman described conditions inside Arlington House and particularly his quarters in the north wing. He stated:

The interior of the main building, especially that part of the lodge occupied by the superintendent needs repairing badly, the plastering has fallen off in some places, the window frames and sashes are decayed so that the rain and snow beating in makes it [a] very uncomfortable living room in the winter . . . New locks should be put on the doors of the main building. There is not a complete lock on any door in the house. . . [176]

The desired repairs were made in August when the superintendent reported that "some repairs have been made inside and new locks have been put on the doors." [177]

(5) Glass Roof for the Conservatory (Room 116), South Wing

In his August 1874 report Kauffman recommended "that a glass roof be put on the old conservatory [Room 116] attached to the main building so as to make it more useful in preserving plants during the winter." [178] In his October report the superintendent announced, "A glass roof has been put on the old Conservatory during the past month." [179] In the report of the Inspector of National Cemeteries for 1874 it was reported with regard to Arlington National Cemetery:

The old mansion and the outbuildings have been repaired and are now in good condition. The flag staff stands in front of the house. There is a flower garden and green house just south of the mansion. . . The greenhouse has lately been enlarged and improved. . . [180]

g. Improvements in 1875

(1) Columns and Gutters of East Portico Repaired

In his report for March 1875, Kauffman remarked, "Several of the columns on the front (east) porch of the main building are in a bad state and need repairs, also the gutter of the [portico] roof overhead." In a note added to this report the depot quartermaster of the Washington Depot wrote, "The gutter alluded to the Superintendent as requiring repairs has been repaired at a cost of $10.06 as the wash was endangering the foundation of one of the columns." [181]

In April 1875 Superintendent Kauffman warned that Arlington House should be repaired during the summer. The roof and gutters needed repairs, new spouting was required, and glass was needed for the windows. The columns on the east portico also required additional repairs. [182] This work was completed in September 1875, and the superintendent reported that the mansion was in good condition in October 1875. [183]

(2) Stable Repaired

In the report for the month of June 1875 Superintendent Kauffman reported, "Outbuildings are in good condition except the stable — it need a new door and sheathing and a door frame." [184] In November he commented, "The Stable has lately been repaired and is in good condition." [185]

h. Improvements in 1876

In April 1876 Superintendent Kauffman began reporting that "the columns on the front [east] porch . . . are getting in a very bad condition." [186] This situation was apparently corrected during August, when for the first time since April, he declared the mansion "to be in good condition." [187]

i. Improvements in 1877

In January 1877 Kauffman reported that the roof and gutters of Arlington House "have been damaged by snow slides lately - the snow breakers having given away has damaged the gutters and some of the roof." [188] This situation was apparently corrected at once, because in February the superintendent wrote, "Main building is in good condition with the exception of the columns [on the east portico] - they are getting in a very bad condition." [189] In his report for May 1877, Kauffman was able to write, "Mansion is in good condition—the columns of the front porch have been repaired during month." [190]

j. Improvements in 1878

In his report for March 1878 Superintendent Kauffmann informed the quartermaster depot officer, Washington Depot:

The mansion is in good condition with the exception of the slate roof [on the mansion or center house] which leaks in some places . . .

I would respectfully state that the roof of the central part of the mansion is in bad condition and should be repaired at an early day. The roof is covered with slate nailed on an old [1817-18] shingle roof. The shingles are badly rotted and consequently the nails fastening the slate have no hold and the slates are blown off at every heavy gale. During last Sunday's wind storm the slates were flying in every direction so as to make it dangerous to be near the house.

In the first endorsement to this report, dated April 8, 1878, the depot quartermaster notified the quartermaster general, "The roof of the mansion will be repaired." [191]

In his April 1878 report Kauffman noted that in addition to the roof of the center part, "the house [north wing] occupied by the Superintendent ... need repairs." [192]

On June 8, 1878, the depot quartermaster reported to quartermaster general:

The entire roof of the main building and annexes [wings] require a thorough overhauling and repair. The slating [of the center house] and shingles [or the north and south wings] must be taken off and the sheathing, which is rotten and covers only about half of the roof, must be replaced and re-laid close and then re-slated. It is estimated that 1/3 new slate will be required. The whole job will cost about $675.00 and as we have the money to spare I recommend that the work be done now. [193]

On June 10, 1878, Quartermaster General Meigs authorized the depot quartermaster of the Washington Depot "to have the roof of the mansion and outhouses repaired as recommended, cost not to exceed $675.00." [194]

In his report for June 1878 Kauffman announced, "The main building is in good condition. The roof has just been repaired by relaying the slate and putting on new sheathing." He also noted that the "two brick outhouses and stable near the main building are in good condition." [195]

Thus, the slate roof that Robert E. Lee had put on the main or center house in 1858 was extensively repaired for the first time in 1878.

In July 1878 Superintendent Kauffman reported "Mansion is in good condition. The part occupied by the superintendent has had new windows put in and is now being white coated and painted." [196]

k. Improvements in 1879

In April 1879, Kauffman announced that once more "the columns on the front porch are getting in bad condition." These were apparently repaired in May. [197]

In May 1879 a new roof problem appeared. The superintendent noted, "The roof which is shingled [on the wings]. . . leaks badly". [198] In August Kauffman reported, "The mansion is in good condition. A new shingled roof has been put on the wing parts during the month." [199]

l. Improvements in 1880

In January 1880 the east portico column problem again required attention. [200] In March Kauffman offered the following description, "The mansion is in good condition with the following columns of the front porch which are in a bad condition, the plastering of the ceiling of the porch is also in bad condition; it is badly cracked and in one place it has fallen off." [201] In June 1880 Kauffmann wrote, "The mansion is in good condition. The columns have been thoroughly repaired." [202]

On May 11, 1880, a severe hail storm damaged Arlington National Cemetery. On May 12 the depot quartermaster informed the quartermaster general that about $300.00 would be required to repair the damage. With regard to Arlington House, the depot quartermaster wrote:

"The glass in the greenhouse and conservatory [Room 116, South Wing] was broken, also on the north side of the mansion." [203]

In October 1880 Kauffman noted that the "outside woodwork [of the mansion] is now being painted." In November he wrote, "Mansion is in good condition. The entire outside has lately been painted and is now in first rate condition." [204]

m. Improvements in 1881

In his report for March 1881, Kauffman wrote:

The mansion is in good condition with the exception of the gutters and snowbreakes [sic] on the roof which need repairs. 440 feet of the new gutters are required . . . The two brick outbuildings, and stable near the mansion are in good condition. [205]

The snow breaks were apparently repaired in April. In July 1881 Kauffman reported, "All the gutters [on the mansion] are now being replaced by new ones." [206]

After inspecting Arlington House, Quartermaster General Meigs wrote the following memorandum on May 17, 1881:

. . . . The capitals of the front Portico of the mansion at Arlington are of wood & more or less decayed. When renewed they should be made of Portland cement with sharp sand . . . 1 [part] cement. 3 [parts] sand & their profiles should be cemented to resemble those of the Parthenon, which is the accepted canon of Grecian Ionic order. [207]

Meigs plan to replace the wooden capital with cement and to change the original Doric order to Ionic was never carried out. Montgomery C. Meigs was the first of a number of architects who have attempted to "improve" the original architectural plan. Meigs, however, never put his proposals into effect.

A brick water tower was erected to the west of the mansion in 1881 (see plan 18 for location.) [208]

n. Improvements in 1882

In his report for July 1882 Superintendent Kauffman remarked, "Some of the rooms occupied by the Superintendent [in the north wing] need repairing. The plaster has fallen off in some of the rooms and needs Kalsomining and painting." [209] These rooms were apparently refurbished during September, because in the report for that month he commented, "The mansion is in good condition . . . The new greenhouse is nearly complete. . . The Outhouses are in good condition." [210]

o. Improvements in 1883

In July 1883 Superintendent Kauffman reported, "The Mansion is in good condition with the exception of the columns on the front porch which are getting into bad condition again." Some of the rooms need some small repairs. The plaster has fallen off the ceiling. [211] The room repairs were apparently made in August, [212] but the conditions of the columns on the east portico were not correct until November 1883, when Kauffman reported the mansion, outbuildings, and stable all to be in good condition. [213]

p. Improvements in 1884

In his final report for Arlington Cemetery in February 1884 Superintendent Kauffman reported, "The mansion is in good condition with the exception of some of the rooms which need some plastering." [214] The next superintendent, Edwin M. Main, who reported for duty on April 15, 1884, commented in his first report, "The old mansion used as Superintendent's lodge is in good condition except some of the rooms on the second floor, which [are] requiring plastering." [215] The plaster in these rooms was "breaking away." [216]

(1) Cleaning Out Rubbish in Basement

During June 1884 Superintendent Main reported, "The accumulation of filth, debris and foul rubbish in the cellar under the old mansion, nearly one hundred cart loads, have been removed and the cellar thoroughly cleaned and white washed." [217]

(2) Repairs to Roof of Mansion

In June 1884 Main also reported that "the roof of the mansion leaks in several places to the injury of the plastering and slate (?), which some slight repairs are necessary." [218] This work got underway in September and was completed in October 1884. [219]

(3) Repairing and Repainting Interior of Mansion

Superintendent Main further reported in June 1884, "The inside of the building [the mansion] presents an upkept and somewhat dilapidated condition, the walls are marred and cracked, the wood work stained and dingy, which leads visitors to further deface the same. A small outlay for paints and Kalsomine would greatly aid to the internal appearance of the building and contribute largely to its preservation." He also suggested that "work could be done with the [cemetery] maintenance force." [220]

The mention of visitors indicates that the proposed work was to be done to the mansion's center hall, the white parlor, and Mrs. R.E. Lee's morning room, and the office and study in the south wing, all of which were open to the public. Work on this project got underway in September 1884 and was completed in November. In his report for the latter month, Superintendent Main commented, "The old mansion has been thoroughly renovated-plastered walls mended and Kalsomined. All inside woodwork painted." [221] In his October report he had noted, "The [cemetery work] force has. . .assisted with the work on the mansion." [222]

(4) Scraping and Painting Columns on East Portico

In October 1884 Main reported, "The columns of the mansion have been scraped down preparatory for painting" by the cemetery work force. [223] In November he reported that "the columns [had been] scraped and painted." [224] It should be noted that this 1884 scraping probably eliminated any remaining traces of the marbleization that had been placed on the eight east columns between 1853 and 1861.

(5) Slate Roof on Outbuilding

In August 1884 Main reported, "Outhouses are in very fair condition, except one building connected with the mansion, which needs a new roof." [225] In his September report Main was able to record, "One of the outbuildings connected with the mansion, mentioned in last report as being in bad condition, has been covered with a new slate roof, by direction of the Depot Quartermaster." [226]

(6) Removal of Old Summer Arbor in Flower Garden

In a letter to Lieutenant Colonel Batchelder, Deputy Quartermaster, Office of National Cemeteries, dated May 3, 1884, former Quartermaster General Meigs commented that "the wooden summer arbor which for so many years stood in the middle of the old Arlington garden, was now happily removed...." This observation suggests that this feature, which probably dated from pre-Civil War days, had been recently demolished. [227]

Arlington House had served as the residence of the cemetery superintendent and also as the cemetery office from 1864 to 1884. In 1885 Arlington House was to be remodelled for use as a two-family residence, with quarters for the landscape gardener located on the second floor of the main or center house.

4. Arlington House and the Quartermaster Corps, 1885-94

As has been mentioned, the Arlington National Cemetery monthly reports for the years January 1, 1885, to April 30, 1894, were not located in the records of the National Archives, and apparently they are no longer extant. Data for the repairs and improvements made to the Custis-Lee Mansion from 1885 to 1894 is thus not as extensive as that for the years 1867 to 1884.

a. Remodelling and Repair of Arlington House, 1885

On May 28, 1885, William Owen, engineer of the Washington Quartermaster Depot, informed Lieutenant Colonel R.N. Batchelder, Depot Quartermaster General in charge of National Cemeteries, that a number of repairs and improvements were proposed for Arlington House.

The repairs and cost estimates were:

Repairs

33 squares Slate roofing on Main Bldg. [mansion] @ 8-1/2	$280.50
13-1/2 squares Slate roofing on Outbuilding	114.50
Rehanging gutters & repairing Cornice	5.00
Replastering fallen ceiling, about 8 sq. yds. @ 50¢	4.00
2 New windows in South room @ $11 each	22.00
Total	$426.00

Note: Best quality I. C. tin roof, standing seams painted underneath with two coats of best mineral paint on outside, guaranteed against leakage, would in my opinion, be a better covering for so flat a roof (1/7th pitch) as recommended for the wings of the main building [Arlington House]. The outbuilding should be covered with slate to correspond with the other outbuilding reroofed last fall. The woodwork of this roof appears to be solid & would, probably, not have to be renewed. If it did, the extra cost would be about $100.

If tin be used instead of slate for main building deduct $100 making est. $326.00.

Improvements - viz - Fitting up 2 Story of Mansion for Quarters for Gardener:

1. Sink & Plumber connected with it	$58.50
2. Bath tub & plumbing connected with, indicating carpenter work	75.00
3. Water closet " "	22.00
4. Slat door & Gate at foot of stairs	3.00
5. Sundries	1.50
	$160.00

If sink alone be fitted up add $10 for extra waste pipe.

This estimate on plumbing is based on figures given me by Jas. Lockheart at 1308 Pa. Ave. [N.W., Washington, D.C.] & is for plain but first class work, guaranteed for 5 years & seems to me to be a very reasonable estimate.

The above estimate contemplates the furnishing by the U.S. of transportation for men & materials, as was done last fall -Otherwise the cost will be considerably increased.

The total cost of repairs & improvements according to the above estimate, will be -

If slate used on main building	$586.00
If tin used on main building	486.00
If woodwork of roof of outbuilding has been renewed add $100.
Total Estimate	$586.00
add for sheathing	90.00
added for contingencies on plumbing	14.00
Excavation by regular [cemetery] force. [228]	$690.00

This estimate was apparently held up until funds for the new fiscal year, beginning July 1, 1885, were received. On August 14, 1885, the "plain & estimate of improvements at Arlington National Cemetery," at an estimated cost of $690.00, was submitted to the quartermaster general for his consideration. [229]

On August 14, S. B. Holabird, Quartermaster General, U.S. Army, informed the depot quartermaster, Washington Depot:

Referring to the accompanying plans [which are missing] and specifications for certain improvements at the Arlington National Cemetery, you are authorized to have the roofing of Outbuilding and wings of Mansion renewed with slate, and to provide additional water and sewerage connections as recommended in report of Engineer, also to repair second story rooms of mansion, and ceiling and [two] windows of south room [rooms 112 or 117] on first floor, as recommended, at a total cost not exceeding six hundred and ninety dollars, and the allotment for this cemetery for the current fiscal year is hereby increased accordingly. [230]

On September 4, 1885, the Office of the National Cemeteries in Washington, D.C., advertised for bids on Arlington House. It was announced:

Sealed proposals, in duplicate, will be received at this office until 12 noon September 14, 1885, for furnishing work and materials required to repair and improve the mansion and outbuilding at Arlington National Cemetery, as per specifications thereon dated Office of National Cemeteries, Washington, D.C., September 3, 1885. The work required will be divided into three jobs, namely:

1st. For re-roofing outbuilding and wings of mansion, including all work connected therewith as specified in paragraph 1 of specifications referred to.

2nd. For all carpenter or other work, including plastering, specified in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of said specifications.

3rd. For all plumbing or other work specified in paragraph 7, of said specifications, including the furnishings of materials mentioned in connection therewith.

Bid may be submitted for the entire work as a whole or for one or more of the jobs separately. . . [231]

The Specifications "of Proposed Repairs and Improvements to Mansion and Outbuilding, at Arlington National Cemetery," read:

1. Remove sheathing and shingles from roofs of outbuilding and wings of mansion, indicated on accompanying drawing by red shaded lines. If any of the rafters are found to be rooten or out of line, or insufficient in number to support a slate roof, replace or correct them, make such additions as may be necessary.

Sheathe with common inch boards, well seasoned, and sound surfaced, and of uniformed thickness. To be laid with close joints and well nailed. Cover sheathing with best roofing felt -Slate with best No. 1 "Buckingham" slate 12" x 24" - 3" lap -10-1/2" to weather well nailed with galvanized nails. Finish in best manner at ridges.

Valleys to be properly tinned and chimneys flashed. Tin to be "IX charcoal" painted both sides, well soldered where necessary and made secure against leakage.

Overhaul present gutters and conductors and put then in thorough repair, including painting, if necessary.

Do any carpenter work and painting about the roofs, including repair of cornices, necessary to put the whole in proper order.

The whole to be done in a thoroughly complete and workmanlike manner and guaranteed against leakage for one year.

There will be about 46 squares of sheathing and slating.

2. Replace sash in two windows indicated, and repair, or renew, frames if necessary. Windows shown on drawing [Drawing missing]. The whole to be put in complete order, including painting.

3. Put up, where indicated on main stairway, a picket or baluster gate, about 3 ft. high, properly painted, hung, and furnished with a suitable hook.

4. Put up, where directed, a shelf about 12" x 12" x 1" with 1" x 4" strip and coat hooks underneath.

5. Where indicated put a double board partition with intermediate 2" x 4" studs. Boarding to be inch flooring beaded, of uniform widths, not over 4-1/2", in single lengths. Partition to be so constructed that it can be removed without injury to the walls. (The space to be covered about 70 sq. ft. and is arched at top).

Also substitute door for an existing window [in west or rear elevation of the north wing], with suitable frame. The brick wall being cut to receive it. The door to be 2'10" x 7", 1-3/4" thick, & to correspond in style with the neighboring door. To be properly hung and furnished with a plain mortice lock and bolt.

From sill of door and landing of existing steps construct suitable steps, with rail and balusters, if repaired.

The window and frame removed to be placed in the board partition above mentioned.

All dressed woodwork to receive 3 coats of oil paint.

6. Repair & replaster fallen ceiling to correspond with rest of ceiling-about 8 sq. yds.

7. Furnish & set up (1) one six foot 10 oz. bath tub. (2) One Stuber's patent, self acting water closet, with tank, urinal safe & walnut seat complete, or another approved closet equally good.

(3) One galvanized iron 18" x 30" sink.

All to be connected with existing water supply by 3/4" gal. iron service pipe, & waste through suitable pipes into vitrified drain pipe in cellar. All to be furnished with necessary traps, bibbs, & other fixtures. Allow for digging trench and layout about 68 ft. of 6" vitrified pipe.

Do all necessary carpenter work in casing bath tub and tank, and enclosing sink. Sink to be enclosed underneath with matched & beaded stuff and is to have a door, with proper hinges and catch.

Paint all dressed woodwork with 3 coats of oil paint, and tint as directed.

(4) Provide and set up a 30 gallon galvanized hot water tub, of approved make and quality and make necessary connections with range sink and bath tub.

In connection with the plumbing, the following is an approximate estimate of what will be required in addition to the articles mentioned above:

17 lin. ft. 3/4" gal iron service pipe	30 lbs of lead
32 lin. ft. 4" C.J. waste pipe	1/2 bbl cement
3 lin. ft. 4" C.J. Bends	68 lin. ft. 6" vit. drain pipe
7 lin. ft. 2" C.J. waste pipe	1 6" elbow ft. 3/4" stop
1 4" C.J. trap (closet)	2" thimbles
1 2" lead trap (sink)	15 ft. 2" gal. pipe & cap (ventilator to roof).
1 Bath tub plub - 1-1/2"
2 5/8" compression bibbs (bath)
1 stop & waste cock.

Drawing may be seen at Office of Depot Quartermaster, corner Pa. Ave.. & 15th St., Washington, D.C.

Six bids were received for the projects on September 14, 1885, one of which was for the plumbing only. The latter ranged from a low of $978.00 to a high of $1,363.00. These, with a "Memorandum on Estimate for Improvements at Mansion & outbuilding at Arlington," prepared by W.H. Owen, civil engineer, Washington Quartermaster Depot, were submitted to Lieutenant Colonel R.N. Batchelder on the 14th. In his memorandum, Owens wrote:

1. My Estimate on slating was based on cost of similar work at Arlington last fall. I was assured by an [sic] Slater that the price would be about the same this summer. The lowest bid, however, is 50¢ a square more than that price.

2. My Estimate of May 28th did not include sheathing & rafters for outbuilding. Subsequent examination showed that the north the woodwork of the roof would probably have to be renewed at a cost of about $100.

3. My estimate of Carpenter work about Cornice was small - $5. Bidders have probably put this in being an uncertain quantity at a much higher figure.

4. That Est. was made on the theory that the occupants of the second Story Quarters would use the main stairway. It was subsequently determined to open a new outlet through the Superintendent's Quarters [in the north wing], involving a double partition with a window in it, the substitution of a door with a frame for a window in an exterior wall [Room 101 and A in Flanker, first floor North Wing - see Plan No. 8], with a platform to connect it with existing outside steps (on west or rear side of North Wing).

5. The position of Kitchen Sink was changed from original plan, & a hot water boiler with accompanying pipe bibbs &c. were added - not originally estimated for. Some additional drain pipe was though desirable in order to waste into privy vault instead of into existing drain, as first intended.

These additions & changes ought not to cost over $200.

The lowest bid exceeds my estimate by $288-. This bid was probably as low as can be obtained. [233]

Thus, it was recommended that James B. Holiday's bid of $978.00 be accepted as the lowest bid.

On September 15, 1885, the quartermaster general informed the depot quartermaster, Washington Depot, "you are hereby to accept the bid of James B. Holiday at $978.00 for the job and allowance of $1.25 each for such of the rafters to the roof as it may be found necessary to renew." [234] During the fall of 1885 the wood shingle roofs of the north and south wings of Arlington House was covered with slate. Sheathing was replaced, rotten rafters renewed, and those found out of line straightened. The same type of work was done to the roof of one of the brick outbuildings located to the west of the mansion. Thus, by the end of 1885, both outbuildings had slate roofs, one of them having been slated in 1884. The valleys of the roof and chimneys of the mansion were tinned and flashed and the existing metal gutters and downspouts were repaired. The wooden cornices were also repaired or replaced and painted as necessary.

A gate about 3 feet high, with a lock, was installed on the main staircase in room 113 of the main house. A double board partition with intermediate 2" x 4" studs and containing an original window that was removed from the north side of the flanker (at A on plan no. 8) was erected in the arch between the flanker and the loggia so as to wall off room 101 of the flanker at A. Traces of this 4-1/2" wide partition wall were found on remaining walls in the 1981 architectural investigation of the pantry in the north wing. [235]

In the north wing, as just mentioned, the original window in the north wall of the flanker was removed and installed in a new partition wall to the east in 1885. The original brick wall of the original window opening was then cut down and a new door and frame, 2' 10" wide, 7' high, and 1-3/4" thick was erected in the former window. The new door was connected by a new wooden porch or "platform" to the existing west (or rear) porch and steps of the north wing (see plan no. 8). The new doorway provided the occupants of the second story apartment access to the upper floor by means of flanker A, which opened into the north stair hall in the main house. The north stair hall contained the original servants' stairway to the second floor. [236] The new door, porch, and wooden partition wall were all given three coats of oil paint.

In the white parlor the two windows in the east wall, including sash and frames, were apparently replaced by new ones with 12 over 8 double sashed windows with counterweights. [237] About 8 square yards of a fallen ceiling in this room were repaired and replastered in 1885.

On the second floor the bedrooms were renovated in 1885, and all dressed woodwork given three coats of oil paint. A 6 foot 10 inch long bathtub and a water closet were installed in the Lee girls' dressing room in the northwest corner of the main house. A ventilator comprised of a 15 foot long 2 inch galvanized iron pipe with cap led from the water closet to the roof.

The former bedroom (Lee girls' chamber) was made into a kitchen. A galvanized iron 18" by 30" sink and a 30 gallon galvanized hot water tank, together with a cooking range, were installed. The hot water tank was connected with the range sink in the kitchen and the bath tub in the bathroom. The kitchen sink, bath tub, and water closet were all connected with the existing water system by 3/4" galvanized iron pipe and by similar waste pipes to a vitrified drain pipe in the cellar. From the basement, 68 feet of 6" vitrified pipe, laid underground, led from the mansion to the vault of the privy, which was located to the northwest of the north wing.

The walls of the second floor rooms, with the exception of those in rooms 204 and 206, were painted. The walls in 206, Rhodes' parlor, were papered and those in room 204, the northeast bedroom, were left untouched in 1885. [238] Landscape gardener David H. Rhodes moved into his new quarters on the second floor of the main house in the late fall of 1885 where he would reside until 1929 (see plan no. 17 for the hypothetical floor plan of the second floor in 1885). The location of the existing sewer lines from the water closet in room 103 of the north wing and room 102 of the main house to the privy are shown on drawing no. 18—"Proposed Change in Sewer from Mansion, Arlington National Cemetery, Scale 10' = 1 inch. Depot Quartermaster Office, Washington, D.C., November 1896."

The Office of National Cemeteries, Quartermaster Corps, "Specifications and Estimates and Proposals for Road Construction, Earth Ways and Buildings at National Cemeteries, 1882-1889", indicates that no contracts, other than the September 15, 1885, agreement, were let for making repairs and improvements to Arlington House from 1885 to 1889. [239]

b. Exterior Painting and Murals in Main Hall, 1886

Harper's Weekly, on May 29, 1886, reported, "They have painted the old house [Arlington House] yellow lately — not a screaming yellow, but a soft, unobtrusive tint that is very consistent with its age..."

Of the three paintings in the center hall, it was commented:

A remarkable hunting scene in distemper forms a sort of frieze above the doors at the [west or rear] end of the main hallway. The dogs [in Panel C, Photo No. 3] are the leanest and the longest, the flying rabbit is the most apoplectic, the dying agonies of the many striped tiger (in Panel A) the most harrowingly realistic, in the whole range of post-Raphaelite art.

This is the proud handiwork of General Lee's father-in-law.

The third painting (Panel B) of the horseman and two hounds pursuing a stag near a waterfall is not mentioned.

c. New Greenhouse with Interior Cistern Erected, 1889

In the fall of 1888 a new greenhouse, which contained a cistern 6 by 4 by 24 feet to receive rain water from the roof, was erected at an approximate cost of $4,684.00. [240]

d. Description of Arlington House and Buildings, 1889

The superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, in a report dated January 9, 1889, described the cemetery buildings:

The old mansion on the height, a large two-story building built of brick with wooden gable. It is yellow washed and contains 14 rooms. There is a greenhouse built of brick and glass 100 feet long and 30 feet wide. Tool house and stable, one story and located west of the mansion. [241]

e. Exterior Color and Use of Rooms, 1892

On January 10, 1892, the New York Times described Arlington House as "the old yellow mansion of the Lees with its portico of columns...." Karl Decker and Angus McSween, in their booklet entitled Historic Arlington published in 1892, described the use of the rooms in Arlington House:

Over the main [east] entrance to the building hangs a sign, Superintendent's Office, and the door on the right [north] that opens from the hallway [room 111] leads to the apartments occupied by that official [rooms 108 and 109, plus the rooms in the north wing]. The upper floor of the building and the entire right [north] wing are taken up by the superintendent's apartments [the second floor of the main house was occupied by the gardener], and are not open to the public. The rooms on the left [south - rooms 112 and 114 and the rooms in the south wing] are always open, but they possess very little of interest . . A few shields, bearing appropriate inscriptions; pictures of two or three different sections of the grounds . . . are all that they contain. [242]

In 1891-92 "granolithic" or asphalt pavement was placed on the roads and walks around Arlington House. [243] The paved walks and roads located to the west and north of Arlington House are shown on plan no. 18, which was drawn in November 1896. In 1892 or 1893, the second floor rooms, except for rooms no. 204 and 206, were painted. [244]

5. Arlington House and the Quartermaster Corps, 1895-1904

Beginning in 1895 cemetery superintendents were required to submit quarterly reports, entitled "Estimate of Supplies, Tools, Repairs, etc., Required at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. . . ." The reports were prepared by the cemetery superintendent and submitted to the depot quartermaster, Washington Depot, who in turn sent it on to the Office of the National Cemeteries and the quartermaster general. Most of these reports, covering the years 1895 to 1904, are extant and therefore provide a detailed record of the repairs and improvements made to Arlington House during that period. [245]

a. Improvements in 1895

In his estimate for the quarter ending December 31, 1895, Superintendent A. B. Drum requested $51.00 for repairing the slate roofing of the mansion and $31.75 to repair the stoves and furnace used to heat Arlington House, including new pipe. The quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $82.55 for these two projects on October 17, 1895. [246]

b. Improvements in 1896

On August 21, 1896, Superintendent Drum requested and the quartermaster general approved the expenditure of $13.80 to repair the plumbing and water system of the mansion: $6.00 was for the plumber and helper and $7.80 for parts. [247] A heavy storm hit Arlington National Cemetery on September 29, 1896, and Drum reported to Major C. G. Humphry, Depot Quartermaster of the Washington Depot, on October 1 that 114 trees had been blown down. "The damage done to the buildings, gateways, monuments, &c. was but slight. Some slate was blown from the different roofs and some glass broken..." He estimated that the cost of repairs to buildings would be about $50.00. [248] In his estimate, submitted to the quartermaster general on October 9, Major Humphry estimated that the cost of repairing buildings from the storm damage would be $60.00:

For repair of slating, upon mansion, stable, outbuildings	$40.00
For repair of doors, windows, &c. on same bldgs.	20.00
	$60.00.

The quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $60.00 for repairs at Arlington on October 16, 1896. [249] On October 13 the quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $2.00 to buy a new grate of a "New Splendor" cook stove in Arlington House. [250] On November 3, 1896, Superintendent Drum also informed Major Humphry of problems with the Arlington House sewage system:

Obstructions in the sewer leading from the closets of the mansion (rooms 103 and 202), the sewage has backed up in the pipe and has run into the cellar and into the well (well located to west of north wing). I have had the pipe uncovered and the obstruction, which was a short bend of the pipe removed, and have had the well bucket taken off to prevent people from drinking at the well. I would recommend that this short line of pipe should be taken up and a new line laid encased in concrete. This would require cutting thru a granolithic pavement to the mansion [at the northwest corner]. From the strain in the pipe I think there can be no doubt that the joints are all broken. [251]

Depot Quartermaster Humphry had plan 18 drawn and in November submitted this drawing and an estimate in the amount of $181.10 for the work necessary to correct the sewage problems at Arlington House. His estimate read:

75	feet 4" E.H.C.I. soil pipe, @ 25¢ per ft.,	$ 19.50
3	Ys, 4" E.H.C.I., @ 75¢ each,	2.25
5	Bends, E.H.C.I. 4", @ 25¢ each,	1.25
2	brass plugs, 4" @ 75¢ each,	1.50
25	lbs. hemp packing @ 10¢ per lb.,	2.50
100	lbs. lead @ 5¢ per lb.,	5.00
140	feet 8" salt-glazed sewer pipe @ 10¢ per ft.,	14.00
1	Y, S.G.S. pipe, 6-inch,	.50	.60
3	- 1/8 bends, 6" S.G. sewer pipe @ 20¢ each,
Cement and sand,		4.00
Labor plumber,		65.00
Labor laborers,		65.00
Total,		$181.10 [252]

The new sewer line was apparently built in November or December 1896 as the sewage problem did not require further attention.

c. Improvements in 1897

On May 3, 1897, the quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $150.00 on three projects for Arlington House:

(1) Nine wire screens for windows in mansion	$ 10.00
(2) Painting pillars of front [east] portico	125.00
(3) Repairing steps to rear [west] porch to mansion	15.00
	$150.00 [253]

In August 1897 he also authorized the spending of an additional $100.50 for five projects:

(1) Scraping and painting six chimneys of mansion	$ 40.00
(2) Repairing front [east portico] steps	9.50
(3) Painting steps around front porch	20.00
(4) Painting two rear [west] porches	18.00
(5) Painting lattice work on three cellar doors	13.00
	$100.50 [254]

In 1896 or 1897, the quartermaster general directed Depot Quartermaster C.F Humphry, to "take steps to procure and set up at Arlington Mansion, a bronze label or tablet setting forth a brief history of the Arlington Estate and Cemetery. A design of the bronze tablet and a copy of the history sketch will be submitted for approval." [255]

John G. Osborne, in his Story of Arlington published in 1899, wrote, "In 1897 the U.S. Government placed in the hallway [room 111] at Arlington House two murial metallic tablets, containing a brief history of the estate and cemetery." [256]

Expenditures for the repair of stoves in 1897 indicate that there was an "Anti Clinker Hot Base Heating Stove" located "in the public office [room 117, south wing]" [257] and later that year $39.25 were used to fix "3 heating stoves and one range." [258]

d. Improvements in 1898

On April 8, 1898, the quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $172.00 on four projects at Arlington House:

(1) For painting treads of [west] steps in rear of mansion	$ 6.00
(2) For painting tin gutters all around roof of mansion one coat inside the two coats outside	50.00
(3) For repair of conservatory in mansion [room 116 in south wing], viz painting-$40.00; new sash bars-$15.00; new sill-$10.00; new plates-$18.00; new facia-$22.00, and new stud (?), $6.00	111.00
(4) For repairing leaks and putting old bath tub in gardener's [David H.] quarters [in Bath room 202 and 2nd floor] in servicable condition	5.00
	$172.00

An additional sum of $24.00 was spent to repair two hydrants which formed a part of the water system at the cemetery. [259]

In the estimate for the quarter ending September 30, 1898, Superintendent Drum requested:

One roll top desk 32" by 50" for use of Supt., very much needed	$25.00
Varnish both Comm. closet & tank	33.00
Mr. Rhodes quarters [on second floor main house]-
Enamel bath tub 5' 6", spigots & waste pipes	37.00
Change bath waste unit floor [room 202] and bath sit (?)	8.00
	$78.00

"This improvement is very much needed as the plumbing &c is in a very bad condition and injurious to health." The quartermaster general alloted $78.00 for these projects on July 2, 1898, thus enabling gardener David H. Rhodes to receive a new bathtub in 1898. [260]

On August 17, 1898, the quartermaster general also provided the depot quartermaster with $15.00 to make necessary repairs to the roof of the mansion. [261] The quartermaster further allotted $30.00 on October 13 to carry out two projects:

(1) For new kitchen sink [room 104] in supt.'s quarters [in north wing], with drip board, lead trap and new spigots, the present sink being very old and worn out	$18.00
(2) For sweeping chimneys of mansion foul with swallow nets and soot. Six large double and triple chimneys. The work of a professional chimney sweep	12.00
	$13.00 [262]

e. Improvements in 1899

Between January 1 and May 3, 1899, the quartermaster general to repair or approved the expenditure of a total of $438.00 for 11 projects improve Arlington House: [263]

1. For one upright boiler for range in supt.'s quarters [room 104, north wing] to replace one in use which is leaking and is beyond repair	$14.00
2. Laying new floor in front room [Room 115?-south wing] of public office, com. grain (?) Ga. pine 5/4" thick	72.00
3. New frame for basement window	4.00
4. New floor in bath [room 102] & closet (room 103) in Supt.'s quarters [north wing] of 5/4" Ga. pine	15.00
5. New tub and bowl in bath room [Room 102] in supt.'s quarters, present ones worn out	78.00
6. New outside door in rear [west side] of supt.'s quarters, 1-3/4" special made and painting same	11.00
7. Kalsomining walls and ceiling in front rooms [probably rooms 108 and 109] and painting wood work 2 coats lead and oil in supt.'s quarters	50.00
8. Scraping & kalsomnining walls & ceiling in rear room [106 or 107?] & bath [Room 102] & closet [room 103] 1 coat lead & oil in supt.'s quarters	40.00
9. Scraping and painting [east] columns in front of mansion two coats lead and oil	125.00
10. Scrape & putty front [east] steps & paint two coats lead & oil	16.00
11. Scrape and putty rear [west] steps and paint 2 coats leads & oil	13.00
	$438.00

In addition, 18 oak arm chairs were purchased for the public office for $27.00. [264]

The extensive repair and repainting of the superintendent's quarters in the north wing induced gardener David Rhodes to write to Depot Quartermaster Colonel T. E. True on June 1, 1899, requesting that his apartment on the second floor of Arlington House receive equal attention, Rhodes wrote:

I have the honor to request that the several rooms, hallways, etc. composing the quarters occupied by me on the upper floor of the Mansion in this Cemetery be redecorated.

It is nearly seven years [1892?] since the walls, ceilings, etc., in all the rooms - except one, were painted. The one room excepting, i.e., the front bedroom [(Room 204) in Northeast corner], has never had any renovation of any kind during the last 13 years of my occupancy of these quarters.

Some little plastering is needed in some of the rooms - and all the rooms etc. that were painted, need it again - not only for the sake of appearance, but also for sanitary reasons.

The bedroom [room 204] above referred to should in my opinion - be papered to correspond with the room opposite [room 206] at an estimated cost of $16. And the remainder of the rooms, etc. comprising a surface area of about 5,250 sq. ft., should be painted two coats at an estimated cost of $80.

I respectfully request and recommend that an allotment of $100 be made to do the plastering, painting and papering needed to put the quarters in good sanitary condition. [265]

The quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $100.00 to repair David H. Rhodes' quarters on June 13, 1899. [266] Between July 1 and December 31, 1899, the quartermaster general approved the expenditure of an additional $421.85 on eight projects at Arlington House: [267]

1. Painting outside wood work of mansion two coats lead & oil	$310.35
800 lbs. Lewis lead $43.00 40 gals. raw linseed oil 23.50 15 gals. turp., 3 gals. dryer 2.25 50 lbs. putty 1.60 20 lbs. chrom yellow, $4.40, 15 lbs. lamp black, $2.70; 75 days work at $3.00 per day 225.00
	$310.35
2. Putting up new snow breaks on roof of mansion and painting same	20.00
3. Window shades 4' x 9' "Oswago Opaque" to replace four worn out in place at $1.50 each	6.00
4. Cocoa Door mats 22" x 36" to replace two worn out, Extra brush No. 5	3.50
5. Chimney sweep, cleaning eight chimneys	12.00
6. Replacing slate where broken on roof	15.00
7. For galv. iron top for chimney of mansion	35.00
8. For replacing broken slate on roof	20.00
	$421.85

On September 21, 1899, Superintendent Drum wrote to Depot Quartermaster Colonel True, requesting an additional allotment of $18.00 to paint two rooms in the north wing. Drum explained:

. . . two rooms in my quarters that are considerably smoked by a bad chimney [should be] painted at this time, while the painters are here [painting the exterior] as the cost will be less than if painted later after they have moved their tools, &c. away. The cost will be for labor only as there are enough materials here.

Two painters, 3 days at $3.00 per day each

$18.00

The quartermaster general approved the expenditure of $18.00 for this purpose on September 27, 1899. [268] A total of $977.85 was thus allotted for work on 21 projects at Arlington House during 1899. These expenditures may be grouped as follows:

Work on south wing and items for visitors	$ 86.50
Work on repairing roof and chimneys	102.00
Painting exterior of mansion	464.25
Improving superintendent's quarters	266.00
Improving gardener's quarters	100.00
	$977.85

In his The Story of Arlington published in 1899, John B. Osborne emarked of the mansion's rooms, "The only rooms now open to inspection are the unfurnished ones on the ground floor, to the left [south] of the hall [center hall], the remainder of the house being occupied by the Superintendent of Cemetery and family." [269]

f. Improvements in 1900

During 1900 the quartermaster general allotted a total of $109.62 for eight projects at Arlington House: [270]

(1) Repairing foundation to mansion on account of soft brick falling out in cellar	$ 15.00
(2) Painting treads of steps of mansion, 100 lbs., white lead @ $6.50, 4 gals. raw linseed oil @ $2.50	9.10
(3) Repairing tin spouting of mansion	7.00
(4) Putting fire brick back in fireplace of mansion	6.00
(5) Sweeping chimney	12.00
(6) Painting kitchen [room 104] & painting in supt.'s quarters [north wing], 2 coats lead and oil 200 lb. white lead - $14.00, 10 gals. raw linseed oil, $6.90, 14 days labor, $17.50	38.30
(7). Painting one large chimney of mansion, 100 lbs white lead, $7.00; 4 gals raw linseed oil, $2.72, 2 days labor, $2.50	12.22
(8). Repairing and rehanging tin gutters on north and northeast sides of the mansion, labor and material	10.00
Total allotted in 1900	$109.62

In addition, on June 29, 1900, the expenditure of $6.80 was approved to purchase a "rope and bucket for the well." [271]

g. Improvements in 1901

During 1901 the quartermaster general approved the expenditure of a total of $207.20 for making fourteen repair or improvement projects at Arlington House: [272]

(1) Painting pillars in front [east elevation] of Mansion two coats lead and oil	$ 64.50
(2) Painting inside and out front [east] and rear [west] hall [room 111] doors of mansion	8.00
(3) Painting patches in hall [room 111] defaced by dampness	5.00
(4) Painting two rear [west] porches	12.00
(5) Painting patches in south room [rooms 112 or 115] defaced by dampness	15.00
(6) Burn off old paint on 2 rear [west] porches	5.00
(7) Painting 3 rear [west] doors & lattice [cellar doors]	4.00
(8) Painting conservatory door [room 116, south wing]	1.00
(9) Repairing slate roof of mansion	20.00
(10) Painting steps around front [east] porch	9.80
(11) Repair of bad leaks in roof of mansion	50.00
(12) New sill for door in basement	3.00
(13) New screen door to replace one now worn out	5.00
(14) New seat on water closet (room 202) in Rhodes quarters	4.00
Total allotted in 1901:	$207.20

Expenditures for repair of stoves in 1901 reveal that Superintendent Drum had a "The Bridge #8" cooking range in his kitchen (room 104) and the gardener a "new splendid #8" cooking range situated in his kitchen (room 203) on the second floor. "The Anti-Clinker Hot Base Stove" was also functioning in the public office (room 117). [273] In addition to the cooking range, the superintendent had at least two other stoves in his quarters. [274]

h. Improvements in 1902

During 1902 the quartermaster general made a total of fourteen allotments totaling $864.00 for repairs and improvements to Arlington House. These included: [275]

(1) Painting entire outside of mansion, including portico, ceiling, pillars, &c. 2 coats lead & oil	$387.00
(2) Repairing plaster on outside of mansion	15.00
(3) Painting walls, ceilings and all wood work complete as far as heretofore been painted in public portion of mansion 2 coats lead and oil [rooms 112, 115, 117] south wing.	272.00
(4) Repair plaster on ceiling of basement now falling in supt.'s quarters [under north wing]	18.00
(5) Repair plaster on ceiling of dining room [room no. 106] now falling of in supt.'s quarters	4.00
(6) Repair spouting	10.00
(7) One pair of screen doors at supt.'s office [room 117] in public rooms (in south wing)	18.00
(8) Two window screens at supt.'s office in public room [room 117] in south wing	6.00
(9) One screen door in supt.'s quarters [west side-north wing]	6.00
(10) Plastering ceilings in cellar and cellar halls underneath supt.'s quarters [Rooms BO-1, BO-2, BO-3 in north wing] for stripping, lathing and plastering	78.00
(11) Cleaning chimneys of mansion	14.00
(12) Repair to public water closet, broken hinges, and partition broken in ladies' toilet [located to west of mansion]	16.00*
(13) Repair of range-Bride #8, near firebox and grate in supt.'s quarters [Room 104] put in place	8.00*
(14) For repair to well house in rear [to west] of mansion	12.00*
Total alloted in 1902:	$864.00

i. Improvements in 1903

During 1903 Superintendent Drum requested and received a total of $637.50 to fund seven projects for work on Arlington House: [276]

(1) To rebuild steps [dating from 1874] around the front [east] portico of the mansion	$247.00
(2) To rebuild two porches [dating from 1874] on the west [rear] side of the mansion	191.00
(3) To repair east & west entrance door to main hall [Room 111] of mansion	6.00
(4) Put new sash in cellar windows	6.50
(5) Putting new slate on roof of mansion to stop leaks	25.00
(6) Cleaning chimneys of mansion	24.00
(7) For painting 2 coats of lead and oil Mr. Rhodes' quarters [on the second floor] in Arlington Mansion	138.00
	$637.50

j. Improvements in 1904

During 1904 Superintendent Drum requested and received funds for seven repair and improvement projects totalling $119.00 for Arlington House: [277]

(1) For purchase of wire screen for basement windows of mansion	$ 5.00
(2) For painting the pillars on the front [east] porch of the mansion 2 coats of white lead and linseed oil	65.00
(3) Repair of broken slate on roof	12.00
(4) 75 feet of sash cord for windows, 2 reversible door locks	2.50
(5) For repair of window blinds on mansion	2.00
(6) For repairs by Charles Lockwood & Co., plumber, to upright boiler for range [room 104] in supt.'s quarters. A leak appeared and was flooding house	2.50
(7) For sweeping of chimneys at mansion	30.00
	$119.00

Major W. T. Wood inspected Arlington House and Cemetery and reported to the inspector general, on April 28, 1904, "The National Cemetery at Arlington contains 408-1/30 acres and the total number of burials was 19,734." Supt. A. B. Drum, he noted, had been in charge of the cemetery since November 1892. Concerning the buildings, he reported, "The mansion occupied by the superintendent and landscape gardener is in good condition, and is being repaired. The outhouses are in good order." [278]

On July 23, 1904, the quartermaster of the Washington Depot informed the quartermaster general, "The [pre-Civil War] stable at Arlington National Cemetery was partially destroyed by fire at 12:30 a.m. on the morning of July 22, 1904, and the public property contained therein was destroyed, together with one public horse." [279] Damage was so severe that the stable had to be demolished.

As a result of the destruction of the stable it was decided to improve the fire-fighting system by extending water mains and erecting hydrants near the mansion. Map No. 5, dated December 24, 1904, was a preliminary plan made for the purpose of these improvements. While the improvements shown on the plan were never made, the map does show the grounds and outbuildings around Arlington House.

k. Summary of Expenditures for Repairs and Improvements, 1895-1904

From January 1, 1895, to December 31, 1904, a total of $3,725.57 was allotted by the quartermaster general for 91 repair and improvement projects at Arlington House (excluding money for repairs of stoves, furnace, and purchase of furniture). The funds were spent at the following annual rates:

Expenditures for Repair and Improvements, 1895-1904, at Arlington House
Year	No. of Projects	Amount Approved
1895	1	$51.00
1896	3	254.90
1897	8	250.50
1898	10	295.00
1899	21	977.85
1900	8	109.62
1901	14	207.20
1902	11	828.00
1903	7	637.50
1904	7	119.00
Total:	91	$3,725.57

An approximate total of $2,443.27 was expended on exterior repairs and improvements to Arlington House from 1895 to 1904:

Roofs: $248.00 for repair slate roofs and $20.00 for a new snow breaker.

Tin Gutters: $50.00 painting and $27.00 for repairing gutters.

Exterior Painting: $310.25 in 1899 for painting exterior woodwork only; $387.00 for complete painting of exterior in 1902, plus $15.00 for repair of plaster.

Painting eight columns on East Portico, scraping and painting in 1897 and 1899, Total: $380.40.

East Portico wooden steps: For repair, $9.50, for door mats $3.50. For rebuilding in 1903, $247.00, and for painting $54.90, Total: $314.90.

Two Wooden Porches on West elevation: $15.00 for repair, $191.00 for rebuilding in 1903; $57.00 for painting, Total: $263.00

Chimneys: For painting $52.22, replacing brick in fireplace, $6.00, cleaning chimneys, $104.00, for iron tops to chimneys, $35.00. Total: $197.22.

Plumbing: Repairing, $13.80, constructing new sewer line, 1896, $181.10. Total: $184.90.

See Chart 1 for other items listed at bottom of chart.

(click on image for a PDF version)

(click on image for a PDF version)

(click on image for a PDF version)

Approximately $1,236.30 was spent from 1895 to 1904 for making repairs and improvements to the interior of Arlington House (See Charts No. 2 and 3). In the public rooms of the center and south wings, the money was expended: main hall (room 111) $19.00; rooms 112 and 115, $87.00, including new Georgia pine floors; room 116, the Conservatory, $112.00 for new glass, painting, and carpenter work in 1898; room 117, supt.'s office, $24.00 for one pair of screen doors and two window screens; and for painting all these rooms in 1902, $227.00. Expenditures totalled about $469.00 for public rooms.

In the superintendent's quarters on the first floor of the north wing some $298.00 were spent: $146.30 for painting; $112.50 for plumbing; $15.00 for new Georgia pine flooring in 1899; $4.00 for plaster repair; and $17.00 for two screen doors.

On the second floor of main house, in the gardener's quarters, a total of $325.00 was spent: $238.00 for painting in 1899 and 1903 and $87.00 for plumbing.

In the basement a total of $147.50 were spent for the following purposes: $17.00 for painting three cellar doors and their lattice work; $10.50 for new window frames; $5.00 for wire window screens; $15.00 for repairing brick foundations, $4.00 for a new door sill; and $96.00 for plastering the cellar ceiling under the north wing.

6. Arlington House and the Quartermaster Corps, 1905-14

a. Improvements in 1905

Beginning on January 1, 1905, the quarterly estimates of supplies disappear in the files of the National Archives, and it is necessary to draw on other documents for repairs and improvements that were made to Arlington House during the years 1905 to 1914. The evidence found indicates that at least $295.00 were alloted by the quartermaster general during 1905 for work on Arlington House.

The roof of the mansion was damaged by snow, and on February 24, 1905, T. H. Humphry, civil engineer, informed the depot quartermaster, Captain A. W. Butt:

I have examined the damage done by ice and snow sliding off the main roof of the mansion to roofs of the wings of mansion . . . .

The snow breaker on side of mansion roof is broken off; that on the south side is loose, also 122 pieces of slate (14" x 24") are broken on wings of building, and should be immediately repaired to avoid damage to ceilings of rooms.

He estimated the cost of repair at $40.00. On February 29, 1905, the quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $40.00 "for repair of damage to roof by falling snow." [280]

In March one of the water pipes in the cellar of the mansion burst from the cold and had to be repaired. Charles Lockwood & Co. was paid $6.00 for this work. [281]

On August 16, 1905, the Arlington National Cemetery gardener wrote to Superintendent B. Drum.

Your attention is respectfully invited to the fact that there is a number of very bad leaks in the slate roof of the Mansion at this Cemty.

One of the leaks is at a point several feet north of the east chimney on the south side of the upper floor of Mansion.

Another is located at the east chimney on the north side of the upper floor of mansion.

Another one is located at or near the ridge of the roof and about 6 or 8 feet from west end of same. The ceiling in the S.E. room [Lee boys' chamber] and the north wall in N.E. room [Mary and Markie's chamber] of my quarters are badly stained by said leaks. [282]

On August 19, 1905, Superintendent Drum informed the depot quartermaster of the Washington Depot:

I have the honor to state in reply to your letter of the 16th inst. requesting detailed statement in regard to my estimates for painting this fiscal year, that the painting of the outside woodwork and the tin work of the mansion, which consists of the cornice and gable ends of the building, doors and door frames, window frames and sashes, porches, steps, balusters and lattice work, together with spouting & gutters and metal coverings of pillars, and cornice, and around chimney. It will be two years next spring since this work was done, for which time this estimate was made. If this work is not done every two years the buildings present a very shabby appearance. For this same reason was the estimate made for painting the pillars of Mansion, temple of fame, well house, amphitheatre, tank house and flag staff, especially the amphitheatre and flagstaff. The work on the amphitheatre should be done in March before the vines put out.

The Superintendent's Quarters have not been painted for seven years, that is in 1898, and now need painting badly. Two of the rooms and a hall were washed with alabastine which is scaling off. These rooms need to be scraped and painted. The cost would be about the same as if washed with alabastine and much more durable. I hope this work may be done in October next. [283]

This report was sent to the quartermaster general on August 22. On August 29 the quartermaster general granted authority to the depot quartermaster to expend $35.00 for making repairs to the slate roof of the mansion. [284] With regard to painting the mansion, the quartermaster general, on September 20, 1905, made an allotment of $200.00 for:

Scraping and painting walls and ceilings in Supt.'s quarters	$170.00
For Smoothing plaster as recommended by Mr. Brosius (Civil Engineer)	30.00
	$200.00

Action on the remaining items was to be deferred until following spring. [285]

On November 7, 1905, the quartermaster general authorized the payment of $12.00 in emergency repairs to one of the heating stoves for Superintendent Drum's quarters. The stove, a "Radiant Home" type, was broken while being carried up from storage in the basement of the mansion. [286]

On November 7 the quartermaster also authorized the expenditure of $2.00 for emergency repairs to a "pipe leading from the kitchen sink [room 104 in the north wing or 203 on second floor] which is stopped up and has broken loose from the sink." [287]

b. Improvements in 1906

Minor expenditures in 1906 included the following items:

Three dollars to repair the water closet in the superintendent's quarters [room 103] when the coupling between "the pipe for flushing and the bowl" broke and "flooded the place." [288]

In December 1906 the new Superintendent H. C. Magoon, "was compelled to put up a stove in dining room [Custis chamber—north wing]. The fireplace in that room was bricked up at a cost of $3.00. [289]

(1) New Guttering and Spouting for Mansion

On March 13, 1906, Captain A. W. Butt, Quartermaster, Washington Depot, advertised for bids to place new guttering and spouting on Arlington House. The five bids, which were opened on March 23, 1906, ranged from a low of $235.00 to a high of $308.00. On March 24 Captain Butt wrote to the quartermaster general recommending that the low bid of Daniel R. Stansburg, Furnaces, Ranges and Tin Roofs, 1306 New York Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., in the amount of $235.00, be accepted. The recommendation was approved by the quartermaster general, and the contract was awarded to Stansburg. [290]

Based on the specifications, the contractor did the following work on Arlington House:

Remove all of the present gutters, gutter hooks and spouts from the main building, wings and conservatory [room 116], and erect in their place new gutters, gutter hooks and downspouts as follows: - about 480 feet 8" gutters, 170 wrought iron hooks, 150 feet 5" downspout with 25 elbows for same, 25 feet 6" spout with 4 elbows for same, two 6" spoutheads and two 6" cistern cut-offs.

All gutter downspouts, elbows, etc. to be made of #24 B.W.G. galvanized iron, and gutter hooks to be made of 1/4" x 1-1/4" wrought iron. Slate to be carefully removed for hooks and replaced, renewing all slate broken in operation.

Work to commence at once on receipt of notice of award, and to be completed with[in] 30 days thereafter. [291]

(2) Painting Exterior of Mansion

On April 6, 1906, Captain A. W. Butt, Quartermaster in charge of the Washington Depot, advertised for bids to be opened on April 16 to paint the Arlington mansion and its surrounding outbuildings. The project involved the following work:

The work covered by these specifications consists in painting all pillars, outside wood and metal work on mansion house, including reglazing of conservatory [room 116] attached to mansion.

Painting all outside woodwork of two sets of servants quarters situated directly to the rear of mansion.

Painting all wood and metal work of two public toilets, both inside and out.

Painting water tank and well house, well house to be painted inside and out.

Painting Temple of Fame inside and out, including relettering.

Painting amphitheatre and rostrum complete, including all brickwork.

All white lead used to be Lewis' or equal. [292]

Seven bids were received and opened on April 16, 1906. These ranged from $675.00 to $1,050.00. Captain Butt recommended that the low bid of Joseph C. Murray be accepted. His bid of $675.00 read:

Inviting proposals for painting at the Arlington National Cemetery, April 6, 1906.

For painting mansion	$ 225.00
servants quarters	65.00
for toilets	20.00
for well house	10.00
water tank	23.00
Amphitheatre & rostrum	275.00
Temple of Fame	70.00
Total	$675.00 [293]

On April 19 the quartermaster general authorized the award of the painting contract to Joseph C. Murray for $675.00. [294]

Based on the specifications, with regard to the mansion all "outside wood and metal work" was "to be painted two coats pure white lead and linseed oil, tinted as directed." Eight pillars supporting [the east] portico were "to be painted two coats." "All loose or cracked paint" was to be removed and pointed "up before painting." "All glazing" was to be "done to conservatory [room 116] where required at southwest corner of mansion . . . ." [295]

(3) Central Steam Heating System for Mansion

In his inspection report for Arlington National Cemetery, June 20, 1906, Major G. H. G. Gale informed the inspector general:

Heating plant of Lodge. A heating plant for the old mansion would be a great convenience and probably reduce the danger from fire. This is an historic building and should be safeguarded in every way possible.

In the second endorsement to this report, dated August 3, 1906, the depot quartermaster noted that "a heating plant for mansion has been authorized by Congress but instructions to proceed with the work have not yet been received." [296]

Congress had appropriated $12,000.00 to make improvements at Arlington National Cemetery, which included a new heating system for the mansion, construction of a stable, and installation of a new water system. On September 13, the depot quartermaster wrote to the quartermaster general regarding these projects:

Who will prepare plans and estimates for a new stable at Arlington Cemetery, also for installation of water system and for placing a heating system in the lodge [Arlington mansion]. Congress has made an appropriation of $12,000 for the above . . . [297]

The plans and estimates, it was decided, were to be produced in the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington, D.C., based on information supplied by Captain A. W. Butt, Depot Quartermaster, Washington Depot. Thus, on September 18, 1906, Butt transmitted to the quartermaster general a "plan [floor plan] of mansion house drawn to scale." [298] On September 21 the quartermaster general asked the depot quartermaster "to furnish information as to the number of sizes of flues in the chimneys of the mansion and that the size be indicated on the basement [cellar] plan of the building." [299]

On October 26, 1906, the quartermaster general transmitted ten copies of the plans, "Drawing No. SPL - 2 - 766 - [Blueprints] Steaming Heating for Lee Mansion, Arlington National Cemetery. Prepared by Quartermaster Generals Office and dated October 1906" to Captain Butt. He also submitted specifications prepared by his office "for the installation of a heating system in the basement of Arlington House" to Butt. [300]

Drawings SPL-2-766 are the earliest known extant floor plans of Arlington House, including basement, and first and second floor plans. In addition to showing the locations of the new furnace and radiators, they indicate how each room in the mansion was then being used. These important plans are included in this study as Plan No. 19 [Sections A, B, and C]. Pages 7 to 15, printed, "Specifications for Steam Heating Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia [for] Plans No. 2-766 Special" may be found in Plan No. 2 of this report. [301]

On December 10, 1906, the quartermaster general instructed the depot quartermaster to award the contract "for this work to E.J. Febrey & Co. the lowest bidder, who proposes to do the work complete for . . . . $1,735.00." Of the three types of boilers which Febrey & Co. proposed to furnish, the depot quartermaster was to "provide in the contract for the installation of a Model No. 40-6 Boiler, made by Model Heating Company of Philadelphia." [302] The contract was signed and dated December 12, 1906. [303] Under the specifications, the contractor was to perform the following construction work in the basement of the mansion:

Boiler Pit. Construct a boiler pit of size and section shown of concrete composed of one part best Portland cement, three parts of sand and five of broken stone not larger than will pass a 2-inch mesh screen, properly mixed and placed in position. The floor and walls to be covered with a finished coat 1/2 inch thick, composed of one part Portland cement and two parts sand troweled to a smooth surface, the finishing coat to extend over top of walls; base is to be kept wet until finishing coat is applied and must be well cleaned before applying same. Form a water-tight sump in corner of pit of diameter shown and 24 inches deep of similar concrete and finishing coat; top of sump to be fitted with a removable cast-iron grating let in flush with surface.

Chase. Form a chase in floor extending from wall to boiler pit and of proper size the walls and floor to be 4 inches thick of similar concrete to pit troweled smooth on inside and with finishing coat on top of walls. Top of chase to be covered with 3/4-inch cast-iron rabbeted plates with roughened surface; plates to be let in flush with top of walls.

59. Door. Cut an opening between boiler and coal rooms of size shown, neatly rebuilding masonry jambs.

(4) New Benches for Conservatory (Room 116), South Wing

In the conservatory [room 116] of the south wing the contractor was to "remove the present flower benches in conservatory and build new benches of same size [25' x 3' and 25' x 6'] and construction as at present, using clear heart yellow pine. The bench next to windows to sit 1-1/2 inches away from wall." [304]

(5) Installation of Telephone

On November 12, 1906, the quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $75.00 to cover the cost of materials to be purchased for the new telephone line. Actual installation was to be done by U.S. Signal Corps personnel. [305] The line ran from the Ft. Myer switchboard to the mansion via the base hospital

c. Improvements in 1907

(1) New Stable

Plans for the new stable, dated December 10, 1906, were produced by the Office of the Quartermaster General. The plans provided for a stable to be "67' 8" long by 34' 4" wide, built of brick on stone foundation, with concrete footings; it is to have a slate roof, also loft for storage for forage, etc., and is to be provided with 16 single stalls and 1 box stall to accommodate 17 animals all told." [306] The contract for the new stable, in the amount of $6,495.00, was awarded to R. E. Boiseau of Washington, D.C., the low bidder, on February 13, 1907. [307] Money for the construction of this building came from the appropriation of $12,000 made by Congress in 1906.

(2) New Water System for Fire Protection

On March 2, 1907, a civil engineer submitted a plan and specifications "for fire service for Arlington National Cemetery" to Major M. Gray Zalinski, depot quartermaster. The plan read:

The scheme provides for 100 feet of hose and rack in the west hall of mansion [rooms 110 or 113?] and fire hydrants as shown on plan for mansion house and stables; the supply mains to be 4 inch cast iron pipe from the end of the present 4 inch main southwest to mansion house and the 4 inch main south of the stables, and for circulation are connected with the two inch pipes as shown.

Also 300 feet of fire hose and a hose cart are provided, as the standard 500 hose cart of the quartermaster depot is thought too heavy to be handled by the number of men likely to be immediately available at the cemetery in event of fire. The hydrant and hose couplings are to consist [of same in use] . . . at Fort Myer.

The scheme is drawn to construct with the balance of about $3,600 remaining from the $12,000 for heating main house, building a new stable which are now under contract, and a fire system for Arlington. [308]

On March 20, 1907, the quartermaster general sent the depot quartermaster amended plans and specifications which he had approved. He noted, "The proper location of the pipe lines has been changed, as shown in red on the inclosed blueprint of plan so as to avoid disturbing the slope in front [east] of the mansion." The plan as revised provided for two hydrants near the main entrance of the mansion." [309]

Proposals to construct the revised water system for fire fighting were opened on May 20. Two were received: one for $2,282.56 and the other for $1,888.00. Major Zalinski recommended that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, the McCoy Engineering Company of Baltimore, Md. [310] On May 27, 1907, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster of the Washington Depot to award the contract to the McCoy Company for $1,888.00. [311]

For the "Map Showing Location of New Fire Mains For the Arlington Nat. Cemetery, Drawing No. H-12 (blueprint), D.Q.M.O., Washington, D.C. March 1907," see Map No. 6. Two pages of printed specifications accompanied the contract and plan. Extracts relating to work in the mansion follow: [312]

33. Supply Pipe. Lay from the 4-inch water pipe at the point shown on plan, or indicated by the officer in charge, to the riser in the Mansion House a 3-inch extra-heavy galvanized-iron pipe, connection to be made with a suitable approved coupling. All fittings for the 3-inch pipe to be extra-heavy galvanized iron. The pipe in the basement to be laid in a chase from foundation wall to riser. Place at point directed near the 4-inch pipe, one 3-inch gate valve with extension box; all to be as specified for "Valves," valves to have long stem, with nut to fit long keys; also provide two approved short keys to fit valve stem nuts, to be of length directed, to be nickel plated. Provide approved nickel-plated hook to carry keys, and place at location directed.

34. Chase. Form a chase in floor extending from foundation wall to riser, to be in the clear 8 inches wide by 10 inches deep, walls and floor to be 4 inches thick of concrete made of one part approved American Portland cement to two and one-half parts sharp, clean sand to five parts clean gravel or broken stone not larger than a 2-inch cube. Exposed and interior surfaces to be plastered smooth and true with mortar composed of one part approved American Portland cement to two parts of sharp, clean sand. The top of chase to be covered with 5/8-inch cast-iron plates 10 inches wide, with rough top surface and rabbeted 1 inch into walls and to be flush with tops. End plate to fit around and to be cut on cross center line of riser.

35. Replacing Floor. Replace floor of basement where disturbed by the work, to correspond with the present floor, as directed by the officer in charge.

36. Riser. Place riser in east side of northwest hall of first floor, at location directed, to run from supply pipe in basement through floor to be 3-inch galvanized-iron pipe; pipe and couplings to be is specified for "Supply Pipe." Riser to be perpendicular and secured firmly to wall in an approved manner, and to be provided with a hose rack and valve, set at suitable heights above the floor, as directed by the officer in charge, and to have an approved nickel-plated floor plate secured in place by screws. Wall where disturbed to be repaired as directed by the officer in charge.

37. Hose Rack. Furnish and secure to riser by approved clamps, at height as directed above the floor, one hose rack, equal to the Hump Swinging hose rack shown in James Boyd & Bro.'s Catalogue No. 8, of capacity of 100 feet of 2-1/2-inch mill hose.

38. Valve. Furnish and set on riser at height as directed, one bronze-mounted, nickel-plated, approved single valve, with coupling to fit hose couplings.

39. Hose. Furnish and place in hose rack 100 feet of 2-1/2-inch seamless, circular woven one-ply fabric rubber-lined mill hose, equal to Eureka, shown in James Boyd & Bros.' Catalogue No. 8, hose to be provided with an approved 3/4-inch nozzle and the necessary couplings. The threads of couplings and nozzle to correspond and to fit the hose couplings now in use at Fort Myer, Va. Couplings and nozzle to be brass and nickle plated.

40. Testing. Pipe to be tested at 100-pound pressure, as directed and approved by the officer in charge.

41. Painting. All exposed pipes and the hose rack to be primed with yellow paint free from oil and finished in aluminum bronze. Pipe in chase and chase plates to be given two coats of asphaltum varnish. [313]

As the contract had not cost as much as expected, the quartermaster corps prepared a second project called "Extension to Fire System". On June 17, 1907, the bids for this work were opened and on June 21, 1907 the quartermaster general approved the award of this contract to the lower bidder, the Newport Plumbing, Heating and Tinning Co. Inc. of Newport News, Virginia for $1,495.00. [314] This second contract did not involve any work at Arlington House. It was dated June 25, 1907 and involved the laying of 1,550 feet of 4' cast iron pipe, valves, &c. [315]

In his report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1907, Major Zalinski was thus able to report:

Arlington National Cemetery, Va. appropriated:	$12,000.00
Obligated for Construction, new brick stable	6,497.00
Installing heating system in mansion	1,735.00
Installation of new fire control system	3,613.00
Advertisement for bids, etc.	112.31
Total	$11,957.31 [316]

In July 1907 an additional sum of $43.00 was expended from fiscal year 1908 funds to pay for a hydrant that had been added to the original plan. Both contractors completed their work on the water system in August. [317]

In late 1907 the file of quarterly estimates of supplies, tools, and repairs, prepared by the cemetery superintendent, may be found in the holdings of the National Archives.

In response to Superintendent H. C. Magoon's request the quartermaster general, on September 25, 1907, authorized the expenditure of $12.00 for "Repair to sash and flashing" at the mansion. [318]

d. Improvements in 1908

(1) Painting and Papering

In his estimates for the quarter ending March 31, 1908, Superintendent H. C. Magoon requested that $325.00 be spent to paint and paper the interior of the mansion:

(1) Roof of mansion badly in need of repairs
(2) Rooms of south wing of mansion should be painted, estimated cost	$195.00
(3) Rooms of north wing of mansion [supt.'s quarters] should be papered and wood work painted at estimated cost of	130.00

Estimate is submitted for two coats of paint and wall paper of the 25¢ per roll grade.

Magoon accompanied this estimate with a letter, dated February 6, in which he explained:

In submitting my estimate for painting the mansion, I have the honor of asking that the north half of the house (the supt.'s quarters) be papered for reasons as follows: 1st it cost less. 2nd it is more cheerful and homelike, 3rd, the rooms being poorly lighted, white paper would make them much lighter. In the fact the house was heated with stoves [until 1906], they blackened the walls badly, but now they have been done away with, a good painting or paper will look neat, for some six years. [320]

Funds for this project was approved by the quartermaster general. On February 29, 1908, Major Zalinski, depot quartermaster, opened seven bids for the project, ranging from $295.00 to $441.85. On March 9, 1908, the quartermaster general awarded the contract to the low bidder, M. F. Hobson, at the price of $295.00. [321]

Under the specifications of this contract, Hobson was to do the following work: [322]

Plastering. - All loose plaster on the walls and ceilings is to be removed, and such spots are to be replastered with the best material and workmanship.

All cracks or broken parts in walls or ceilings are to be properly cleaned out before being repointed. All plastering and pointing shall be done prior to the painting of the walls and ceilings.

Painting. - The main central hallway running through center of mansion, including stairway to second story and all rooms and corridors on first floor south of said central hallway, are to be thoroughly cleaned, sized, and painted two coats best white lead and pure linseed oil, Lewis' or equal, tinted as directed. This work to include all walls, ceilings and woodwork.

Papering. - All rooms and corridors on the first floor north of main central hallway to be properly cleaned, sized and papered, this work to include all walls and ceilings. All cracks and defective spots in walls or ceilings to be properly repaired prior to putting on new paper. All woodwork to be painted two coats best white lead and oil.

Paper to be of kind and quality not to exceed 15 cents per roll with border to match, to be of such style and pattern as may be selected by the Superintendent in charge.

(2) Reslating Roof

On April 29, 1908, Depot Quartermaster Zalinski opened four bids ranging from $475.00 to $825.00 for repairing the mansion roof and reroofing with straight edge "Pro-slate roofing," made by B.W. Bird & Son. This included the removal of the old slate. After considering the matter further, Zalinski then informed the quartermaster general:

As to merit of pro-slate it is found that this material would not be suitable, and would provide temporary roof only, while if slate were used, the roof would last for many years with practically no cost for repairs. It is therefore recommended that I be authorized for inviting bids for removing all the old slate on roof of mansion and have the existing slate replaced with No. 1 Peacebottom slate at an approximate cost of $1,100.00. . . [323]

This plan was adopted, and thus no contract was awarded for the April 29 bids. New specifications were prepared "for furnishing all materials, labor and other services necessary for. . . work of removing slate roof on mansion house. . . . and renewing same with slate of approved quality in accordance with the specifications and circular." [324]

Three bids were received and opened on June 9, 1908, which ranged from $1,500.00 to $2,500.00. Major Zalinski, recommended that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, C. D. Collins, at $1,500.00. On June 10, the quartermaster authorized the award of the contract to Collins. [325]

The depot quartermaster and Collins signed the contract on June 17 and the quartermaster general approved it on June 22, 1908. [326]

Under the specifications, C. D. Collins was to repair and reslate the roof of the mansion and repair the cornice on the northeast corner of the main building:

DESCRIPTION

15. The work covered by these specifications consists in repairing the roof on the Mansion, replacing all unsound lumber, and covering entire roof with slate.

SPECIFICATIONS

16. Removing Old Slate. Old slate to be carefully re-moved and piled where directed by the officer in charge. When slate has been removed the necessary precautions must be taken to prevent rains from damaging the building.

CARPENTER WORK

17. Remove all unsound or broken lumber in the roof and replace with best quality Virginia Prime, satisfactory to the officer in charge. Straighten all roof timbers by bracing or other approved method to give the roof a true and even surface, free from all projecting nails, etc.

18. Remove the cornice on northeast corner of main building where defective and replace with new lumber to correspond with old cornice.

SLATING

19. The roof of building to be covered with the best grade and quality of unfading black slate, equal to slate quarried at Brownsville, Me., Brilliant Black Roofing Slate, made at Kelsey, Eldorado Co., Cal., or genuine Peachbottom (manufactured at Delta, York County, Pa.); slate to be selected for quality and uniform color, not less than 8 nor more than 14 inches wide, and not less than 14 or more than 20 inches long, and not less than 3-16 of an inch thick. All corners must be cut square and full and both surfaces level and smooth, and slate to be punched or bored and countersunk for nailing. Slate to project two inches at eaves and have three-inch lap of third over first, and be secured with broad, flat-headed galvanized iron nails, two in each; those at eaves to be doubled and canted three-quarters of an inch, so that ends will lay tight, and all slate to be bedded in slater's cement where required to make a snow and water-tight job. All slate to be carefully sorted into three thicknesses, the thickest one to be laid first. No slate having imperfections on exposed portions, such as nail holes and broken corners, to be laid.

20. Before laying slate, the roof to be covered with one thickness of best quality red rope water-proof sheathing paper, free from wood pulp or rosin in the water-proofing and to be of an average weight of not less than eleven pounds to 100 square feet of the paper, exclusive of the weight of nails and wrappings in rolls. A variation of not more than 10 percent in weight in any one roll will be allowed, but the average weight of a lot will be as above specified. Any indication of the presence of wood pulp or resin will be cause for rejection.

METAL WORK

21. Furnish and place on all ridges, galvanized iron ridge rolls. Form ridge roll of approved design of No. 26 galvanized steel, soldered water-tight, with closed ends, and secured to roof with galvanized wire nails, sides to lap on roof not less than six inches, and have edges turned under so as to lay tight.

22. Furnish and place all new flashing required to make a water-tight job.

PAINTING

23. Paint all new woodwork where exposed, with three coats best white lead and oil. First coat to be applied as soon as work is in place. Paint to be tinted to match present painting.

24. Paint all new flashing and ridge rolls on under side before placing with one coat best mineral paint, and after roofing is completed paint outside with two coats, colored as directed. [327]

The 1908 roof was the third slate roof to be placed on the main house. Robert E. Lee had the first roof placed on the structure in 1858.

The second slate roof for the north and south wings had been slated for the first time in 1885.

On May 2, 1908, the quartermaster general also authorized the expenditure of $12.00 to cover the cost of furnishing and installing "one 30 gal. ranger boiler in the supt.'s quarters [school and sewing room ?]." [328]

A total of approximately $1,795.00 were expended on improvements at Arlington House: $295.00 to paint the first floor rooms of the south wing and center house and to paper the north wing rooms; and $1,500.00 to place a new slate roof on the mansion.

e. Improvements in 1909

The only record of work on Arlington House during 1909 that has been found is a June 15, 1909, request for "$46.14 to defray expense of making emergency repairs to mansion house table, Arlington National Cemetery." The quartermaster general approved this expenditure on August 18, 1909. [329]

f. Improvements in 1910

On March 23, 1910, the depot quartermaster proposed the installation of a ladies flush toilet room in room 114 (store room) of the main house at Arlington. He wrote to the quartermaster general:

I would respectfully recommend, in view of the limited toilet facilities within the cemetery, that additional toilets be provided in the first floor of the mansion for ladies use only, thus providing for three toilets and lavatory and with the necessary fixtures complete at an estimated cost of $391.50, including new floor and removal of partition, etc.

On April 16, 1910, the quartermaster authorized the expenditure of $391.50 and on May 4 also approved the plan and specifications for construction of a ladies toilet in the first floor of Arlington House. [330]

g. Improvements in 1911

No record of repairs or improvements to Arlington House were found for 1911. On January 13, 1911, however, the quartermaster general informed the depot quartermaster:

It seems no plans of the mansion of Arlington National Cemetery have ever been prepared by this Department, and as it is desired that the Department should be in a position to reproduce this historic old building in case of its destruction by fire or otherwise, you will please have your engineers, at such times as their services may be spared for this purpose, prepare plans and specifications of the building and forward copies thereof to this office for preservation... [331]

The depot quartermaster, however, never found the time to complete these plans and the first measured drawings of the elevations and cross sections of the exterior and interior of Arlington House were not to be made until 1923-24.

h. Improvements in 1912

On November 25, 1911, the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery requested authority to take down the brick water tower in the rear (or west) of Arlington House "as the tower is no longer useful." He also requested authority "to use the frame part of same for a tool house in the South Division or Southwest Corner." The quartermaster general granted permission to execute this plan on January 24, 1912. [332]

i. Improvements in 1913

An investigation of the toilet facilities was made at Arlington National Cemetery during 1913. On January 31, Civil Engineer E. Mitchell submitted two plans and an estimate of $1,500.00 "for construction of a new toilet to be situated near the northwest corner of the mansion house." The existing latrine had pit toilets. Mitchell reported, "The old toilet to the northwest of the mansion should be repaired and fitted up as a toilet for men. The new toilet in the mansion is now used by women. The building should be put in good condition, a cement floor laid, and modern plumbing installed." [333]

The study of this problem continued. On April 21, 1913, the quartermaster general asked the depot quartermaster for an estimate on construction of an underground comfort station "to avoid undue crowding of structures near the mansion." This report was submitted to the quartermaster general on July 21, 1913. It estimated that the proposed plan for constructing an underground public comfort station would cost $18,000 and that repair to the old comfort station would cost $1,500.00. No further action was taken on this problem during 1913. [334]

The mansion and its outbuildings were in good condition in June 1913 when the cemetery was inspected by Lieutenant Colonel W. C. Brown. The only repair item he found was that one of the "toilet seats in a part of the lodge used by the Supt.'s family is in need of repair." [335]

The problem, however, soon involved more than just a new seat, for on December 6, the quartermaster general approved the expenditure of $85.00 to install a new water closet in the superintendent's private quarters (room 103). [336] In April 1913 the "desirability and cost of installing gas lamps to illuminate properly the mansion were studied and rejected." [337]

j. Improvements in 1914

Lieutenant Colonel Henderson, depot quartermaster, considered the possibility of installing electric lights in Arlington House and reported to the quartermaster general on October 14, 1913: "It is found that the materials are on hand in this Depot for the work [for the installation of electric lights in the mansion house] and in order to avoid the necessity of hiring someone, authority is requested to use the services of a sergeant and six enlisted men of the Signal Corps now at Fort Myer." [338]

This plan was not approved, but on September 14, 1914, the quartermaster general authorized the expenditure of $375.00 from Appropriation for National Cemeteries 1915 fiscal year "for installing [an] electric lighting system at the Arlington National Cemetery... with understanding that Mess. [H.] Magoon [Superintendent] and [David H.] Rhodes [Gardener] be obliged to pay a proper share of the monthly cost of electric current used to light the quarters occupied by them in Arlington House. [339]

In August 1914 the quartermaster corps considered and rejected the idea of installing a pay telephone station in Arlington House for the use of visitors. The study revealed that there were two signal corps pay telephone stations in use, one at the Fort Myer Post Exchange and the other at the Arlington trolley car station. The problem at Arlington House was that the Signal Corps telephone "now in use there [in the office and study] is accessible to the public, and in the absence of the supt. is frequently used by visitors to make long distance calls without payment." [340]

On August 24, 1914, the quartermaster general formally ruled against the installation of a pay telephone station in Arlington House. The chief officer of the U.S. Signal Corps also disapproved of the project on August 27, 1914. [341]

k. Summary of Expenditures for Repairs and Improvements, 1905-1914

Records reveal that the quartermaster corps spent more than $5,128.50 from 1905 to 1914 making improvements to Arlington House. These included:

In addition to these expenditures the fire protection system for Arlington House was greatly improved in 1907 at a cost of $3,613.00 by the construction of four-inch cast iron water pipes and hydrants that carried water from the existing Fort Myer system to the vicinity of Arlington House and its outbuildings. Water was carried into the basement of the mansion, and exterior hydrants were built adjacent to the building. In 1912, the 1881 brick water tower, located to the west of Arlington House, was demolished. In 1907, the old Custis-Lee brick stable, destroyed by fire in 1904, was replaced by a new one-story brick stable, 67' 8" by 34' 4", with slate roof and stalls for 17 horses at a cost of $6,495.00.

7. Arlington House and the Quartermaster Corps, 1915-20

The central files of the quartermaster general during the period of World War I (1915-1920) are located at the Washington National Records Center at Suitland, Maryland. Because there is no index for these files, the archivists were unable to locate any files that contained significant data on the physical history of Arlington House between 1915 and 1920.

8. Arlington House and the Quartermaster Corps, 1921-33

a. Improvements in 1921

In this section only the repair and improvement of Arlington House from 1921 to August 10, 1933, will be considered. All consideration of the quartermaster corps relationship with the Commission of Fine Arts and the movement to establish Arlington House as a memorial to Robert E. Lee and restore the Custis-Lee House, will be considered in subsequent sections of this study. May No. 7, dated February 23, 1921, shows the condition of the grounds around Arlington House and its outbuildings in 1921.

On January 18, 1921, the depot quartermaster submitted the plans and specifications for a new comfort station at Arlington National Cemetery "for which there is an item of $12,000.00 in the Sundry Civil Bill of the current fiscal year." On January 21 the quartermaster general approved the plans and authorized the issuance of bids for the construction of a new comfort station. [342] The old pit toilet latrine located to the west of the Arlington House and north of the summer kitchen was thus eliminated in 1921.

The estimated cost of relandscaping the grounds around Lee Mansion, as shown on May No. 7, was $38,362.50. [343]

b. Use of Rooms in Mansion, 1922

On August 15, 1922, the quartermaster depot supply officer provided the quartermaster general with a detailed report on the use of the rooms in Arlington House. His report stated:

Description of Rooms in Lee Mansion, Arlington Cemetery - August 11, 1922

1st Floor Rooms No. 1 to 10, inclusive, are occupied by the Superintendent of the Cemetery as living quarters and are not open to the public.

Rooms 11 to 18, inclusive, are open to the public, No. 15 being used as the office of the superintendent.

Room No. 1 - Kitchen [room 104] 2. Bedroom [room 106] 3. Bedroom [room 107] 4. Bath Room [rooms 102 & 103] 5. Hall [room 105] 6. Dining Room [room 101B] 7. Closet 8. Hall — Quarters of Supt. 9. Parlor [rooms 108 & 109] 10. Hall

11. Main Hall, containing bronze tablet and benches, [room 111] 12. Public Room, containing records of soldiers and marines lost in Spanish War [room 112] 13. Hall to Stairway, [room 113] 14. Public Room containing records of USS Maine victims [room 115] 15. Public Room, Office of Superintendent [room 117] 16. Office file room [room 114] 17. Conservatory [room 116] 18. Hall

Condition: All rooms on this [1st] floor have been papered and painted within the past year and are in good condition.

Attic: Attic extending over entire building is unfinished, having no floor.

Second Floor: All rooms on this [2nd] floor are used as living quarters of the landscape gardener [David H. Rhodes]

No. 1. Bedroom [room 204] 2. Hall Room - storage [room 205] 3. Parlor [room 206] 4. Kitchen [room 203] 5. Hall & living room [room 201] 6. Office [room 207?]

7. Bath Room [room 202] 8. Hall 9. Hall 10. Stairway 11. Closet

Note - structural condition of building is first class. Rooms in all but second floor present a good appearance.

Basement: Contains kitchen no. 1 [Nos. BO-2A and BO-2B?], which is used for laundry, two boiler rooms, No. 5 and No. 11. The remaining portions of basement are used for storage of fuel [coal] and greenhouse supplies. Space No. 12 [Nos. BO-A and B] is not excavated [under south wing.] [344]

It should be noted that all rooms on the first floor had been painted and papered in 1921-22 and that rooms on the second floor, in the gardener's quarters, had apparently not been painted or papered for a number of years.

The use of the rooms is shown on Plan No. 21, a "Preliminary Drawing of the First Floor of Arlington House," which also shows the use of the rooms in November 1923, drawn by Rodier and Kundzin, Architects, Washington, D.C. A comparison of Plan No. 20-A-April 26, 1910, with Plan No. 21 reveals that some alterations had been made in the first floor room plans at some undetermined date after 1914 but prior to 1922. Thus, the women's public toilet, installed in Room No. 114 in 1910, had been removed by 1923.

In the north wing, used as the superintendent's quarters, Room No. 101, used as a long hall in 1910, had been subdivided into two rooms by 1923, forming Room No. 101B, the dining room and Room No. 101A—the living room. The stairway to the cellar, located in Room No. 101 against the east wall in 1910, had also been completely removed by 1923. Room No. 102—a bath room—and Room No. 103—a water closet—had been separate rooms in 1910 but had been remodelled by 1923 (see 1914 drawing) to form one room. A former doorway leading from the kitchen (room 104) along the east wall into Room No. 106 in 1910 had been walled shut by 1923 to form a closet in Room No. 106. Room No. 106, used as a dining room in 1910, served as a bedroom in 1923. Although the use of some rooms had changed and some rooms had been subdivided by the introduction of new partition walls, none of the historic (pre-1861) walls are believed to have been removed.

c. Preparation of Measured Drawings of Arlington House, 1923-24

Although the quartermaster general had instructed the depot quartermaster of the Washington Depot to have his engineers prepare measured drawings of Arlington House in 1911, no final drawings had been produced by 1923. On November 15 of that year Architect Gilbert Rodier of the Washington, D.C., architectural firm of Rodier and Kundzin, wrote to Brigadier General John P. Knight, Assistant Quartermaster General:

to formally request your authority permitting us to take careful measurements and secure the necessary data for preparing accurate plans and details of the mansion. As Senator Wadsworth's Secretary, Mr. Devendorf, explained to you, our thought is that this would be not only of great architectural and historical value to many people, but would also prove a great practical benefit to the Government in the unfortunate event that any part of the building were destroyed or damaged as well in the event that an improvement or restoration were to be made.

I think I mentioned that I, personally, started this work several years ago under the direction of the QRMR Officer but the work was suspended at the beginning of the war, and so far as I can learn remains in a very incomplete state. . .

Of course we understand that, as a condition precedent to the granting of this authority, the Government will be put at no expense whatsoever and that all original drawings prepared by us as well as any data secured, would become and remain the property of the Government, reserving to ourselves only the privilege of having copies of the same made public in one of the leading architectural journals. [345]

Quartermaster General W. H. Hart referred this request to the secretary of war on November 20, 1923, recommending that authority be granted. He stated:

At the present time there are no plans available of the Lee Mansion anywhere, and as the Lee House is included in the progressive development of this National Cemetery, it would be very advantageous for the Government to have a complete and accurate set of plans of the Lee Mansion as it is at the present time. [346]

On November 26, General Knight informed Architect Rodier that the secretary had approved the request. On the same day he instructed the depot quartermaster to issue a permit to Rodier to make measured drawings of the Arlington mansion. [347]

Rodier and Kundzin completed their work between December 1923 and March 1924. On March 12 Rodier informed General Knight:

I am pleased to advise you that the measured drawings of the Lee Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery... have been entirely completed and will be delivered to you this week. A few of the sheets together with photographs and a short article will be published in the March Architectural Forum....

The plans were made at several different scales and on sheets of various sizes, but were so made that they would all reproduce to a standard size of 8" x 11' and in order to avoid the use of graphic scales, the scale indicated on each drawing was so given, that when reproduced to the size mentioned, the scale would read accurately.... [348]

Responding on April 17, 1924, Brigadier John Knight thanked Architect Rodier. He observed:

A careful review of the plans shows that the work has been given very careful thought and study and the complete detailed drawings will undoubtedly prove a very valuable addition to the files of this office.

The careful thought and study, and the expense of undertaking such work on your own initiative, based from your patriotic interest in the historic Lee Mansion, is indeed a very commendable action.

In conformity with your request there is enclosed herewith in duplicate a complete set of photostat plans which have been reduced in size. [349]

Rodier and Kundzin presented the quartermaster corps with two sets of measured drawings. Set No. 1 is composed of ten sheets of the preliminary drawings, done in pencil by draftsman Mitchell Crawford. They are undated but were probably drawn in December 1923. [350] Set No. 2 consists of the final inked drawing done in 15 sheets, also undated, but completed by March 1924. [351] For examples of Set No. 2, see Plan No. 22.

These 25 sheets are indeed of the greatest architectural and historical importance today, because they illustrate in detail existing conditions before many historical and original structural features were obliterated or altered by the War Department restoration of 1928-31.

d. Architectural Analysis of Arlington House, 1924

Architect Gilbert L. Rodier, in his March 1924 article on Arlington House published in the Architectural Forum, offered the first detailed architectural analysis and description of the mansion. He also presented a theory on how the structure had been originally constructed ca. 1804. Extracts from his essay follow:

The house is built of brick (I am sorry to say that these bricks were not imported from England "in ballast," but were made on the site), and the exterior is stuccoed with lime mortar. There are lines in the stucco to represent stone courses, and the jointing is well studied. The columns are also of brick, stuccoed and painted white, but the balance of the exterior, except window detail and cornices, is painted in a warm buff or ochre color. The present roof is of slate, but this is modern, as the covering was originally of wood shingles. Modern also is the metal guttering and spouting which successfully hides the crown members of the cornices, but which serves the purpose of protecting the walls.

Most familiar to the casual visitor is the great portico with its six huge columns and its heavy pediment, so like many of the early Greek temples, and yet totally unlike any in detail. The wings are screened by enormous magnolias so that the portico alone, standing a full 200 feet above the Potomac, and framed in the green of great trees, is the picture seen from Washington across the river, and this is destined to become the focal point of the axis for the Memorial Bridge leading from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington....

As to the interior design and details, the house reflects the tastes and life of its builder and owner in that it is pretentious in scale, yet simple and trite in detail; indeed, it must answer to the indictment of being "Early Victorian" ....

Study of the present plan shows that there are two bedrooms on the first floor of the north wing (numbered 14 [106] and 15 [107], and it is known that [George Washington Parke] Custis and his wife occupied these rooms after the marriage of their daughter to Robert E. Lee in 1831. But the writer is convinced, and there is every physical evidence to support the theory, that originally all the bedrooms in the house were on the second floor, and that the space covered by the rooms numbered 13[104], 14[106], 15[107], and the hall [105] Number 16, was one large dining room (in 1804). All of the finish on the perimeter of this large space is exactly the same, whereas the finish occurring in the interior portions is of a totally different character. The projection in the [west wall of the] hall (number 16[105]) is an old chimney breast and now serves no purpose whatsoever; moreover this projection is exactly on the center of the west wall of what seems to have been the original [1804] dining room, and doubtless this was the fireplace. It is believed that the beautiful wooden mantel now in Number 14 [106] was formerly used for this fireplace, it being entirely out of scale in the room where it is now placed. The relation of this space to the outdoor summer kitchen and to the basement kitchen [under the north wing] also forms a logical basis for this theory, and on the sketch plan is shown what is believed to have been the original layout of the first floor [of the north wing]. Every consideration indicates this. [352]

It should be noted that this theory of the original (1804) floor plan, advanced by architect Rodier after his inspection of the interior walls of the first floor of the north wing, was accepted to some degree by the Commission of Fine Arts and may have been accepted by some as an accurate description of how the north wing of Arlington House looked in 1804. Only extensive physical investigation could confirm or deny this theory. The 1980-81 architectural-archeological examination of the physical structure of the north wing revealed its complicated physical history and established that the Rodier hypothesis of the 1804 appearance of the first floor of the north wing was incorrect. From 1924 to 1980, however, the Rodier theory was not completely refused because of limited access to physical evidence. It was recognized as a hypothesis unsupported by extensive physical research and hence not used as a basis for interpretation or restoration.

In his March 1924 article, Rodier described existing conditions at the mansion. There were:

And from that day [April 22, 1861 when Robert E. Lee rode away to join the Confederate army] the famous old house has been bare and empty; the entire north wing and the second floor are barred to the public, as they are occupied by employees of the cemetery. Visitors are shown through two empty desolate rooms, the least interesting of all, historically and architecturally speaking, but only these rooms can be seen by visitors to the house.

But fortunately the National Commission of Fine Arts has become interested in the old building, and it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when it may be restored to a semblance of its original splendor, the cemetery employee moved to new and more suitable quarters, and the entire house opened to visitors so that they may carry from Arlington a true impression of what the noble old structure was like in its grand days before the Civil War. [353]

e. Improvements in 1923-24

The inspection report dated April 25, 1923, recommended that the following repairs be made to Arlington House:

1. Mansion. The gutters and downspouts are all in good condition on the second story portion of the mansion. On the first story (office and conservatory wing - south wing), the hangers have been bent out of shape and should be replaced.
Estimated cost	$35.00
2. Estimated cost of snow breakers for roof	40.00
3. Estimated cost for repairing pavement at 25¢ per sq. yd. - 300 yards	75.00
4. The superintendent's quarters (located in the north wing) were newly papered and painted last year [1922], except hall, which is the only room needing new papers.
Estimated cost	32.00
	$182.00

On June 20, 1923, the quartermaster general granted Quartermaster Depot Supply Officer M. J. Conner authority to expend $182.00 to carry out the four repair projects. [354]

In June 1924 it was reported that the telephone service at Arlington Cemetery was very unsatisfactory, "owing to the construction of the lines on trees for one-half mile through the western section of the mansion." It was recommended to the quartermaster general that the Signal Corps should place:

a ten pair cable in conduit from the mansion to the Fort Myer Hospital building, which will provide this office with a connection direct from Washington to Arlington. This would also give dependable lines from the Superintendent's Office [room 117] at Arlington to Fort Myer and make it possible to install public phones, which are very much needed. [355]

In October 1924 it was reported "that the main feed electric line running from the utility, Fort Myer to mansion in cemetery, is in bad condition, some of the arms and poles being about to collapse, and it is necessary that steps be taken by the quartermaster supply officer to have the entire line rebuilt before winter." On November 8, 1924, the quartermaster general allotted the quartermaster supply officer $1,690.00 for installing an underground cable from Fort Myer to the Lee Mansion. For this purpose, 1,000 feet of No. 4 and 1,900 feet of No. 3 American conduct (underground duct) were to be used. [356]

f. Improvements to Arlington House, 1925-33

During the period January 1, 1925 to December 31, 1935, the cemetery superintendents submitted quarterly reports, all of which are extant. Robert R. Dye, who had become superintendent in 1918, was the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery from 1918 to August 10, 1933. [357]

Major H. L. Wood, in his inspection report of May 4, 1925, informed the inspector general:

a. The Lodge (Mansion) Conservatory [room 116] badly crowded with plants too large for room; no space elsewhere to put these plants.

b. Superintendent's Office [room 117 in south wing] needs repainting.

c. Study and Hall on second floor [Gardener David H. Rhodes' quarters] need repainting and papering.

d. Plaster peeling from ceiling in basement.

The quartermaster general commented on this report, "No improvements to be made in building except minor repairs until the restoration of the mansion, already authorized by Congress, is accomplished." [358] However, in his report for the quarter ending December 31, 1925, Superintendent Dye noted, "Repairs needed for brickwork, wood trim, roof, tinware, plastering, papering, painting."

Later, on April 23, 1926, the quartermaster general instructed the quartermaster depot supply officer, "It is desired that only needed repairs be made to such as to contain it until the ultimate restoration." [359]

No improvements or repairs were made in 1926 and in a letter dated December 27, 1926, Superintendent Dye to commented to the quartermaster supply officer:

It is respectfully requested that steps be taken to thoroughly repair, both inside and out, including painting, the Custis Lee Mansion and the two small outbuildings that comprise the original buildings at the cemetery. These buildings are getting in such dilapidated condition that they detract from the good appearance of the place, the walls need repainting, rooves [sic] and gutters as well as a good part of the wood work should be immediately gone over, the outside of buildings given at least two coats of paint.

I am aware that there is a move on foot to restore these buildings as a sort of museum, but as appropriation for that purpose seems unlikely at this time, or in the near future, it would seem appropriate that the buildings be kept in repair and properly painted until such time as it is finally decided to use them for purposes other than now. [360]

Submitted with this letter was a detailed estimate entitled:

"Estimate Cost of painting public Rooms in Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery and repairing Slave Quarters", dated December 27, 1926.

Paint all walls, ceilings and trim in Public Rooms and Hall, Interior stairway.

Area -	walls	6,900 sq. ft.
	ceilings	1,600 sq. ft.
		8,500 sq. ft.
Trim	12 doors -	1,080 feet
	7 windows -	350 feet
		1,430 feet

The detailed estimate of materials and labor for 24 days, amounted to $579.40 and the cost of repairs to the two slave quarters were put at $705.00.

On January 2, 1927, the quartermaster general, Major General B. F. Cheatham, authorized the repairs for the slaves quarters but disapproved work on Arlington House. He remarked "This is not considered an appropriate time to make repairs to the mansion of the nature mentioned..." [361]

The inspection report for 1927, dated April 25, stated that no repairs had been made:

Lodge [Mansion] Roof gutters needed repairs... New snow break needed on roof to protect gutters.

Conservatory badly crowded with plants too large for room. No space elsewhere for the plants. Benches need painting.

Superintendent's quarters need repainting and repapering throughout.

Second floor needs repainting and repapering throughout. [362]

The depot supply officer followed up this report on May 22, 1927, with an estimate of $244.00 to repaint the second floor. He wrote:

Mansion: Second Story: all the walls and ceilings need the plaster repaired. The walls and ceilings of the hall and kitchen [room 203] need to be painted. The walls and ceilings of three rooms need to be papered. All wood trim needs painting.

The quartermaster general, however, disapproved the allotment of $244.00 on May 23, 1927. [363]

On March 28, 1928, Congress appropriated $10,000 to make a thorough investigation and survey of the condition of Arlington Mansion and its outbuildings. [364]

In his 1928 inspection for Arlington National Cemetery, dated July 31, Lieutenant Colonel Thorne Strayer informed the inspector general:

The Lodge (Lee Mansion): is to be restored to its condition at the time it was occupied by the Custis and Lee families. Only absolutely necessary repairs are warrented in the meanwhile. However, the coal ranges in the two kitchens [room 104 and room 203] should be placed by the electric stoves in the interest of cleanliness and fire protection. [365]

In response to this recommendation, the quartermaster general, on October 20, 1928, allotted the quartermaster supply officer the sum of $254.55 "for wiring to connect the electric ranges recently installed in the mansion at Arlington National Cemetery." [366]

In a note, dated May 18, 1929, the quartermaster depot supply officer informed the quartermaster general:

Lodge and Outbuildings - Extensive improvements are being made in connection with the restoration of the mansion, and payment from the special appropriation [of $90,000 on March 4, 1929]. The work has not progressed sufficient to warrent a report." [367]

On April 23, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the quartermaster supply office of the Washington Depot:

In order that the restoration of the Arlington Mansion may be proceeded with at once, [it is], directed to move Mr. Dye, the Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, into the old building in the northeast corner of the cemetery, after fixing up said building to make it more suitable for his use. This project will cost approximately $1,850.00 to $2,000. [368]

On April 24, 1929, the quartermaster general wrote to the Budget Office of the War Department and asked for $15,000 for the fiscal year 1930 to cover the cost of constructing a lodge for the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery "in order that the construction of the Lodge may go hand in hand with the restoration of the Lee Mansion." [369] On October 28, 1929, the quartermaster general granted the superintendent permission to install a wash bowl in the Arlington mansion for the temporary use of the office force. "The bowl should be placed in closet room no. 12 [rooms 102-03]." [370]

On May 19, 1930, the quartermaster general informed the depot quartermaster supply officer "authority is granted to continue use of the room and hallway [rooms 104 and 101] of the ground floor of the Arlington Mansion as the superintendent's office pending the erection of another [office building]." [371]

The superintendent's quarterly reports indicate that the restoration work on the Arlington House and improvements to its grounds continued during 1930 and 1931. [372] On January 16, 1932, it was reported, "The new Superintendent's Cottage and Office are completed." [373] In his report for the quarter ending March 31, 1932, Superintendent Dye commented, "Repair work and painting Old Lodge (Lee Mansion), New Lodge for Superintendent completed. Repair work at Arlington Mansion completed." [374]

Superintendent Dye's reports for the period April 1, 1932, to August 10, 1933, indicate that no further repairs or improvements were made to Arlington House during that period. [375] Douglas MacArthur, Acting Secretary of War, informed Senator thomas Connally in 1935, "The mansion was gradually reconditioned and on March 22, 1930, after the restoration was practically completed, the mansion was opened to the public." [376]