ARLINGTON HOUSE Historic Structures Report Voume 1

This section will be divided into two portions: the first will be a general chronological narrative of the development of plans to preserve and restore Arlington House (Lee Mansion) from 1920 to 1931; the second will examine the work of the restorers based on documentary evidence during the exterior and interior restoration of Arlington House in 1928-31.

A. GENERAL HISTORY OF THE RESTORATION OF ARLINGTON HOUSE, 1920-1931:

The quartermaster corps had maintained, repaired, and improved Arlington House without any external advice from 1864 to at least 1914. On May 17, 1910, however, Congress established the Commission of Fine Arts, with headquarters in the Department of Interior. At some undetermined date (probably after World War I and certainly by 1920) the Commission of Fine Arts extended its interest and attention to Arlington House and the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. The Commission, comprised of architects, sculptors, artists, architectural historians, and landscape architects, began to supply the quartermaster general with recommendations, which were generally accepted by the corps if funds were available, in an effort to improve the appearance of Arlington National Cemetery.

The most active and influential member of the Commission during the 1920s was its chairman, Charles Moore, an able architectural historian from Detroit, Michigan, and scholar of what was termed "modern architecture". During this period Moore wrote two studies that have become standard works in their field: a two volume biography of Daniel H. Burnham (1921), who worked in landscaping and architecture in Chicago from 1846 to 1912, and The Life and Times of Charles Follen McKim (1929). McKim was a noted architect active in the East from 1867 to 1909.

On November 27, 1920, Col. H. C. Bonnycastle, quartermaster commanding the Washington Depot, prepared the following comments on a "Report Pertaining to Arlington Cemetery for the Commission of Fine Arts," dated November 1:

So far as the mansion is concerned and views, as the Committee of Fine Arts does, this office does not feel that the mansion is properly presented to the public. That part of the building which is open to the public [rooms 111, 112, 115, 117] has no architectural features worthy of mention.

Without knowing the exact history of the mansion, it is believed that the time the Government took possession of the building (May 24, 1861), this portion [rooms 112, 115] was not completed and it is understood that the Government undertook to finish this wing of the house, with a lamentable lack of success.

On the other hand, that portion of the building [north of the main hall and the north wing] occupied by the Superintendent and his family has considerable architectural merit. Yet the public has no opportunity to see this portion of the building.

It has been suggested that the south wing might be restored and given a finish in keeping with the north wing, the building furnished throughout with furniture of the proper period and the whole building throughout open to the public.

The Commission of Fine Arts, in brief, recommended the restoration of Arlington House. [1]

During 1921 and 1922 Chairman Moore corresponded with Mrs. Henry W. Keyes, the wife of the U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and a native Virginian, who in a letter to the Good Housekeeping had urged the restoration and furnishing of Arlington House to the Custis-Lee period. [2]

On May 28, 1924, Chairman Moore appeared at the hearing before the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to make a statement on H. J. Resolution 264, "authorizing the restoration of the Lee Mansion in the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia." Speaking on behalf of the Commission of Fine Arts, Moore informed the Congressmen that:

Arlington was built in 1804 by George Washington Parke Custis. . . [who] lived there for 50 years. Half of that covers the early period of the Republic and it gives us 50 years of background there. It would be historically correct, perhaps, to restore the mansion as the Custis Mansion or the Arlington Mansion and to restore the room in which Lee was married [room 108] and put that into the condition that it was at that time.... He [Robert E. Lee], of course, never really occupied the house in any such way as Custis did, because he was stationed at Fort Monroe [1830-1834]. [3]

Moore also informed the committee that "this matter has been up several times between the Commission of Fine Arts and the various officials at Arlington and of the War Department, and the plans have been made for the complete restoration of the mansion so far as the externals are concerned..." As to the interior restoration, Moore remarked, "In order to remove the [cemetery] headquarters and put them over in the amphitheater, that, of course will take money; and then the room in which Robert E. Lee was married [room 108] is now occupied by the caretaker or by Mr. Nye [Dye]." Moore stated further:

These rooms are the chief rooms. As to the other rooms across the hall [to the south, in Rooms Nos. 112 and 115] that are empty now, the fireplaces have been taken out and those [1855 Victorian] mantles [put in by Robert E. Lee] never were used in the Custis time or the Lee time. Those rooms never were really finished because George Washington Parke Custis used them [Room No. 117] for his study; he painted battle pictures in those rooms. [4]

Colonel B. F. Cheatham, who attended the hearing as a representative of the War Department, took no position on the proposed resolution. He did mention, however, that "Mr. Moore, of the Fine Arts Commission, has given the War Department a study of the entire project. This is now being worked on in the Quartermaster's office with a view to requesting the Secretary of War to ask for an appropriation at the proper time." [5]

A joint resolution authorizing the restoration of the Lee Mansion in Arlington National Cemetery, was finally passed by Congress and approved by President Calvin Coolidge on March 4, 1925 (the full text may be found in Appendix F). With regard to the restoration of the Custis-Lee Mansion, the resolution read:

that the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed, as nearly as may be practicable, to restore the Lee Mansion in the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, to the condition in which it existed immediately prior to the Civil War and to procure, if possible, articles of furniture and equipment which were then in the mansion and in use by the occupants thereof. He is also authorized, in his discretion, to procure replicas of the furniture and other articles in use in the mansion during period mentioned, with a view to restoring, as far as may be practicable, the appearance of the interior of the mansion to the condition of its occupancy by the Lee family [1855-1861]." [6]

On March 27, 1925, as a result of the new law, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to make an investigation of Arlington. He was to report on:

What, if any, information is available as to the condition of

(a) the mansion and its surroundings immediately prior to the Civil War?

(b) how it was furnished...

(c) estimate of cost for proposed restoration and refurnishing.

If the mansion is restored, its present use cannot probably be continued... [An estimate for building a new lodge and office for the superintendent was also to be included]. [7]

The quartermaster supply officer, responding on May 25, 1925, reported:

This Office has no authentic information concerning the condition of mansion or the grounds prior to the Civil War. There is no record of any alterations to the mansion except that the old wooden shingles have been replaced by slate. . . . Proper restoration will necessitate the construction of three buildings: quarters for the Superintendent; quarters for the landscape gardener; and a public office. [8]

On July 9, 1925, the cemeterial division prepared estimates totalling $252,000 for restoration of Arlington Mansion and construction of four replacement buildings. The proposed work included:

a. Restoration of mansion and two outbuildings		$60,000
b. Furnishing of these	buildings	100,000
	Restoration	160,000
New Buildings:	Supt's Lodge	26,000
	Office building	26,000
	Gardener's Lodge	20,000
	3 new buildings	$72,000

The addition of a new Foreman's Lodge, to be built at Fort Myer at a cost of $20,000, brought the grand total to $252,000. Major General W. H. Hart, the quartermaster general, submitted this total to the Assistant Secretary of war on July 16, 1925. The Secretary of War quickly reduced the requested appropriation from $252,000 to $100,000, providing $75,000 for the restoration of Arlington House and $25,000 for the construction of a lodge and office for the superintendent. [9]

On August 17, 1925, acting Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis wrote to Moore about furnishing Arlington House. He stated in part, "It occurred to me that the Fine Arts Commission could best decide the articles that blend properly with the project as a whole and I am, therefore, writing to ask you if you will be kind enough to pass upon any articles that may be offered." [10]

Chairman Moore accepted the offer on behalf of the commission on August 25, 1925. [11] Two months later, on October 26, Moore undertook successfully to subvert the intent of Congress as expressed in the joint resolution, approved March 4, 1925, regarding the restoration and furnishing of the Lee Mansion to the period "immediately prior to the Civil War." The New York Times, on October 26, 1925, reported this action under the headline, "Lee Memorial Plans To Be Dropped":

The plan of creating a shrine to the memory of Robert E. Lee in the restoration of the Lee Mansion in Arlington National Cemetery, probably will be dropped. Following a visit of Charles C. Moore, chairman of the Fine Arts Commission, paid to President Coolidge today, it became known that an entire change of base in regard to the project virtually has been determined upon. The mansion will be restored not in the decorative style it had as occupied by General Lee, but in the period style of the earlier years in which it was occupied by members of the Custis family. . . .

He also provided Moore with estimates of the cost of restoration.

Moore went on to state in the article:

There is no real demand from the South that a Lee shrine be established in Arlington Cemetery. To the Southern people, the only real memorial to the memory of their leader in the Civil War is in Lexington, Va., where he is buried, and where he spent his declining years as president of Washington and Lee University. . . In view of the fact that Arlington will be enlarged and brought down to the shores of the Potomac in connection with the construction of Arlington Memorial Bridge, extreme care must be exercised in preserving its art values. . . . [12] Architectural historian Moore had apparently decided that restoration of the mansion to the period of ca. 1804 would permit the elimination of all traces of the Victorian architectural features and furnishings, which he and his fellow architects, strongly detested and regarded as an inferior style.

Despite this about face, on November 17, 1925, in the final revised estimate for the restoration project, the Secretary of War asked Congress for an appropriation of $177,000, which included $50,000 for restoring the mansion and two outbuildings, $75,000 for furnishing them, and $52,000 for erecting a new superintendent's office-lodge, a gardener's lodge, and a foreman's lodge. Congress, declined, however, to appropriate money for this project. As has been mentioned, the quartermaster general from 1925 to 1928 refused to approve expenditures for the routine maintenance of the exterior or interior of Arlington House on the assumption that money would be provided for the restoration. Only money for emergency repairs was authorized during this period.

Upon the suggestion of Chairman Moore an estimate was submitted for fiscal year, 1927, asking for $10,000 to make "a thorough investigation and survey to determine the condition of Arlington Mansion and outbuildings." This request twice failed to pass, but finally, on March 28, 1928, Congress did appropriate the desired $10,000. [13]

The engineering division provided the quartermaster general with a detailed five-page estimate on how the $10,000 could be spent: $5,400 for exterior work and $4,600 for interior work. Of the exterior money, $3,800 was for work on the mansion, $1,000 on the slaves quarters, and $600 on the summer kitchen. All of the $4,600 for interior restoration was for work in the mansion. A total of $4,353 was to be spent in rooms 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 117 of first floor center house and south wing and $247 for work in the basement. [14]

On August 1, 1928, the quartermaster general authorized the quartermaster supply officer of the Washington Depot to expend up to $5,400 on exterior restoration of the mansion and the two outbuildings. Of this sum, $3,800 were for Arlington House. No expenditures for interior work were approved. This work was, in many aspects, deferred maintenance for the years 1925-1928. The supply officer was also notified:

Mr. L. M. Leisenring, Architect of this office, has been placed in charge of the work of research in connection with this restoration, and the work now to be done is to be under his direct supervision. He has been directed to make frequent inspections of the work as it progresses and will co-operate with your office in the matter of giving detailed information as the work progresses. . . [15]

On December 11, 1928, the fiscal division provided the quartermaster general with an estimate totalling $61,500 for the restoration of the mansion and two outbuildings. Of this total, $26,100 were for exterior restoration and $35,400 for interior work. [16]

On March 4, 1929, an appropriation of $90,000 was approved for restoring and furnishing Arlington House and its associated outbuildings. The law read:

For continuing the restoration of the Lee mansion, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, and the procurement, including gifts, of articles of furniture and equipment which were formerly in use of such mansion, or replicas thereof, or other furniture and equipment of the period, in accordance with the provisions of the Act approved March 4, 1925 (43 Stat., p. 1356), $90,000, to remain available until expended. Such restoration and the articles so procured to be subject to the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts. [17]

With some $95,000 now available for the restoration projects, matters had reached a critical stage. On April 12, 1929 the, quartermaster general established a committee to advise on this work and had Colonel L. H. Bash invite Chairman Moore and other members of the Commission of Fine Arts to serve on the committee. In the letter Bash explained:

Referring to your recent conversation with General Cheatham in reference to the proposed plans for the restoration of the Arlington Mansion, in which we are all deeply interested, General Cheatham has thought wise to appoint a Committee to secure all of the information available concerning the architectural features and furnishings of the Mansion in the pre-Civil War period. We realize that the reconditioning of this old Colonial estate is a matter of national interest and that when it becomes generally known to the public that the restoration is under way there will be innumerable suggestions of more or less value received from uninformed persons. For this reason, it is particularly desired to get the advice of yourself and your friend, Dr. Peters, and anyone else of your acquaintance who really has specific and worthwhile information. The Committee that has been appointed will consist of Brigadier General William E. Horten, USA, retired, Mr. Edward W. Donn, Jr., F.A.I.A., and Major Luther Morris Leisenring, QM-Reserve. This Committee having been organized will hold a meeting in the Arlington Mansion, Arlington Cemetery, Virginia, at 2:30 P.M., Wednesday, April 17th, and it would give me great pleasure if you and Dr. Peters, and anyone else of your suggestion, would make it convenient to attend so as to submit your suggestions on the ground. [18]

Brigadier General William E. Horton, U.S. Army, retired, was appointed chairman of the committee. Colonel Bash explained on behalf of the quartermaster general:

It is The Quartermaster General's idea that this project being of national importance, any plans that are adopted will be subject to criticism from the general public and it is for the purpose of forestalling such criticism, as well as for carrying out the intent of Congress in the most efficient manner, that your Committee has been appointed. It is General Cheatham's thought that your Committee will take steps to request the presence before it as witnesses of any persons who may have or may think they have worthwhile information as to the original condition of the house and surroundings, or as to the nature of the furnishings. The widest opportunity should be given to such persons to appear - it being well understood that their remarks and advice may only be given such value as your Committee may decide. The Quartermaster General would like your Committee to consider all the information already on record in this office and having conducted such hearings as you see fit to make detailed recommendations concerning each room in the building, the exterior architectural features and the parking and layout of the grounds immediately surrounding. This, of course, includes the subsidiary buildings in the rear of the Mansion, known as the kitchen and slave quarters. The report of your Committee should be as detailed as possible, so that when it is approved by the Quartermaster General it will constitute a directive to the Commanding Officer of the Washington General Depot who is to be placed in immediate charge of the prosecution of the work.

The thought is also in mind that it might be well if your Committee were to have Colonel Mortimer present during the hearings, or at least to keep in close liaison with him to take advantage of his intimate knowledge of what has already been accomplished and what it is practicable to do in the future with the funds available. [19]

Moore accepted this offer by telephone on April 13 and reported that he would bring Walter Peter, architect, and Arno B. Cammerer, secretary of the Fine Arts Commission, with him to the April 17 meeting. [20] Because most of the basic recommendations covering the restoration of Arlington House and its two outbuildings were made at the April 17 meeting and were approved or disapproved by the quartermaster general on May 3, 1929, these two documents will be presented in detail. Item 1 in each case is from the notes of the April 17 meeting, which are dated April 18, 1929, and the decision from a memo dated May 3, 1929. [21] The documents stated:

The Committee appointed to secure available information for reproducing and refurnishing Arlington Mansion, consisting of Brig. General William E. Horton, USA, retd., Mr. E. W. Donn, Architect and Major Luther M. Leisenring, QM-Res., met Dr. Moore, Chairman, and Mr. Cammerer, Secretary of the Fine Arts Commission, Lieut. Colonel C. G. Mortimer, Q.M.C., Washington General Depot, and Mr. Walter Peter, Architect, at Arlington Mansion at 2:30 P.M., April 17, and in a general conference, which extended over a period of two hours, on the subject of the restoration of the Mansion and its dependencies, and the landscaping of immediate surroundings of the Mansion, the following points were generally agreed upon:

a. That all of the granolithic walks and driveways surrounding the Mansion should be removed and gravel walks substituted and grass extended up to the building around the entire front and at the sides and rear, except at rear entrances.

a. Granolithic walks and driveways should be considered for eventual removal, but this should be given late priority. Eventually it is the intention to replace said walks and drives with gravel and to replace the surroundings originally in the vicinity. It is already known that there was a gravel driveway on the east side of the house which will be replaced.

(1) In making the landscape plans, however, it is the intention to keep automobiles from parking in the immediate vicinity of the Mansion. This will require that separate parking space be provided so as to require all visitors to approach on foot.

b. That an outside heating plant be constructed adjacent to the public comfort station in the rear of the summer kitchen outbuilding to give heat to the main building and slave quarters and to the summer kitchen building, as well as the public comfort station, that this building be of material and design harmonious with the old outbuildings, and that in it there should be installed a room for the watchmen and guards.

b. Approved. (May 3, 1929).

c. That the office of the Cemetery be placed in the Memorial Amphitheater; all memorials now in the Arlington Mansion not directly associated with the house to be also suitably placed in the Memorial Amphitheater; that the two bronze panels now in the center hall of the Arlington Mansion be re-set in the floor of the front portico at each end of the portico and near the front wall of the main building.

c. May 3, 1929. Disapproved. - The amphitheater is not suitably constructed for office purposes. There is also a sentimental and practicable objection to transacting business in this building. The office of the Superintendent will be retained in the small room on the south end (room 117) of the Arlington Mansion, using the door through the conservatory for entrance. This will shut the office off from the rest of the building and the office can be retained there until the new lodge containing the office is authorized by Congress and constructed.

d. That, if it is found to be impossible or impracticable to locate the office and the several memorials referred to in above paragraph in the Memorial Amphitheater, a building be constructed adjacent to or connected with the quarters for the superintendent suitable to house the office and the memorials. Attention is invited to memorandum of the Quartermaster Supply Officer, this City, dated April 22, herewith annexed and marked Exhibit "A". Careful consideration should be given the opinions expressed and recommendations made by the Quartermaster Supply Officer.

d. See above. May 3, 1929.

e. That the two outbuildings and slave quarters and the summer kitchen building be restored as nearly as possible to their original condition to illustrate their original uses.

e. Approved. May 3, 1929.

f. That one room in the slave quarters be furnished and equipped to serve as an information and reception room, but that no changes be made in the exterior of the building to accomplish this result.

f. Approved. May 3, 1929.

g. That the exterior of the main building be reconditioned and repaired without change to its present general appearance, except the addition of a proper type of railing around the roofs of the North and South Wings and the substitution of stone steps for the wooden steps around the main portico.

g. Approved. May 3, 1929. - Except that the installation of stone steps will be given a very late priority inasmuch as the original steps were wood and the present wooden steps are serving their purpose.

h. That the interior be restored and repaired generally; that only temporary partitions be removed; that the arrangement of rooms in the North Wing be allowed to remain, as well as the arches in the double parlors north of main hall; that the large room (room 115) in the South Wing be furnished as the state dining room; that this room and the main drawing room south of the central doorway (room 112) have new marble mantels installed similar to those in the double parlors; that all the modern flooring be removed and (rooms 108-109) the original old floors restored; that an effort be made to discover reported mural decorations under the present paint in main drawing room (room 112); that mantels on second floor be replaced with mantels of Colonial period.

h. This paragraph we analyze as follows: May 3, 1929

(1) That the interior be restored and repaired generally. Approved.

(2) That only temporary partitions be removed. [Approved].

(3) That the arrangement of rooms in the north wing be allowed to remain. [Approved].

(4) As well as the arches in the double parlors north of main hall [rooms 108 and 109] [Approved].

(5) That the large room in the south wing [Room 115] be furnished as the state dining room. [Approved].

(6) That this room and the main drawing [rooms 115 and 112] south of the central doorway have marble mantels installed similar to those in the double parlors. - To be done if funds permit.

(7) That all the modern flooring be removed and the original old floors restored. - Approved.

(8) That an effort be made to discover reported mural decorations under the present paint in main drawing rooms [room 115] - Approved.

(9) That mantels on second floor be replaced with mantels of Colonial period - Approved.

i. The layout of proposed driveway, as submitted with estimate of February 28, 1929, was discussed in general, insofar as it related to the immediate surroundings of Arlington Mansion and it was suggested that the drive between the Mansion and the former south flower garden, as well as the drive on the south and east sides of the old flower garden be eliminated; that a turn-around and parking space be provided in the rear of the Mansion, thus preserving this entire section for use of pedestrians undisturbed by automobile traffic.

i. Layout of proposed driveway: May 3, 1929.

(1) The layout for roads, sidewalks and garden will be made the subject of a separate study and plans prepared by landscape architect. There should be an old-fashioned garden provided and it should also be borne in mind that automobile traffic and automobile parking should be kept removed to a distance from the Mansion and its immediate outbuildings.

(2) The location of the proposed new quarters for the superintendent was also discussed. The site chosen by the Quartermaster Supply Officer, Washington General Depot, was not favorably considered by the members of the Committee nor by the Chairman of the Fine Arts Commission, because of the natural beauty of the section suggested and difficulty of constructing such a building without destroying the natural beauty of the spot. It was suggested that a better location for this building would be adjacent to the new entrance to the Cemetery between it and Sheridan Gate on ground now controlled by the Cemetery, (bearing in mind the fact that the present limits of the Cemetery will undoubtedly be extended in connection with the approaches from the Memorial Bridge), screened from the entrance with proper planting and landscaping.

(2) The location of the new quarters for the Superintendent will also be made the subject of further study. (May 3, 1929)

At a meeting held on April 24, 1929, the Committee on Furnishings developed basic guidelines that were followed from 1929 to 1931. Brigadier General William H. Horton, Chairman, reported to the quartermaster general:

1. The Committee in charge of formulation of plans for the rehabilitation of the Arlington Mansion feels that the time has arrived for the statement of a definite policy with respect to refurnishing the house. Several lots of furniture have already been offered for acceptance and must be inspected in the near future, which demands that the person designated to make the inspection be given explicit instructions for his guidance.

The preliminary steps are felt to be as follows:

(a) The Committee should make a complete list of the furniture by articles that these rooms should contain.

(b) In formulating this list, the Committee should use all available data as to the actual articles known to have been in the house. For this purpose an inventory of the will of John Parke Custis, an inventory of articles by Lossing in "Harpers Monthly" and inventory of manuscript article submitted by Mr. Enoch A. Chase may all be consulted.

(c) This should be completed with articles for each room, in addition to the above, which are conformable to the Period and are of such a nature as would probably have been used.

Following is the line of policy recommended to secure the furniture:

(a) Secure identical pieces known to have been in the Mansion whenever obtainable by donation. These will probably be very few in number. For example, the desk that General Robert E. Lee used when writing his resignation from the United States Army has already been returned to Arlington.

(b) Purchase identical pieces authentically known to have been in the Mansion when obtainable at a reasonable rate. These will probably also be few in number.

(c) Order reproductions made of identical pieces known to have been in the house. In this case, of course, no attention is to be paid to the Period of the furniture. For example, copies of set of rosewood furniture in the possession of Dr. Boiling Lee and copies of other Arlington pieces now at Mount Vernon.

(d) Balance of pieces needed to complete the list referred to in Paragraph 1 (a) to be obtained by donation; provided that no furniture is to be accepted unless of the Colonial period.

(e) Purchase of furniture to be kept at a minimum until the source of supply from donation has been exhausted.

2. As a general policy the committee recommends that the furniture to be secured, other than any known to have been in the Mansion prior to the Civil War, should be restricted to original pieces or reproductions of furniture of the Colonial period. [22]

Items G and H of the April 17 and paragraph 2 of the April 24 meetings "memorandums document that architectural historian Charles Moore had succeeded in his plan, as described above, to restore Arlington to the Custis period (ca. 1804) rather than to the period prior to the Civil War." Victorian architectural features and Victorian furniture would be banned from the mansion and such existing features would be replaced by reproductions of "purer Colonial period" mantels and furnishings. By following this "restoration policy", the Quartermaster Corps at the insistence of the Fine Arts Commission destroyed some important original architectural and historical fabric of Arlington House. The Quartermaster Corps accepted and understood architect Moore's plan, for on August 9, 1932, Brigadier General L. H. Bash wrote regarding Arlington House, "By authority of Congress, this Office has restored the old mansion to the condition in which it was during Mr. Custis lifetime." [23] Arlington House was one of the early major restoration projects of the 20th century. Work on Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, was just getting underway in 1928, and during the early years of that project much conjectural "restoration" and reconstruction work was also implemented. Unlike Arlington, however, the clear intent of a federal law was not disregarded at Williamsburg.

B. RESEARCH FOR ARLINGTON HOUSE RESTORATION, 1929-1930

In his undated (ca. 1931) report to the quartermaster general summarizing the restoration work at Arlington, Architect Luther M. Leisenring described the preparatory research done in 1929-30.

Nearly sixty-five years had passed since the Lees left. How did the Mansion look at that time? What was in the house and how was it arranged?

For what was the ground surrounding the house used? These major questions and many minor questions in detail must be answered.

All available old pictures, artists' sketches, magazine articles and old maps were carefully studied, folklore and first hand recollections of former slaves and their descendents was gathered and the information thus obtained was collected into a visionary replica of what had once been the beautiful and imposing Mansion. [24]

An examination of the extensive restoration files for the 1929-31 period reveals that the quartermaster general, or his agents, wrote numerous letters to scholars and members of the Lee family who might have some knowledge of the history of the mansion and its furnishings. In response to one such letter, Douglas S. Freeman, editor of the Richmond, Virginia, News Leader and noted biographer of Robert E. Lee and George Washington, responded on April 22, 1929:

Answering your [Col. Bash's] letter of April 18, I beg to say that there is a singular dearth of material regarding Arlington. My own opinion is that the glories of the place have been greatly exaggerated, and that Arlington was never anything more than a fairly comfortable country house, except, of course, for Washington Relics.

He added, rather inaccurately as it turned out, "General Lee's own correspondence, virtually all of which I have examined, contains nothing of any consequence to help in refurnishing the place." [25]

The incoming letters, however, did provide the names of various authors and titles of numerous articles or books that contained some mention or information on Arlington House. Armed with this information, Architect Leisenring, or his assistants, proceeded to the Library of Congress to collect the data from these published sources. Unfortunately, they found little or no information on the architectural evolution and furnishings of the house. Leisenring did make a valuable contribution by interviewing several former Lee slaves that were still alive in 1929 and 1930. The Custis-Lee family letters (the de Lutta-Ely Collection and the George Bolling Lee Collections) were privately owned and not available to the War Department restoraton for examination, hence the alterations and improvements made by Custis and Lee from 1802 to 1861 remained undocumented and known only from limited sources and physical investigations. Knowledge was inadequate for complete and fully accurate restoration of the mansion.

In fairness to Architect Leisenring, it should again be mentioned that the 1929-31 restoration work at Arlington was a pioneer project. In view of limited sources available to them the restoration was conservative in its approach to the physical fabric of the buildings. If already in place, a physical feature was generally retained unless proven to be post 1861. If stability required replacement, it was done in material and technique to resemble the original. Leisenring's reading of the physical evidence and efforts to locate and apply documentation was well in advance of the state of the art. His adherence to the legislative mandate was admirable in face of pressure from the Fine Arts Commission to restore to an earlier and more artistically palatable kept these to a minimum. Where fabric was removed due to Fine Arts Commission demands, (e.g., mantel removal in white parlor), the fabric was retained on site and fully documented. Without documentation available to later researchers, Leisenring found and restored the old door to the boys' chamber from the small chamber, with only a four-year error in dating physical material with which Mrs. Lee had closed off this opening in 1857. The Quartermaster Corps obliterated the evidence of 60 years of intrusive use with great success and a minimum of errors. Awareness of lack of documentation, respect for original fabric, and limited funding helped minimize damage to original fabric and supported accurate restoration in keeping with the legislative mandate.

The Quartermaster Corps and the Commission of Fine Arts knowledge of the architectural history of Arlington House can be seen in extracts from a letter written by Brigadier General L. H. Bash Arno B. Cammerer, Secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts, dated March 10, 1931: [26]

The two wings were built first and the central portion of the house, with its massive columns, is said to have been built from the plans of George Hadfield, an English architect, who came to this country with the intention of designing the new Capitol. As to when the mansion was completed is uncertain but Mrs. Robert E. Lee stated in a letter [published in 1886] it was never completed until just before the [Civil] war. The family lived in the wings many years.

In 1853, Benson J. Lossing, the historian and artist, visited at Arlington and made sketches of a number of artifacts and pictures in the Mansion. He wrote an article which was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, September 1853, and which has been of great value to the War Department in the work of rehabilitation.

In undertaking the work of restoration, old records were consulted, contemperaneous writings relating to Arlington read, and ex-slaves born on the estate were consulted. The house itself was in comparatively poor condition. The bricks used in its construction were burned on the estate, and the lime is said to have been made from oyster shells burned there. Some of the brick had crumbled and had be to be replaced. . . .

A newspaper article in the Washington Star, July 5, 1931, written by Will P. Kennedy and based on an extended interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Mortimer who was in charge of the work at Arlington, dated the construction of the house:

The Lee Mansion itself was started in 1803. Custis first built the north wing and here his wife moved in while the rest of the house was being built. This wing was a complete house with a hipped roof. When the work of restoring the mansion was in progress the framing of this hipped roof was found in the attic.

Custis lived in the North Wing while the main part of the Mansion and the South Wing were being built. The South Wing is a duplicate of the North Wing, except interior partition. . .

The partitioning in the North Wing is an interesting feature. It was originally intended to be one large room as in the South Wing, and Custis had put in the chimney breast, but divided it into two rooms, for temporary occupancy. But the fireplace was never finished and the partition still stands so these two rooms are being preserved and furnished as nearly as possible as they were when occupied by the Custis couple.

The Quartermaster Corps and the Commission of Fine Arts did not know when the main house was built, but dated it at some undetermined time after 1804 and prior to 1826. The exact years, 1817-18, were not to be established until research by Murray Nelligan was completed, 1948-53.

C. RESTORATION OF ARLINGTON HOUSE, 1928-1931

On May 3 the quartermaster general acted on the restoration committee's recommendations of April 17 and April 24, 1929. Colonel L. H. Bash, assistant to and acting on behalf of the quartermaster general, translated these decisions into detailed orders and instructions for the quartermaster supply officer, Washington Depot, as follows:

1. May 29, 1929, five-page typed memo with 29 specific instructions to guide the restoration work. [27]

2. July 29, 1929, two-page letter with seven additional detailed instructions. [28]

3. September 30, 1929, two-page typed letter with nine orders. [29]

4. November 13, 1929, two-page typed letter with 13 more detailed instructions. [30]

The quartermaster general's office began to provide the quartermaster supply officer with plans or blueprints and specifications for restoration work:

1. Drawings and specifications for the new heating system (Drawings Nos. 6608 - 161, 162, 163, or NCP 2.3 - 1, 2 and 3) dated September 9, on September 11, 1929. [31]

2. Drawing 6608-173, September 14, on September 18, 1929 for new basement windows (Drawing NCP-2.3 - 13). [32]

3. Specifications for Fire Alarm System, September 18, 1929. [33]

4. Drawings Nos. 6608-164, 165, 166 (or NCP 2.3 - 4, 5 and 6) dated September 17 and sent on September 20, 1929, for locations of electrical outlets in the mansion.

5. Drawings Nos. 6608-167, and 168 (or NCP 2.3 - 7 and 8) dated October 8 and sent on October 9, 1929 for roof balustrades on north and wings. [34] (Revised drawings of 168, dated November 15, sent on November 16, 1929).

6. Drawings Nos. 170 and 171 of 6608 (or NCP 2, 3 - 10 and 11), dated October 10 and sent October 12, 1929, showing details of mantels and fireplaces, and hearths for Rooms Nos. 2 [115] and 19 [207]. Mantels to be reconstructed of white pine. [35]

7. Drawing No. 6608 - 176 (NCP-2.3. -15), dated October 14, and sent October 18, 1929, for details of the crane for the fireplace in the winter kitchen in Basement room BO-2 under the north wing. [36]

8. Drawing No. 6608-176 (NCP-2.3. -29), dated October 14, 1929, and sent November 1, 1929, for heating vents in Rooms Nos. 10 and 11 [101A and 101B]. [37]

9. Drawings Nos. 6608-169 and 174 (NCP 2.3 - 9 and 29), dated October 8, and sent on November 13, 1929, for two marble mantels to be reconstructed and placed in Room No. 4 [room No. 112-the Lee 1855 parlor]. [38]

10. Drawing No. 6608 - 181, first furniture drawing, showing part to be added to back of four poster bed, sent on November 18, 1929. [39]

11. Quartermaster general's orders on finishing old floors, December 8, 1929. [40]

12. Drawings Nos. 6608 - 179 and 200 (NCP 2.3 - 17 and 30) dated October 25 and December 13, and submitted on December 14, 1929, showing details and location of door guards to be installed in Arlington House. [41]

13. Drawing No. 6608-195 (NCP - 2.3 - 23), December 20, 1929 and transmitted December 20, 1929 - change order and drawing for mantels in Room 4 (112). [42]

Lieutenant Colonel Mortimer, the quartermaster supply officer, Washington Depot, who was responsible for supervising the restoration of Arlington House, submitted two progress reports in September and November:

1. September 24, 1929, three-page typed report. [43]

2. November 21, 1929, eight-page typed report. [44]

As a result of the quartermaster supply officer's activities, three contracts for improvements to Arlington House were made and approved by the quartermaster general. These were:

1. Contract for installation of new heating system, Crawford Company of Washington, D.C., dated September 28, 1929. [45] Approved November 5, 1929.

2. Contract for installation of new fire alarm system for mansion, [46] Automac Fire Alarm Company of America dated November 6, 1929. Approved November 7, 1929, for total of $1,744.00.

3. Contract for installing metal door guards, A.F. Jones Iron Works, Inc., dated January 6, 1930, for total of $466.00. [47]

In Mortimers progress report "Statement re Completion of Restoration of Lee Mansion," dated November 21, 1929, it was stated:

1. Of the $90,000 appropriated in Public Law No. 1035—70th Congress, approved March 4, 1929, $26,100 was required for exterior work, $35,400 for interior work, and $28,500 for furniture.

2. Expenditures have been made to date (November 21, 1929) as follows:

Exterior work	$12,189.00
Interior work	6,469.69
Furniture	272.72
Total	$18,931.41

Obligations have been incurred to date (November 21, 1929) in addition to the above expenditures:

Exterior work	$9,516.00
Interior work	11,255.55
Furniture	276.00
Total	$21,747.55
Grand Total - Expended and obligated	$40,678.96. [48]

On March 6, 1930, Brigadier General Bash wrote to Charles Moore, stating:

The reconditioning of Arlington Mansion with its adjacent buildings in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, is practically completed. A small amount of furniture has been installed as a beginning but more will be obtained from time to time, as it becomes available.

In view of the provisions of Act of Congress, approved March 4, 1925, it is thought that the Commission at its convenience might wish to view the work already accomplished. There will be no formal opening of the premises, the public being permitted access thereto as at all times heretofore. [49]

The Commission of Fine Arts inspected the Arlington House restoration project on March 20, 1929, and on the following day, Chairman Moore reported to General Bash on their findings. He wrote:

The Committee of Fine Arts, at their meeting yesterday, inspected the Arlington Mansion, in accordance with your request of March 6th. The Committee were satisfied with all the work except putting back of the [Victorian 1855 Lee] mantels in the east [south] room [room 112]. These mantels are bad in themselves, were not part of the original house, and are a conspicuous blot on the otherwise excellent work of restoration. The Commission advise an immediate change in the mantels, however simple, that will preserve the old lines of the fireplaces. [50]

On April 9, 1930, General Bash provided Mortimer with data on the financial status of the Arlington House restoration project:

Object	Expended	Obligated	Total
Building	$49,480.93	$52.38	$$49,533.31
Furniture	$3,088.11	$345.00	$3,433.11
Total	$$52,569.04	$$397.38	$$52,966.42

Allotment	$90,000.00
Less total house and furnishings	52,966.42
Total balance available	$37,033.58
Balance for work on houses	$12,121.69
Balance for furniture	24,911.89
Total balance available	$37,033.58
Appropriation for 1931 fiscal year =	$10,000.00	(for furniture).
Total available, 1930:	$47,033.58 [51]

On June 6, 1930, after noting that a total of $110,000 had been appropriated for restoration work on Arlington House to date, it was reported that expenditures stood as follows:

For restoration of mansion:		$63,531.00
For Furnishings:		4,183.20
Total Expended:		$67,714.20
Obligated	for mansion	822.00
	For furnishings	923.13
Total obligated:		$1,745.11 [52]

On July 17, 1930, the Commission of Fine Arts again inspected Arlington House and Moore wrote to Bash complaining:

Every time the members of the Commission of Fine Arts got to the Arlington Mansion they ask[ed] when the mantels in the south room are to be changed to make them harmonious with the remainder of the house. Just at present they are a rather ghastly piece of Mid-Victorian.... [53]

On November 10, 1930, Mortimer provided H. Bash with another progress report that showed the following expenditures had been made:

	Allotment	Expended	Balance
1931 - furniture	$10,000	$1,950.89	$8,049.11
1929 house & furniture	90,000	68,002.91	21,997.09
Totals:	$100,000	$69,953.80	$30,046.20

The restoration work on the house and outbuildings was considered to be complete by April 1931.

By the fall of 1931, however, the Quartermaster Corps had not yet managed to have "Colonial" mantels (reproductions of mantels in place in family parlor and dining room) made to replace the two Victorian marble mantels that Col. Robert E. Lee had installed on the fireplaces in Room 112 in 1855. This occassioned further criticism from Chairman Moore on October 1, 1931. He wrote:

Everytime the Committee of Fine Arts inspects the Arlington Mansion they have been disturbed by the retention of the mantels in the room to the southeast. I understood you to say you had taken up the question of having the old mantels in the western room duplicated but that the expense was prohibitive. There are two mantels of the period in the Y.M.C.A. house on B Street. Will you look at these mantels and see if they will answer your purpose. [55]

The Quartermaster Corps, however, had managed to obtain a contract to carve two marble mantels in London, and in early 1932 the two old Lee mantels were removed and replaced by the reproduction Colonial period mantels. The restoration of Arlington House had finally been completed in accordance with Chairman Moore's plan.

Between 1928 and 1931, Congress appropriated a total of $110,000 to restore Arlington House: $71,500 for work on the mansion and two outbuildings and $38,500 to furnish these three structures. Between August 1, 1928, and November 10, 1930, the quartermaster spent approximately $75,354 on the project—about $69,353 on the three historic structures and $5,601 on furnishings. The following chart lists the appropriations and expenditures for the restoration of Arlington House from fiscal year 1930 and 1931 funds:

1. Exterior Restoration, 1928-31

On August 1, 1928, the quartermaster general informed the quartermaster supply officer of the Washington Depot that Congress had appropriated $10,000.00 for the restoration of Arlington House and that L. M. Leisenring, architect of the quartermaster general's office, had been placed in charge of the restoration work. Leisenring was to work in cooperation with the quarter-master supply officer. In his instructions the quartermaster general wrote:

While the work to be done under this appropriation consists largely of repair, it is necessary that this should be carried out strictly in accordance with old methods, and every detail should be carefully supervised to avoid irreparable injury to work which must be preserved in its historic character. This work is only a part of that which will be eventually accomplished to restore this old building to its condition immediately prior to the Civil War, when it was in every respect in furniture as well as in construction a typical example of a Colonial mansion of the later period. . . .

A detailed description of the recommended exterior work included:

MAIN BUILDING [MANSION] - Exterior Work

New doors, basement entrance doors & frames
New casement sash, frames and shutters
Repairs to rear [west] entrance steps
Repair sash and broken glass
Replace deteriorated woodwork of cornice
Copper gutters
Copper goosenecks
Copper wire guards - at outlets
Cast iron ground connections
Copper downspouts
Copper hips and ridges
Renew flashing at chimneys
6" Tile Drain, furnish and lay
Point and repair stucco
Scrape and paint 2 coats, exterior
Renew broken slate

Total for exterior of Main Building $3,800.00. [56]

Much of this effort was repair work and represented deferred maintenance which the quartermaster general had been putting off since the mid-1920s. If the workmen followed their instructions, reconstructed basement doors and windows would duplicate those that were being replaced. As a part of this work Drawing No. 6608-1069 (or NCP-2.3-38), a "layout showing new copper gutter & down spouts, leader heads & ground drains from house," dated September 21, 1928, was produced.

At the meeting of the quartermaster general's special committee on restoration, held on April 17, 1929, it was recommended:

That the exterior of the main building be reconditioned and repaired without change to its present appearance, except the addition of a proper type of railing around the roofs of the North and South wings and the substitution of stone steps for the wooden steps around the main [front or east] portico. [57]

On May 3, 1929, the quartermaster general approved this plan

except that that installation of stone steps will be given a very late priority inasmuch as the original steps were wood and the present wooden steps are serving their purpose. [58]

a. Brick Floor and Stone Steps, East (Front) Portico

In his detailed instructions issued to the depot quartermaster officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bash wrote on behalf of the quartermaster general on May 29, 1929:

Item No. 10- Repair and re-lay [1851 brick] floor of the portico of the main building and construct new stone steps, as per Drawing No. 6608-1070 prepared by the QMGO. . . . In securing the estimates for these stone steps, it is desired to secure an alternative price for supporting the steps on 18 inch brick spur walls securely anchored to the present exterior walls of the portico, then carry down to the same levels as concrete foundation shown on Drawing. The construction of the stone steps will not be done until it is ascertained whether or not present funds will be sufficient to cover the cost of same. No action will be taken on the steps until approval obtained from the Quartermaster General. [59]

The depot quartermaster supply officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mortimer, reported on September 24, 1929, that the special bricks for the portico floor were on order. Funds to accomplish this portion of the project were authorized on April 9 by Bash, but in November of that year Mortimer was still only able to report that the materials for the new floor were still on order. Designs were being prepared for new stone steps to the portico and stone sills and to the rear [west] exterior doors and doors to two outbuildings. [60] The decision to actually construct the stone steps, however, had not been made. [61]

On April 9, 1930, Bash advised Mortimer, under the head of "Work to be done on Mansion...", that the sum of $450.00 was available for repairs and relaying of the portico floor with with Octagonal bricks."

In his progress report dated November 10, 1930, Mortimer wrote that the floor work was "in progress, being approximately 90% completed."

The 1851 brick floor of the east portico was thus replaced by a similar brick floor in 1930 at an approximate cost of $450.00. However, the plan to replace the wooden steps on the east portico, which had been a feature of this porch since 1818, with stone steps, was never executed by the Quartermaster Corps during the period 1928-33, apparently because of the high cost. [62]

b. Balustrades on Roofs of North and South Wings

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster officer to "Construct wooden balustrades at eaves lines of roofs on north and south wings." [63] The estimated cost was $3,200. On October 9, 1929, the quartermaster general sent copies of Drawings No. 6608—167 and 188 (or NCP — 2.3 — 7 and 8) dated October 8, 1929, which showed scale and full sized details of the wood balustrades. The depot supply officer was instructed to erect and make a temporary section on the southeast side of the south wing to determine whether any changes should have been made in the details before the work was carried to completion. [64]

On November 16, 1929, apparently as a result of this test, Bash submitted Drawing No. 6608—168 as revised November 15th (Drawing No. NCP — 2.3-8). He commented:

This shows certain changes desired to be made in the details of the balustrade . . . It will be noted that the turned balusters have not been changed, except that the base of these has been made slightly lower. The total height, however, has been reduced as well as the profile of the cap moulding of width of bands surrounding the panels. [65]

The roof balustrades might have been installed on the north and south wings during the period November 1929 to April 1930 because the item is not listed among the projects that remained to be completed as of April 9, 1930. [66] This work attempted to restore a feature that had adorned the wing roofs from 1818 to around 1857. Robert E. Lee removed the old rotten parapets when he put gravel roofs on the north and south wings in 1858 and to keep the roof from leaking never rebuilt the parapets. It should be noted that the reconstructed balustrades were not like the old parapets in design and were not located in the same position as old parapets. See drawings from 1824, 1843, and 1853.

c. Basement Windows

On September 18, 1929, the quartermaster general's office sent Drawing No. 6608—173 (or NCP 2.3-13, dated September 14, 1929), "showing new casement sash and the replacement of old iron bars in all [eleven] basement windows of Arlington House. It is believed that in most cases the existing window frames can be extended to accommodate the sash and the outside shutters, which have been shown for some of the windows.

It will be noted that in Window No. 1, the sash and frame are divided into two parts, with a metal fresh air register in one-half, to be used in connection with the heating system, plans and specifications for which were forwarded to your office last week. The size of the fresh air register has been changed from 18 by 18, as called for on heating plans to 12 x 24. . . .

The sash have been shown as hinged at the bottom to swing in. Hardware should be of the simplest character, with bolts, strap hinges, hooks and eyes, all of unfinished iron or steel, to maintain the colonial character of the work. [67]

The May 29, 1929, instructions of the quartermaster general, directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to "renew rotted and damaged window sash, doors and frames wherever necessary." [68] On September 24, 1929, Mortimer reported that estimates were "being secured for mill work" to complete this work. [69] On November 21, 1929, it was stated, "Renewal of rotted and damaged window sash, doors and frames, approximately 50% completed." [70] This work was finished by April 9, 1930 at a cost of some $2,900.00. [71]

d. Chimneys

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to "open up and clean out all flues in all chimneys down to the fireplaces or other openings from whence they start." He was to "insert in tops of all chimney flues heavy copper wire screens to keep out birds and squirrels." [72] The quartermaster general issued a change order on September 30, 1929, which specified that "the tops of chimneys will have their flues closed by means of slate slabs, in lieu of copper wire screening previously directed." [73]

On October 1, 1929, the quartermaster supply officer wrote to the quartermaster general:

Instructions are requested regarding the four large chimneys on the mansion. These chimneys are constructed of very poor quality brick similar to that found in the basement walls and are only 4" in thickness. It is thought that some provision should be made for strengthening these chimneys or they should be entirely reconstructed. [74]

In change orders issued on November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general directed that the chimneys on the main building, "due to their deteriorated condition, will be taken down and rebuilt, using the old brick insofar as practical and all brick to be laid in Portland cement mortar. These chimneys to be of same dimensions as original chimneys and to be stuccoed on the outside to match present work and to be capped with slate." [75] The work was completed prior to April 9, 1930. [76]

e. Pediment on East and West Facades of Main Building

On November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general directed, that no work be done on "the Pediments on East [front] and west [rear] facades on Main [Center] Building...." The pediments "originally were apparently stuccoed and marked off to imitate stone. They are now sheeted up with wood. No change will be made in this construction." [77]

f. Roofing Materials for Mansion

In orders issued on November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general reported that, "the roofs of the building are at present slate. It has been suggested that these should be replaced with asbestos cement shingles imitating old wood split shingles. This change will not be made. The present slate roof will be retained, but repaired if necessary." [78]

The original roofs of the mansion and its two wings had, of course, been covered with wood shingles until 1858. In 1858, however, Robert E. Lee had covered the main house with slate and the two wings with gravel roofs. The extant slate roof dates from 1908.

g. Shutters, Steps, and Roof Repairs

On November 21, 1929, the quartermaster general was advised that "Shutters, steps, and roof repairs [had been] completed." [79]

h. Exterior Painting

In his orders issued on May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed that "when all other work is completed, finish any necessary painting on the exterior of the building." [80]

In his progress report dated September 24, 1929, Mortimer informed the quartermaster general, "All exterior walls and cornice painted. Some exterior woodwork on windows and doors to be completed during October." [81] No effect was made, however, to marbleize the eight columns on the east or front portico to restore their appearance to the period 1858-1870.

In his 1931 summary report of the restoration of Arlington House, Architect L.M. Leisenring described the exterior work as follows:

The first act of restoration was to discontinue the use of the Mansion as living quarters and the removal of modern improvements. This general discard of improvements was followed by a careful examination in all parts of the structure from foundation to roof and the replacement of every crumbled brick and decayed timber which could be found. The bricks used in walls were made by hand upon the site and the wear of time had reduced many to a state of disintegration. Many used in basement walls and chimneys, where they were exposed, were entirely gone or what remained was only red earth, easily removed with the fingers. This condition of the brick work required considerable rebuilding of basement walls and the reconstruction of chimneys from the second floor ceiling to tops. The condition of timbers necessitated the reconstruction of cornices, replacement of many beams and joists, flashings on the west [rear] gable, and the roof of the conservatory [room 116-South Wing]. The reconstruction of these portions of the building was done with extreme care to duplicate the members used in the original work. [82]

The documentary evidence indicates that between August 1, 1928, and April 9, 1930, the Quartermaster Corps completed the exterior restoration of Arlington House, with the exception of the reconstruction of the brick floor on the east (front) portico which was finished in December 1930. The evidence strongly suggests that the Quartermaster Corps carefully reproduced existing features that had to be replaced on the exterior. "Colonial" features, except perhaps in the hardware, were not introduced on the outside work. The only features added were reconstructions of roof balustrades for the north and south wings, architectural adornments that were reminiscent of parapets probably removed in 1858 when new roofs were put on wings. Plans to replace the wooden steps that had served the east portico since 1818 with stone steps were abandoned in 1930, apparently because of cost factors.

2. Interior Restoration, 1929-31

On June 30, 1928, as has been mentioned, the engineering division of the Quartermaster Corps had proposed spending $4,353 to repair or "restore" the interior of Arlington House. On August 1, 1928, the quartermaster general had vetoed the proposals for interior work, so that the restoration of rooms in the mansion did not commence until 1929.

Architect L. M. Leisenring, writing in 1931, described existing conditions in 1929 in Arlington House:

This building had been used since 1864 as quarters for the superintendent and the gardener of Arlington [National Cemetery], who occupied the entire building with the exception of the central hall [room 111] and three rooms of the first floor [rooms 112, 115, and 117]. These latter were, without furnishings, open to the public. Modern improvements had been made, the badly worn floors had been covered with modern oak and maple flooring, the entire building was heated with steam, all rooms were provided with electric lights and modern plumbing and bathrooms had been installed on each floor. [83]

a. Removal of Memorials from Arlington House

In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot quartermaster supply officer to remove all trophies and memorials except the two large bronze plates now in the central hall [room 111] of the mansion to a suitable location. He stated:

When permission has been obtained [from the Secretary of War], work of removal must be done with great care in order that no damage be done to the pieces removed. In the case of the "Honor Roll of Soldiers who Served in the Spanish-American War", the brick foundation under the marble pedestal shall be entirely removed, including its footing, and the cellar floor [under room 112] leveled and repaved. In the case of the two bronze plates in the central hall, these will be removed and stored to permit the wall underneath being refilled. [84]

This work was completed by September 24, 1929, [85] at a cost of some $1,000.00. [86]

b. Rewiring Mansion

The December 11, 1928, estimate contained an item of $1,000.00 for improved electrical services from Fort Myer to Arlington House. [87] In the progress report dated November 21, 1929, it was reported that the "additional electric service from Fort Myer [was] completed." [88]

The December 11, 1928, estimate also contained $1,500.00 for "Electric Wiring, Main Building, floor & base plug outlets only, except in basement." [89] On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot quartermaster supply office to "remove all old [1914] electric light wiring or gas piping now in the buildings and install a new system with floor plugs and a certain number of fixtures for emergency illumination, in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by the QMGO." [90] On September 24, Mortimer reported, "All removals called for completed. . ." [91]

On September 20, 1929, the quartermaster general's office transmitted Drawings Nos. 6608 - 164, 165, 166 (or NCP 2.3-4, 5 and 6) showing locations for electric outlets in the basement, and first and second floors of Arlington Mansion. Also enclosed were outlined specifications for the installation of this work, and the depot supply officer was authorized "to proceed with this work by the purchase and hire method." [92] On November 21 it was reported, "Electric wiring main building, floor and base plug outlets only, except in basement, approximately 50% completed." [93] This work was completed by March 1930, when the mansion was opened to visitors. [94]

c. Removal of Kitchen Ranges and Plumbing

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply office to "remove the ranges, plumbing fixtures and piping and open up fireplaces in room 13 [room 104 - kitchen] and in the winter kitchen immediately below this room in the cellar. Refinish these as old open fireplaces with cranes and other utensils." [95] This work involved the removal of kitchen ranges and sinks from rooms 104 and 203 as well as and also the water closet and bath tub from rooms 102-103.

In further orders issued on July 29, the quartermaster directed that "all plumbing [should be removed] from room 23 [room 202 - water closet and bath tub in the second floor 1885 bathroom]. This room should be restored to its original condition in the same way as other rooms in the first floor." [96] On September 24, 1929, Mortimer reported, "All work of this completed except that part requiring specifications by quartermaster general's office which have not been furnished." [97] On October 18, 1929, Drawing No. 6608 (or NCP 2.3 - 15), dated October 14, 1929, for the fireplace crane for the winter kitchen was sent to the depot supply officer. [98]

In orders issued by the quartermaster general on September 30 it was stated that "utensils for fireplace will be procured by the office of the quartermaster general." On November 13, 1929, it was announced that "iron cranes will be provided for fireplace in cellar kitchen and summer kitchen, all as shown on plan prepared by this office..." [99] The fireplace cranes were apparently installed in both the mansion and outbuilding by March 1930.

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot supply officer to "remove all plumbing fixtures from room no. 3 [room 114] and restore this room as similar rooms in north wing. Provide toilet and lavatory for guards at location to be approved by the quartermaster general." [100] This project involved the removal of three water closets and a sink that had been installed as a ladies toilet room in 1910. On September 24, Mortimer reported that this work could not "be undertaken until removal of [cemetery] office to new location. This will be done early in October." [101] In orders issued on November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general directed that a "lavatory will be installed in this room [room 12 or 102] where indicated on plan prepared by this office." [102] The plan provided for a water closet in the room [102]; a water closet had been installed in room 103. The old plumbing was thus removed from the house, and a new lavatory for the use of the guards and mansion staff was installed in room 102 in December 1929.

d. New Heating System Installed in Outbuilding

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot supply officer to remove all of the "present heating system in main building, including radiators and piping, and install a new system with concealed radiators and pipes operated from central heating plant, as per drawing and specifications by the quartermaster general." [103] In orders issued on July 29, it was announced, "It has been determined that central heating plant will be placed in the basement of the public comfort station, the walls of this building being underpinned and carried down to a proper depth." [104]

The estimate of December 11, 1928, contained items of $12,000 for construction of the boiler house and its trenches for the pipes and $4,500 for "Heating Main Building, radiators, grills, etc." [105] The heating system being removed had been installed in 1906. On September 24, 1929, Mortimer reported, "All removals completed except Boiler which had been ordered and will be moved to building occupied by European Claims Unit at Fort Myers within ten days." [106] On September 11 the quartermaster general's office sent Drawings Nos. 6608 - 161, 162, and 163 (or NCP 2.3 - 1, 2 and 3), dated September 9, 1929, for the installation of the new heating system, together with specifications for this work, to the depot supply officer. [107] Mortimer reported that bids for this work would be opened on September 27. [108]

In additional orders, dated November 13, 1929, it was announced, "Rooms 10 [101A] and 11 [101B] are practically one room. Two corner cupboards will be constructed to conceal radiators for heating this room." Mortimer also directed that "an exposed radiator will be installed in this room [No. 12 or 102 - the new lavatory] to provide necessary heating." [109] During the restoration of the mansion in 1929, Room No. 13, [104] served as the temporary office of the superintendent, and Room No. 10-11, [101A and 101B], was used by the cemetery work force. [110]

The contract for installing the heating plant in Arlington House, dated September 28, 1929, was awarded to the Crawford Company of Washington, D.C., and approved by the quartermaster general on November 5, 1929. [111] On November 1 copies of Drawing No. 6608-178, showing "the method approved for securing heat in rooms 10 and 11," were provided to the depot supply officer. [112]

Four change orders for the heating contract, No. W 950— QM — 649, were issued in 1929: No. A on November 16; No. B on November 26; No. C., covering the installation of radiator in Room No. 12 [102], December 4; and No. D, December 4. [113]

The new heating system was installed and functioning by March 1930. Architect Leisenring described this work in 1931:

Next came the question of heating this building for the comfort of the visiting public in winter. With this end in view the boiler was located in an adjacent building, not only to remove a modern utility from the Mansion, but also to reduce the fire hazard by elimination of all fires within. Hot water heat was provided, with all installation within the Mansion confined to the basement and concealed as far as possible. The heat to rooms on the first floor was brought through gratings in the fireplaces, thus eliminating the necessity of placing radiators in the rooms to contrast with their colonial furnishings. [114]

e. Installation of Automatic Fire Alarm System

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general announced that "an electric fire protection system to sound an alarm from any room, with alarm in guard-room" would be installed in Arlington House. The December 11, 1928 estimate included an item of $2,500 for the "Automatic Fire Alarm System." On September 18, 1929, the quartermaster general's office provided the depot supply officer with specifications for the fire alarm system and directed him to advertise for bids. The contract was awarded to the lowest bider, the Atmo Automatic Fire Alarm Company of America on November 6, 1929 at $1,744.00 (Contract No. W 950 — QM — 668). [115]

The Atmo Automatic Fire Alarm Company prepared seven detailed drawings, Nos. 747 to 752 (NCP 2.3 - 56 - 62), showing diagrams for the installation of the system on the basement, first and second story, and attic levels of Arlington House. The system was also installed in the two outbuildings and the guards' and boiler room.

A change order—No. A—was issued on February 3, 1930. [116] On February 20, the quartermaster general informed the depot quartermaster supply officer:

The proposal of the Atmo Automatic Fire Alarm Company of America for installing an automatic gong system in the Ft. Myers Fire Station and connecting this service with the automatic fire alarm system at Arlington Mansion has been reviewed and is satisfactory. It is requested that this work be accomplished at a cost of $98.70 and paid for from funds set up for the restoration of the Lee Mansion. [117]

As part of this project the Atmo Company produced Drawing No. 782 (or NCP 2.3 - 63), dated February 10, 1930, entitled "Gong Extension for Fire Alarm. . ."

On January 9, 1930, the quartermaster general also instructed the 3rd Corps Area quartermaster:

A complete automatic fire alarm system has been installed with signal equipment located in a guard's room. In order that prompt notification may be made to the Fort Myer Fire Department it will be advisable to install a telephone in the guard's room and connect this telephone in the fire station at the post . . . .

This was to be done without passing through the central telephone exchange at Fort Myer. The 3rd Corps quartermaster reported that one pair of wires had been extended from the guard room to the fire station on Feb. 24, 1930. [118]

The new fire alarm system was functioning by March 1930. Under Item No. 15, in his May 29, 1929 orders, the quartermaster general had further directed that "a gas fire smothering system" be installed "in the attic of the main building, as per Plans and specifications of the Quartermaster General." This envisioned the installation of the "C-O Two" extinguisher, which was to operate automatically. The gas was to be retained in cylinders and the gas piped to desired locations, where fusible links, at certain temperatures, would release the gas to put out the fire. [119] This system was never installed in Arlington House, probably because it was found to be impracticable.

In his 1931 final restoration report, Architect Leisenring remarked of this work:

The removal of heating and cooking appliances from the building reduced the fire hazard to minimum, both for the further protection of this historic and magnificent structure, an automatic fire alarm system has been installed which will sound the alarm within a few seconds, should a fire start in any room, hall or closet throughout the entire building. With the exception of the fire gong, this silent watchman is invisible to all those not familiar with its location.

f. Metal Guard Rails for Rooms and Rubber Stair Mats

The December 11, 1928, estimates requested $1,500 for guard rails and screens. In his orders to the depot supply officer, dated May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general, instructed him to "provide metal guard rails and screens to the different rooms to keep the general public out, similar to the arrangement at Mount Vernon." On December 14, the quartermaster general provided the depot supply officer with Drawings Nos. 6608 - 179 and 200 (NCP 2.3 - 17 and 30), dated October 25 and December 13, 1929 respectively, [120] showing details and locations of guard rails to be placed in Arlington House. On January 14, 1930, Drawing No. 6608-179, revised January 14, 1930, was sent to the depot supply officer "to show rubber matting, for rubber matts on each stair tread of main or rear stairway." [121] Bids were received and the contract for installing metal door guards in Arlington House was awarded to A. F. Jones Iron Works, Inc., for $446.00 on January 6, 1930. [122]

This work was apparently completed in the mansion, except for Room No. 2 [115]. In the report for April 9, 1930, under the heading of work yet to be completed, it was noted that "Guard rail fence in Room No. 2" was not yet made and the estimated cost was put at $250.00. In the progress report of November 10, 1930, it was recorded that this guard rail had been erected for Room No. 2 or 115.

g. Work in Attic

In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to:

Thoroughly clean out the attic and examine everything which is taken out, in order that no pieces of possible historic interest be destroyed. This should be done under competent supervision. Clear all old dirt from the top of lath and plaster work. No painting is to be done in the attic and no changes made to old frame work, etc., unless such are absolutely necessary. Carefully examine the under side of roof board for possible leaks.

On September 24, 1929, Mortimer reported, "The clearing of the attic has been completed, but the cleaning thereof is to be done by the use of a vacuum cleaner. This work is to be undertaken and completed during the next ten days. The roof work has been completed."

In the Washington Evening Star, on July 5, 1931, it was reported, "While making the restoration of the roof, sheathing and gutters were torn off and close up under the eaves was found a very old globe of the world, on which were outlined the voyages of discovery up to 1796. . ."

The following measured drawings were produced to facilitate the interior work:

1. Drawing No. 6608 - 167 (or NCP 2.3-7), October 8, 1929 - east and west elevations of the Lee Mansion.

2. Drawing No. 6608 - 197 - sheets 1 to 3, August 23, 1929 (NCP 2.3 - 24, 25 and 26) - details of doors, Lee Mansion.

3. Drawings No. 6608 - 198, sheets 1 and 2, August 23, 1929 (NCP 2.3 - 27 and 28) details of doors and stairs, Lee Mansion.

4. Drawings Nos. 6608 - 201, and 202, February 2, 1930 (NCP 2.3- 31, 32, and 33). Floor plans of basement, first and second floors, Lee Mansion.

h. Policy for Interior Restoration

In the meeting held on April 17, 1929, the quartermaster general's special committee on the restoration of Arlington House recommended "that the interior be restored and repaired generally; that only temporary [post 1864] partitions be removed; that the arrangement of the rooms in the north wing [rooms 104, 105, 106, 107] be allowed to remain, as well as the arches in the double parlors [rooms 108 and 109] north of the main hall...." The quartermaster general approved this recommendation on May 3, 1929 and the physical evidence indicates that he adopted the accompanying suggestions. This was fortunate because the floor plan of the north wing dated from the 1818 completion of the mansion. The north wing had never had the original [1804] floor plan suggested by Gilbert Rodier in 1924, which was supposed to resemble that found in the south wing. The arches between Rooms Nos. 108 and 109 also dated from the original (1817-18) construction of the main house. Immense damage to the historic fabric of the interior of the mansion was thus avoided.

i. Floors

The December 11, 1928, estimate indicated that $4,600.00 would be required to "renew deteriorated floor joists and rafters, repair old flooring and lay new flooring." At its April 17, 1929 meeting, the quartermaster general's advisory committee on restoration recommended that "all the modern flooring be removed and the original old floors [be] restored." The suggestion was approved by the quartermaster general on May 3, 1929.

In his May 29, 1929, orders, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to remove all "modern flooring and replace all original flooring that has rotted or been injured with new mill pieces worked to match original floor boards. Scrape all floors and refinish with oil and wax to a flat dull lustre." In further orders issued on July 29, the quartermaster general ordered that:

wherever top flooring has been placed over old flooring or wherever old flooring has been entirely removed and top flooring applied over a new sub-floor, this top flooring should be allowed to remain until the work is nearly finished, when the old original floor will be repaired or replaced with new boards milled to exactly reproduce the original floor boards.

In his September 24, 1929 progress report, Charles Mortimer reported, "All modern flooring now taken up except in hall [room 111] which left for convenience of public pending receipt and laying of new flooring. Difficulty being experienced in obtaining satisfactory wide flooring of proper quality." In the progress report dated November 21, 1929, it was recorded that this work was approximately 30% completed.

On December 8, 1929, the quartermaster general's office informed the depot supply officer, "It has been decided to put no finish on the old floors at the present time and to treat the new flooring with Johnson No. 120 stain as per sample submitted to match as closely as possible the old floor boards." [123]

In his 1931 report summing up the restoration work, Architect Leisenring remarked:

The floors consisted originally of tongued and grooved pine boards, random width and thickness, hewn out on the underside to fit over joists and provide even exposed surface. This old flooring in the second story was carefully cleaned, repaired in spots where necessary with old flooring taken from the first story, so that in truth the second floor of this building is now original.

The flooring of the first story, over which the hardwood had been laid was in such poor condition that its repair was impossible. Thus, a new pine floor, duplicating the original as closely as possible, was laid over the entire first story. Rubber matting was then laid on the restored floors and rubber treads placed on the stairs to protect them from visitors' feet. [124]

j. Stairs

The December 1, 1928, estimate indicates that the sum of $600.00 was available to repair the stairways in Arlington House. In his May 29, 1929, orders, the quartermaster general instructed the depot supply officer to "remove gate from main stairs [room 113]. Open up service stairs [room 110] to second floor and to cellar. Repair wherever injured and make all perfect." The gate had been placed on the main stairway in 1885. In his progress report dated September 24, 1929, Mortimer noted that this work was "partially completed. Those parts not completed dependent on other work except in the case of the gate to stairway leading to second floor which has purposely been left on for the present to prevent visitors interfering with working force." This project was completed by March 1930.

On December 23, 1930, Mortimer informed one of his carpenters:

Complaint still reaches me about the step down in the doorway between the hall of the north wing [room 105] of the Mansion and the door leading to the Lee family's parlor [room 108], and it has been decided to fill this with a step level with the hallway floor. The edge of this step is going to show from the doorways of the main hallway [room 111] so that the wood must be treated to look like the floors of that room and of the hallway. . . . [125]

k. Repair of Interior Mill Work

On May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot supply officer to "repair all evidence of injury to interior mill work, carefully conforming to the contours of all original moldings, etc. Take down temporary [post 1864] partitions marked on plans by The Quartermaster General to be removed."

On September 24, 1928, Mortimer reported that the mill repairs had been "Completed as far as economically practicable. Some work on this to be completed as other work progresses."

l. Interior Doors

The December 11, 1928, estimate provided $500.00 for the repair and renewal of interior doors. In his orders, dated September 30, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot supply officer, "The east door leading from the main hall [room 111] into Room No. 4 [room 112 - the Lee 1855 parlor] will be repaired to make it correspond with the adjoining door into the same room." In the April 9, 1930, report of work yet to be completed in the mansion, it was reported, "Flat grating in one door each, Rooms 4 [1121 and 8 [109]" was yet to be inserted at an estimated cost of $150.00. The grating was apparently for heat circulation purposes.

In the article on the restoration of Arlington House that appeared in the Washington Evening Star on July 5, 1931, Mortimer told the reporter:

In the basement store room we found a very beautiful door and tried vainly for a long time to find the place where it formerly hung. There seemed to be no frame where it would fit. But when we tore out the modern plumbing [room 114 — the 1910 ladies toilet room] it was disclosed that this old door belonged to a hall closet [room 114] that had been turned into a bath room. It faces the conservatory [room 116] on the south side of the main building and is now back in its original place.

m. Replicas of "Colonial" (Federal) Hardware

In 1874, as has been mentioned, the quartermaster corps replaced most of the missing original locks in the mansion with modern locks. The December 11, 1928, estimate thus contained an item of $1,600.00 to "renew hardware throughout." In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot quartermaster supply officer to "replace all missing or modern hardware in all three of the buildings with hardware of the Colonial period, approved by the quartermaster general."

In his progress report, dated September 24, 1929, Mortimer commented, "Estimate being secured. Type will be submitted to Quartermaster General's Office." In the November 21 progress report it was noted that the "new hardware has been ordered." The Federal replica hardware was installed in the mansion prior to March 1930.

On December 8, 1929, Brigadier General Bash was presented with one of the original door locks to Arlington House that had been removed during the Civil War. The Washington Evening Star reported this incident:

Incidental to the proposed restoration of Arlington House, Charles Lee Frank, landscape painter and antique collector of Washington, has presented the War Department with a large lock once attached to an original door of the old mansion.

Following the partial demolishment of the home during the post-Civil War period, a Virginia family living in the vicinity of Arlington came into possession of the discarded lock. From this family the late P. R. Pullman, contractor and art collector of Washington, purchased the lock placing it in the armory collection of his son, former District Police Maj. Raymond Fullman. On the death of his son Mr. Pullman sold the collection, including the Arlington lock, to the C. G. Sloan Co. of Washington.

When offered for sale at a recent auction of the Sloan company, Mr. Frank, aware of its historical value, purchased the lock and presented it to Gen. L. H. Bash of the War Department, director of the Arlington restoration committee. [126]

On December 9 Bash sent the lock to Mortimer with instructions to have a key made for it and to put it back in its proper place at "such time as the house is ready to receive it." [127]

In an interview published in the Washington Evening Star on July 5, Mortimer described the search for the original location of the returned lock:

While the mansion was being restored many of the old locks were found to be missing. Some had been replaced by modern locks. When an old lock, said to have come originally from Arlington Mansion, was auctioned off, it was bought as a present for the restoration effort and presented to us. Where did it belong. We tried it on a number of doors, but the key hole or the screw holes or the paint marks along the edges showed it did not fit. We were about ready to pronounce it a "fake" when we finally found the place where it fitted exactly - Keyhole, screwholes, paint marks. It is now back where it was originally placed more than a century and a quarter ago on the north door of the main hall [at the west end on the north side of room 111]. . . .

For photograph of the old lock restored in its original location, see U.S. Signal Corps Photograph 95036—A, taken October 1931. Photo 7. (It should be noted that the locks on the east and west doors are original.)

In his final report on the restoration of Arlington House, written about May 1931, Architect Leisenring wrote:

The hardware was another item requiring considerable study. With the exception of the two large entrance doors [east and west doors of main hall, Room 111] where the original massive locks remained intact, all other locks, knobs, escutcheons and key plates had been replaced by modern hardware or the few which remained were long past usefulness. Such old locks as still remained in part were removed, and from the collection thus obtained it was possible to reproduce by hand, locks very closely resembling those originally on all doors.

n. Truss for Partition and Floor Construction over the White Parlor (Room 112)

The December 11, 1928, estimate contained an item of $850.00 for "New steel beam supports for ceiling of Main Drawing Room [room 112] and rebuilding partition over same. [Partition between rooms 206 and 207]." In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to "set a steel I-Beam of suitable size to carry all possible loads in the partition and floor construction over Room No. 4 [112]. This beam must be set so that the lines of the present ceiling in Room No. 4 [112] shall not be affected nor the present lines in baseboards and partitions in Rooms 19 [207] and 20 [206]." In his progress report of September 24, 1930, Mortimer wrote, "All work completed." Someone added in pencil, "Truss substituted for steel beam." In the progress report dated November 24, 1929, it was stated, "Steel beam supports for ceiling of main drawing room [room 112] and rebuilding partition over same has been completed."

The change in plan from Steel—I beam to a truss system was approved by the quartermaster general on July 29, 1929. He wrote, "The proposed method of trussing partitions between rooms 19 [207] and 20 [206] in order to stiffen the ceiling over room no. 4 [112] is approved. The same method of trussing partitions between rooms 22 [204] and 23 [203] is also approved, subject to your further investigation as to the necessity for trussing this second partition." The absence of any mention in the completion reports of further work on the partitions between rooms 22 [204] and 23 [203] suggests that it was found that truss work on this wall was not required.

In his 1931 report summarizing the restoration of Arlington House, Architect Lesienring wrote:

On the second floor over the large reception room [Room No. 4 or 112] the weight of a partition had caused settlement of nearly five inches, with the resulting crack in walls above and ceilings below. To add support to this floor without visible alterations, a truss was constructed within the partition, the sag in the floor was corrected and the walls were replastered in their original positions.

o. Partitions Between Rooms 108 and 109

On November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general informed the depot supply officer, "Partitions between Rooms No. 7 [108] and 8 [109], no change will be made in the present [three-arch] design of the partition. However such repair work that is necessary to put it in good condition will be made."

p. Rebuilding and Replastering of Brick Walls, Second Floor Main Hall (Room 201)

The December 11, 1928, estimate contained an item in the amount of $850.00 to "rebuild and replaster brick walls, Main Hall [room 201 or 17], 2nd Floor." The quartermaster general directed the depot supply officer to carefully inspect "Brick wall in main hall, second floor [room 201 or 17]." "If found necessary," it was to "be rebuilt before being replastered." In his progress report on September 24, 1929, Mortimer commented, "Completed except around door to Room 19 [207]. This is matter for final completion in connection with Item 17, repairing all evidence of injury to interior mill work." In the progress report, dated November 21, 1929, it was reported, "Rebuilding and replastering brick walls, main hall [room 201 or 17], 2nd floor, has been completed."

q. Repairs to Plaster Walls, Ceilings, and Cornices

The December 11, 1928, estimates contained $1,600.00 for "repairs to plaster walls, ceilings and cornices" inside the mansion. In his orders, dated May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster general, "When all work likely to disturb interior plaster has been completed, repair all original interior plaster work, carefully matching original moldings, cornices, panels, etc." In his progress report, dated September 24, 1929, Mortimer reported, "Some plaster work done. Some underway. In accordance with directions of Quartermaster General's Office letter [of May 29] some of this work must wait until toward end of restoration." In the progress report of November 21, 1929, it was recorded, "Repairs to plaster, walls, ceiling, and trim, approximately 75% completed." The replastering work was finished by March 1930.

r. Work on the Conservatory (Room 116), South Wing

In orders issued on November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general informed the depot quartermaster, "The original roofing material was apparently removed and a glass roof installed at some unknown date [by the Quartermaster Corps in 1874]. No change will be made in this construction." In the April 9, 1930, report on work yet to be completed in the mansion, an item of $100.00 was included for "Completion and refurnishing of conservatory [Room No. 116]." The report of November 10, 1930, indicated that the "Conservatory has been completed and one bench and two shelves are in place, but nothing further has been done in the way of furnishing. Lack of heat precludes keeping plants here in winter."

On November 24, 1930, Brigadier General Bash wrote to Mortimer regarding completion and furnishing of the conservatory:

This room looks very bare and unfinished at present. It would be difficult to make a hot house of it, even if it were heated, on account of the constant opening and closing of doors [by visitors]. There is, however, a great deal of natural heating during the day time, and considerable heat escapes from the open doors from the house proper. Therefore, there is no reason why the conservatory should not be furnished with semi-hardy plants and shrubs. Investigation should be made to determine the proper variety. It is thought that possibly roses, geraniums, camellias and begonias and many others would do well. . . .

On December 23, 1930, Mortimer, in a letter to William Gutshall, gave the final orders, including a "scheme and drawings for the shelving and rack for the conservatory of the Mansion." The carpenters were to construct these pieces.

s. Painting the Interior of Mansion

The estimate of December 11, 1928, included $4,100.00 for "Repainting interior walls, ceilings, & trim." In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to "paint the interior of all [three] buildings, as per schedule of where and what colors to paint approved by the Quartermaster General." In his progress report dated September 24, 1929, Mortimer reported, "Painting on north side in progress. Other paint work dependent on samples or scheme to be furnished by the Quartermaster General's Office." On November 21, 1929, it was reported that "Repainting interior walls, ceilings and trim, [was] approximately 50% completed." This interior painting was completed by March 1930.

t. Searching for Rumored Mural in White Parlor (Room 112)

The quartermaster general's advisory committee, at its April 17, 1929, meeting, recommended "that an effort be made to discover reported mural decorations under the present paint in main drawing room [room No. 4 or 112]." In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed the depot quartermaster supply officer to "investigate the supposed existence of mural painting in Room No. 4, using the services of an expert approved by the Quartermaster General." Mortimer reported, on September 24, 1929, that this investigation had been "completed but nothing so far discovered."

As the documentary evidence has indicated, the brick walls of room 112 [or 4] were not even plastered until 1855, so that there were no Custis mural paintings to be found on those walls.

u. Restoration of Murals on Walls of Main Hall (Room 111)

The estimate of December 11, 1928, included $1,000.00 to "restore historic mural decorations." In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot supply officer to restore the mural painting on the frieze "over the stairs [at the west end] in the hall [room 111], and also the painted panels on the exterior of the slaves' quarters, using the services of an artist approved by the Quartermaster General. Examine for evidence of mural decorations on south side of hall frieze." In his September 24, 1929 progress report, Mortimer noted that the work was "partially completed. Restoration of painting cannot be properly done until all other work completed."

On November 15, 1929, Brigadier General Bash wrote to Charles Moore, Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts, seeking advice on restoring the murals in the mansion and on the exterior of the Slaves' Quarters. With regard to the mansion, Bash wrote:

At the rear [west] end of the main hall [room 6 or 111] of the Mansion proper, there is a frieze, consisting of hunting scenes. . . painted by Mr. Custis. This has faded considerably and is rather dirty, although the design is still fairly clear. Your advice is desired as to how this wall painting should be treated. Should it be left as is, should it be cleaned, or should an attempt be made to restore it to its original color and freshness? [128]

Moore, responding on November 19, wrote:

The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting yesterday, were pleased to consider the recommendations made in your letter of November 15th, with reference to the restoration of the Arlington Mansion. . . .

The question of preserving the panels painted by Mr. Custis, over the doors of the 'slaves quarters', and the hunting scenes at the rear end of the main hall of the mansion, was brought to the particular attention of the painter member of the Commission, Mr. Ezra Winter. The Commission concur in his recommendation that the panels be re-painted but that the hunting scenes be cleaned only, by a careful process. [129]

No further work was done on the murals for some time. In the April 9, 1930, report of restoration work yet to be accomplished were two items: 1. $100.00 for "Restoration of mural paintings on slave quarters", and 2. $500.00 for "Restoration of mural painting in main hall over west door." No further work, however, was done on these two projects during 1930. On November 10 it was reported, "As yet, no artist has been secured for this work and restoration."

By March 1931, the projects appear to have gotten out of hand. In a newspaper article dated March 23, 1931, it was announced:

Under a contract let last week, Albert Nelson Davis, young portrait painter of this city, will undertake the work of restoration [of murals in the Lee Mansion].

New cracks and partly defaced, the friezes will be retouched to approximate the original work of the colorful dabbler in literature, music and the arts, who built and occupied the Arlington Mansion for more than half a century.

Davis, who is only 23 years old, is an instructor in art at George Washington University. He won first prize in the portrait group at the Corcoran Art School about two years ago and since has done a number of canvases of Washington's young set.

Retouching of the murals is only a phase of the restoration work in progress at Arlington. . . . Already $110,000 has been spent to return the Mansion to its former condition.

The wall paintings that alone survive of Custis' manifold artistic creations cover three sides of the rear entrance [west] vestibule of the Mansion. They include hunting scenes, hounds, hot in pursuit, and a painting of lions fighting.

Three additional panels over the door of the South outbuilding, one of which is believed to be the original of Washington's famous war horse, also will be restored by Davis. These are badly defaced, making it necessary for the artist to draw for the most part on his imagination. [130]

Brigadier General Bash apparently first learned of the letting of this contract when he read it in the newspaper. On the same day, March 23, he dashed off the following instructions to Mortimer, the depot quartermaster supply officer:

1. It is understood that you having commissioned Mr. Albert Nelson Davis, 1529 Otis Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. to restore certain paintings at Arlington Mansion, this matter must be handled very carefully to be sure of obtaining proper artistic effects. Restoration can only be entrusted to an extremely competent artist. The Commission of Fine Arts has expressed itself as not being in favor of any attempt to restore these paintings and the artist mentioned Mr. Winter, after making a careful inspection, told me that he considered it practically impossible.

2. In as much as we would seem to be committed to it, I wish you would carry out the following policy.

(1) Try out artist on two faded panels at ends of Slave Quarters. These are practically invisible and can't be hurt.

(2) Try him on White Horse Panel, Slaves Quarters.

(3) Don't let him start on murals in mansion till we see results of above. If we decide to let him go ahead, give him instructions in writing just what he is to do - only clean them. Work to be confined to painting cracks and restoring background.

(4) Let me see the artist and his work. Let me see the instructions you give him.

3. The fact that we have already issued a purchase order is not the controlling factor. I would rather sacrifice the money if it seemed advisable than let the artist take the chance of doing something that would be unsatisfactory and that could never be corrected in the future. [131]

The murals at the west end of the main hall in Arlington House were apparently never subjected to artist Albert Nelson Davis's cleaning techniques. In an article published in the Washington Evening Star, on July 5, 1931, it was stated:

Some of the murals painted in the mansion have survived the years and the wear and tear during the use of the old house as a Superintendent's office in surprising good shape. These over the west door in the main hallway [room 111] of the mansion are well preserved today. Cracks have occurred in places, but the paintings are intact and may be seen. . .

v. Conversion of Morning Room (Room 115) to "State Dining Room"

Without any documentary evidence to support its suggestion, the quartermaster general's advisory committee on the restoration of Arlington recommended at its April 17, 1929, meeting "that the large room [room 2 or 115] be furnished as the state dining room." This idea was accepted and approved by the quartermaster general.

Documentary evidence presented in this study suggests that room 115 was probably the Custis family parlor from 1804 to 1818 when the main house was built. By 1845 the room had not been redecorated for many years and was described as "once used as a parlor; now empty" except for a few of Custis' painting articles. The documentary evidence further indicates that Robert E. Lee redecorated room 115 in 1855, and it was henceforth used by Mrs. Lee as her "morning room." The furnishing of Room No. 115 as a "state dining room" created a room that never existed and elevated George Washington Parke Custis to an importance that he never obtained since he never gave "state dinners" during his lifetime.

w. Removal of Original Mantels

The December 11, 1928, estimates included $2,200.00 to "Rebuild fireplaces & hearth, and restore marble mantels."

The quartermaster general's advisory committee, at its April 17, 1929 meeting, accepted architectural historian Charles Moore's plan and recommended "that this room [the large room in the South Wing - room 2 or 115] and the main drawing room [room 4 or 112] south of the central hall [room 6 or 111] have new marble mantels [that is, reconstructed mantels] installed similar to those in the double parlors [room 7 or 108 and 8 or 109]." Under Moore's plan the three Victorian mantels that adorned the fireplaces and which had been installed by Robert E. Lee and his wife in 1855 would be removed from rooms 112 and 115 and be replaced by reconstructed mantels.

The mantels on the second floor were also apparently not up to Moore's standards, because the advisory board further recommended on April 17 "that the mantels on the second floor be replaced with mantels of the Colonial period."

On May 3, 1929, the quartermaster general approved the removal of the three marble mantels from Rooms Nos. 112 and 115 "if funds permit," and he approved outright the plan to replace the mantels in the second floor bedrooms with "mantels of the Colonial period."

In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general instructed the depot quartermaster supply officer:

The present marble mantels in Rooms 2 [115], 4 [112], 19 [207], 20 [206], 22 [204] and 23 [203] are eventually to be removed and replaced. Those in Rooms 2 [115] and 4 [112] will be replaced with marble mantels similar to those now in Rooms 7 [108] and 8 [109]. Those in the second floor bedrooms no. 19 [207], 20 [206], 22 [204] and 23 [203] will be removed and replaced with wooden mantels similar to that now in Room No. 14 [106]. When this is done, new hearths will be laid in connection with all of these mantels. In the meantime, all loose brickwork in the fireplaces and in the fireplace throats should be made secure. The Office of the Quartermaster General will furnish plans and specifications for both the new marble and new wooden mantels desired and the new hearths. When this has been done information will be furnished to the Depot Quartermaster who will then secure quotations of cost for approval by this office.

In his May 29, 1929, orders, the quartermaster general also directed the depot supply officer to "repair the marble mantels now in Rooms 7 [108] and 8 [109], also the wooden mantel in Room 14 [106]." He warned, however, that these repairs should not be commenced until the work was "practically completed."

Mortimer, in his report of September 24, 1929, revealed that no progress had been made on replacing the mantels. He noted:

Verbal instructions and written conflict. Final decision of the Quartermaster General's Office necessary in order that work may go ahead. No plans and specifications furnished by Quartermaster General's Office as indicated will be done in this item. No further action can be had by Depot until conflict is decided and plans and specifications furnished.

x. Work on First Floor Mantels

On July 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed that the 1855 Victorian "Marble mantels in rooms 2 [115] and 4 [112] are to remain at the present subject to future study." On September 30, 1929, the quartermaster general ordered that:

The three mantels in Rooms 2 [115] and 4 [112] will be carefully taken down and held safe from damage pending the installation of the heating system. Instructions are now being prepared and will be issued as soon as decision is made covering the point whether these identical mantels will be repaired and replaced or whether new mantels will be designed and substituted.

On September 30, 1929, the quartermaster general further directed that "Mantels in Rooms 13 [104] and 14 [106] and the one in the basement directly under Room 13 [104], all of which are of wood, are to be repaired and placed in good condition." He further instructed the depot quartermaster supply officer that the "Marble mantels in Rooms 7 [108] and 8 [109] are to be carefully taken down, repaired carefully, stored and after heating equipment has been installed in the hearth of the fireplaces, these mantels will be re-set in their original positions."

In October 1929 the quartermaster general's office developed four drawings for producing "Colonial period" mantels on the first floor:

1. Drawing No. 6608-169 (or NCP 2.3-9), dated October 8, 1929 - Full Scale Detail of Marble Mantel in Room No. 4 (room 112).

2. Drawing No. 6608-170 (or NCP 2.3-10), dated October 10, 1929 - Details of wood mantel for Room #2 (room 115).

3. Drawing No. 6608-172 (NCP 2.3-12), dated October 8, 1929, Full Size Detail of Marble Mantel in Room #4 (room 112).

4. Drawing No. 6608- 175 (NCP-2.3-14), dated October 8, 1929, 3/4" Scale Evaluation West Side of Room #2 (room 115), with Mantel.

On October 7, 1929, Brigadier General Bash wrote to the William H. Jackson Company of New York City and John Evans and Company of Boston, requesting estimates for the cost of securing two marble mantels "to be of white Italian marble with arabesques, panels with mythological subjects, etc., all of the period 1790 to 1810, preferably by Italian workmanship." A blue print and a photograph of the top of the desired mantels were also included. [132] Evans estimated the cost at $2,118.00. Jackson Company reported the two mantels would cost $800.00 and could be delivered in four months. [133]

On October 12, 1929, the quartermaster general's office sent copies of Drawing No. 6608-170—Details of Wood Mantel for Room No. 2 [115] to the quartermaster supply officer and directed that the mantels "should be constructed of the best grade of white pine with mouldings sharply cut and absolutely true with full size details. The ornament should be of composition from models approved by this office."

It was suggested that estimates for making the wood mantel (and also the wood mantel for Room 19 [207] on the second floor) be secured from Donnelly and Brother of Washington, D.C.; Todhunter, Inc., of New York City; and C. F. Meislaham of Baltimore. [134]

On November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general sent Mortimer copies of Drawings Nos. 6608 - 169 and 174, showing 3/4" and 1-1/2" scale and full size details for the two marble mantels to be constructed and placed in room 4 (112), together with a photograph of "an existing mantel" which "shows the character of the carved decoration which will be used." The quartermaster supply officer was also supplied with the estimates of cost received from Boston and New York City and instructed to advertise for bids to make the mantels. He was informed that bids were not to include the marble hearths. The present hearths are to be cut down to proper size and reset as shown on drawings. The materials for the mantels were to "be best grade carrara marble." [135]

In special orders issued on November 13, 1929, the quartermaster general directed Mortimer:

Bids will be called for on two marble mantels for this room [No. 4 or 112]. These mantels will be duplicates insofar as dimension and moulding are concerned. However, motif in carved panes may be slightly varied. Plans and details for these mantels will be furnished by this office.

Mantels in Room No. 2 [115]: Bids will be called for a new wood mantel as detailed by this office.

In the November 21, 1929 progress report it was reported that "Fireplaces, hearths, rebuilt and restored marble mantels" were "approximately 25% completed."

On December 20, 1929, Drawing No. 6608 - 194 (or NCP 2.3-23) was produced, entitled "Details for replacing Marble Mantels in Room No. 4 [112]." The quartermaster general sent this and the following instructions to the depot supply officer on the same day:

1. Instead of installing marble mantels in Room No. 4 [112] as shown on Drawing No. 6608 - 169 and 174, you will reject all bids submitted for these mantels and carefully re-set the [1855 Victorian] marble mantels which have been in this room.

2. These mantels will be re-set as shown on Drawing No. 6608 - 194. You will note that the width of these fireplaces has been increased and the depth should also be increased to these original fireplace dimensions.

3. It will be necessary to secure new ornamental keystones to take the place of those which are missing. These keystones must be remodelled and carved by skilled workers. . . as shown on Drawing No. 6608 - 194. [136]

The work on the first floor mantels and fireplaces was completed by March 1930. By this date all of the original mantels had been repaired and put back in place, except in room 115 [or 2], the new "State Dining Room", where the 1855 Victorian marble mantel that had been installed by Robert E. Lee had been removed and replaced by a "reconstruction" of a typical "Colonial period" wooden (pine) mantel.

But the fate of the two 1855 Lee marble mantels in room 112 [or 4] had still not been finally decided. After the Commission on Fine Arts inspected Arlington House on March 20, 1930, Chairman Moore wrote to Brigadier General Bash:

The Commission were satisfied with all of the work except the putting back of the mantels in the east [south] room [room 4 or 112]. These mantels are bad in themselves, were not a part of the original house, and a conspicuous blot on the otherwise excellent work of restoration. The Commission advise an immediate change in the mantels, however simple, that will preserve the old lines of the fireplace. [137]

The lack of money had apparently saved the 1855 mantels in room 112 thus far. In a note attached to Brigadier General Bash's letter of April 9, 1930, to the depot quartermaster supply officer regarding work yet to be done on the mansion, he wrote, "The suggestion to provide two new mantels in room no. 4 [112] to be postponed for consideration when 1932 [fiscal year] funds become available." With regard to the "State Reception Room" (No. 4 or 112), he directed, "Complete furnishing of State Reception room, including draperies - All of the furniture of this room [112] must be of a delicate character and of the same general design characteristic of the 18th century."

No change in the mantels in room 112 had been made by July 1930, because Chairman Moore again wrote on July 17, "Every time the members of the Commission of Fine Arts go to the Arlington Mansion they ask when the mantels in the south room [No. 4 or 112] are to [be] changed to make them harmonious with the remainder of the house. Just at present they are rather a ghastly piece of Mid-Victorian."

Fourteen months passed and still the Quartermaster Corps had apparently made no "progress" in removing the 1855 mantels from rooms 4 or 112. On October 1, 1931 Chairman Charles Moore thus levelled another blast at Brigadier General Bash, writing:

Everytime the Committee of Fine Arts inspects the Arlington Mansion they have been disturbed by the retention of the mantels in the room to the southeast. I understood you to say you had taken up the question of having the old mantels in the western room [room 8 or 109] duplicated but that the expense was prohibitive. There are two mantels of the period in the Y.W.C.A. house on B Street. Will you not look at these mantels and see if they will answer.

Bash responded on October 2, 1931:

I appreciate the feelings of the Committee of Fine Arts very keenly, with regards to the mantelpieces in the large room on the south side of the main corridor [room 111].

Some time ago the Commanding Officer of the Quartermaster Depot readvertised for these mantel-pieces and has let a contract with an English firm for the manufacture of the mantels, in all respects similar to the mantels in the room on the north side of the main corridor [that is in rooms 108-109]. The medallions in the center of these new mantels are to be like the ones which were originally ordered for the house by G. W. Parke Custis, and which are now in Woodlawn. [A plantation house designed by Dr. William Thornton and erected for Eleanor Parke Custis in 1800-05, located in Fairfax County, Virginia.]

A sample of the medallion [sic] to show carving and miter has been sent over from England by the contractor, and with modification, has been accepted by the contracting officer.

It is expected that the new mantelpieces to replace the one in the south room [No. 4 or 112] will be installed in place some time within the next three months. [138]

In an interview given about this time, Mortimer remarked, "The large reception room [room No. 4 or 112] never received the mantelpieces intended for it, but years later two so-called 'up-to-date' Victorian mantles were installed. We hope to replace these with two of the design and material of those originally ordered for this room by Mr. Custis." [139] Under this theory the original mantels for Arlington House had been given as a gift to Eleanor Parke Custis and placed in Woodlawn. The fact that the two fireplaces in room 112 had no mantels placed on them from 1817 to 1855 may not have been known to the restorers. The traditional unsupported story attached to mantels in the family parlor and family dining room and similar mantels at Woodlawn is that they were gifts to G.W.P Custis and Nelly Custis Lewis from Lafayette after his visit in 1824. No documentary support for this story has yet been established at Arlington or at Woodlawn. The source of these mantels and date of installation at Arlington and Woodlawn is at present unknown.

The correspondence relating to the new marble mantels to be installed in room 4 or 112 in 1931 reveals that Mortimer had entered into a contract, No. W 950-QM-941 on July 10, 1931, with T. Crowther & Son, London, England. The contract provided "for two marble mantels for the Lee Mansion" at a cost of 100 pounds, or about $500 each. The lowest bid received from American manufacturers was $850.00 apiece.

The Act of February 21, 1931, however, limited purchases that could be made abroad and special exception had to be received before the contract would become legal. The assistant secretary of war granted this authority on August 21. In August 1931, "after careful reconsideration" by the commissioner of customs, it was decided that Arlington House as a historic area could be considered "educational" and therefore was exempt from customs duties on the imported mantels. On September 30, Mortimer was able to submit the contract with all supporting clearances, and on October 3, 1931, the quartermaster general formally accepted the contract. [140]

The two "reconstructed" mantels installed in early 1932 and the restoration of Arlington House was finally completed. The final damage had been inflicted on the architectural fabric of room no. 112.

In summary, with regard to the first floor mantels and fireplaces, all original marble and wooden mantels were removed from the fireplaces during the installation of the heating system in late 1929. Fireplaces were repaired and the two fireplaces in room 4 or 112 were increased in depth and width to what was believed to have been their "original dimensions." The wooden mantels on the fireplaces in rooms 104 and 106 and in the winter kitchen under room 104 were carefully repaired and then put back in their original positions. The marble mantels in rooms 108 and 109 were similarly repaired and replaced. In room 2 or 115, the 1855 Lee Victorian marble mantel was removed and lost; the room 115 fireplace was adorned by a "reconstructed colonial period" mantel of white pine. All of this work was completed by March 20, 1930. The two 1855 Lee Victorian marble mantels were repaired and replaced during this same period, because funds were not available to replace them with "Colonial Period" marble mantels, as had been recommended by architectural historian Moore in April 1929. This final "flaw" in the restoration plan, however, was "corrected" by March 24, 1932, when two marble "Colonial Period" mantels, carved in London at a cost of $1,000, were installed on the room 112 fireplaces. The two 1855 Victorian mantels from room 112 were taken out and put in storage in the basement of the mansion, where they were in 1952.

The evidence presented indicates that the principal destructive effects of the Moore plan of restoring Arlington House to the Custis period rather than the Lee era were almost entirely concentrated on the morning room in the south wing and room 112, the large white parlor on the south side of the center hall (room 111). Here the three 1855 Victorian marble mantels actually selected and installed by Robert E. Lee were removed and replaced by "Colonial period" mantels. The "Victorian" woodwork and door frames of room 112, however, were not removed during the 1929-30 restoration.

As a part of the 1929-30 plan two "mythical" rooms that never existed, the "State Dining Room" No. 115, and the "State Reception Room" - No. 112, were created. The two rooms erroneously suggested that George Washington Parke Custis was a far more important person than he was and that "state" functions of historical importance took place in these rooms.

Rooms 115 and 112 were also to be furnished in 1930-32 in a style that conveyed a false idea of the wealth and taste of George Washington Parke Custis, as well as of the type of furnishings actually in the mansion during his lifetime. The furnishings were not representative of the Custis or Lee era (1802-1854).

Finally, if room 112 - the White Parlor, had been properly restored to its condition during the Custis period, the Commission of Fine Arts would have been amazed and dismayed to discover that all of the plaster walls and ceiling, woodwork and fireplace mantels in the room had to be removed, leaving only brick and lath walls and unfinished fireplaces. The room was "furnished" only with dusty and decaying old furniture and the two windows were adorned by dark shades that were usually kept drawn.

y. Work on Second Floor Mantels and Fireplaces

In his orders of May 29, 1929, the quartermaster general informed the depot quartermaster supply officer that the mantels "in the second floor bedrooms No. 19 [202], 20 [206], 22 [204] and 23 [203] will be removed and replaced with wooden mantels similar to that now in room no. 14 [106]." This suggestion had been made by the quartermaster general's advisory committee on restoration at their April 17, 1929, meeting.

In further orders issued on July 29, 1929, the quartermaster general directed that the "marble mantles removed from rooms on second floor are to be carefully examined and where same are intact they are to be replaced in the exact location they were before, but the openings of fireplaces increased to their original dimensions." No work was done, however, on the second floor mantels and fireplaces prior to September 24, 1929.

On September 30, 1929 the quartermaster general issued the following revised orders relating to work on the second floor rooms:

"(d) The wood mantel in Room 19 [207] will be constructed in accordance with details now being prepared in the Office of the Quartermaster General. The original marble mantels in Rooms No. 20 [206], 22 [204] and 23 [Room 203] will be repaired and re-set in their original positions.

The quartermaster general's office then prepared two drawings for room 19 (207):

1. Drawing No. 6608-171 (or NCP-2.3 - 11), dated October 10, 1929 - Details of wood mantel for Room No. 19 [207], second floor bedroom.

2. Drawing No. 6608 - 177 (NCP-2.3 - 16), dated October 8, 1929 3/4" Scale Evaluation - South Side of Room #19 [207], with Mantel Second Floor Bedroom.

On October 12, 1929, the office of the quartermaster general sent copies of Drawing No. 6608-171 to the quartermaster supply officer and directed that the room 19 [207] mantel "should be constructed of the best grade of white pine with mouldings sharply cut and absolutely true with full size details. The ornament should be of composition moulding from models approved by this office." It was also suggested that bids for making this mantel should be secured from Donnelly and Brother of Washington, D.C.; Todhunter, Inc., of New York City; and C.F. Meislaham of Baltimore.

The mantel for room 19 [207] was made and installed and the marble mantels for the other three bedrooms were repaired and replaced prior to March 20, 1930, when the Commission of Fine Arts inspected Arlington House. The members registered no complaints against the second floor mantels. This and perhaps reluctance to remove physical fabric that might date to the historic period on the part of the restorers, apparently ended the original plan to remove all four second floor mantels and to replace them with reconstructed "Colonial Period" mantels. Preservation of the marble mantel in place on second floor was fortunate, because architects Rodier and Kundzin in their 1924 work producing measured drawings of Arlington did not draw any elevations of the second floor rooms and mantels. Thus, if the three marble original mantels had been removed in 1929 as planned, there would have been no record as to the nature of these mantels.

z. Basement (Room BO-3), Wine Cellar

On January 27, 1930 the quartermaster general sent drawings (Drawings Nos. 6608-204 and 205 (NCP - 2.3-35) dated January 25, 1930, "Racks, etc. in Store Room (BO-3) Main Building.") "showing racks and bottles and casks in storeroom of main building" to the quartermaster supply officer, issuing instructions on their construction from rough surfaced pine and oak. He further directed, "The brick platform of which there were traces in the present floor should be re-laid and the whole room gotten to have the appearance of an old storeroom." [141] The actual installation of the brick floor, however, was not to be carried out until 1934.

D. GENERAL SUMMARY, RESTORATION OF ARLINGTON HOUSE, 1928-31

Between August 1, 1928, and December 31, 1931, an approximate total of $110,000 was spent on the restoration and furnishing of Arlington House and its two outbuildings, the southern slaves' quarters and the northern winter kitchen. Of this sum, about $71,500 was spent on restoring and protecting the buildings and $38,500 for purchasing "colonial period" furniture for the three structures. Recognition of 1861 terminal date is reflected in selection of furnishings for purchase. About $55,000 of the restoration money went for work on the mansion and $6,500 for restoring the two outbuildings. Approximately $31,500 went for exterior work, and $40,000 for interior work on the three historic buildings. The following chart indicates the appropriations for this work in 1929-30:

Approximately $2,700 were spent on the slaves' quarters and $3,800 on the summer kitchen. New doors and door frames were provided for the three basement entrances. New casement sash, frames, and shutters were made for the eleven basement windows. Broken glass and sash were repaired. New copper gutters and downspouts were installed on the Custis-Lee mansion and 6 inch tile drains were laid to carry off the water from the downspouts. The hips and ridges of the roofs were flashed with copper, and flashing of the six chimneys was renewed. Broken slate on the roof was repaired. Exterior stucco was pointed and repaired and the exterior of the house was given two coats of oil and lead paint.

1. Exterior Work

The pavers of the floor of the east (front) portico were repaired and replaced. The cost of this work, completed in 1930, was $450.00. Proposed plans to replace the historically accurate wooden steps on the east portico with sandstone steps were not carried out. Existing wooden steps were repaired and painted. Eight columns on the east portico were scraped and painted.

Wooden balustrades, based on the parapets in Benson J. Lossing 's 1853 painting of Arlington House, were placed on the roofs of the north and south wings. New casement sash and wooden bars, replacing the old ones, were placed on all eleven basement windows in 1929. Exterior rotten and damaged window sash, doors, and frames were renewed, and chimneys were opened up down to their fireplaces and their tops closed by means of slate slabs to keep out birds and squirrels. The four large chimneys on the main house, because of badly deteriorated brick, were taken down to the level of the second story ceiling and rebuilt according to their original dimensions, reusing the old brick as far as possible. Portland cement was used to rebuild the chimneys. Investigation revealed that the east and west pediments of the main house were sheeted up with wood. This arrangement was not changed in 1929, but the two pediments were given two coats of oil and lead paint. The slate roofs of the main house and two wings were thoroughly repaired in 1929. Exterior shutters were repaired, and exterior walls and cornices of plaster and wood were painted two coats in 1929. Many of the original soft bricks in the basement walls, as well as the chimneys, had crumbled and required replacement in 1929. Old timbers in the cornices and rotten roof beams and joists were replaced. The glass roof of the conservatory (room 116) in the south wing was rebuilt in 1929. The exterior restoration work in 1928-30 apparently reproduced the existing features that had to be replaced.

The only new "historic features" introduced on the exterior in 1929 were the wooden roof balustrades on the north and south wings. No effort was made to restore the 1858 gravel roofs on these wings or to marbleize the eight great columns on the east (front) portico.

2. Interior Work

The sum of $1,000.00 was spent to remove the "Honor Roll of Soldiers who Served in the Spanish American War" with its marble pedestal from room 112, including the brick foundation at its footing, which was apparently located in basement room BO-8 under room 112 to help support the weight of the memorial. The cellar floor in room BO-8 was then levelled and repaired. The two bronze history plates in the main hall (room 111) were also removed to permit the brick wall underneath (in room BO-6) to be "refilled."

In 1929 the sum of $1,000 was spent to lay better electrical lines from Fort Myer to Arlington House. The 1914 electrical wiring of the mansion was removed and rewired with floor and base plug outlets. Electric kitchen ranges, hot water boilers, and kitchen sinks were removed from the old kitchens located in rooms 104 and 203. Bath tubs, water closets, and plumbing fixtures were also removed from rooms 102-103 and 202, as well as pipes from room BO-2—winter kitchen and the old laundry. Three water closets and a sink were removed from room 114, where a public toilet for ladies had been installed in 1910. In 1929 a new water closet and sink were installed in room 102 for use of the mansion guards and staff.

An automatic fire alarm system was installed in the basement, first and second, and attic floors of Arlington at a cost of $1,842.70. The system was also installed in the two old outbuildings and connected with the guards' room in the new outbuilding, and the fire station at Fort Myer, where an automatic gong rang in case of a fire. A direct telephone line was also installed from the guards' room to the Fort Myer fire station for the same purpose.

The 1906 heating system was removed from the mansion, including the radiators and the boiler located in room BO-5 in the basement. The sum of twelve thousand dollars was spent to erect an outside boiler house, guard room, and public comfort station. An additional sum of $4,500 was expended to install the new concealed heating system in the mansion. Grills and hidden radiators served the new hot water heating system.

On the first floor the grills for the new heating system were installed in the fireplaces, and in the large room [101] there were two radiators that were concealed in reconstructed "colonial period cupboards."

Metal guard rails and screens were installed on all doors of rooms open for viewing by visitors, modelled after the system then in use at Mount Vernon. Rubber matting was laid on the reconstructed and restored wooden floors and rubber treads placed on the stairs to protect them from the feet of visitors.

The attic, which was unfinished, was thoroughly cleaned out and all old dust removed from the top of the lath and plaster work. No painting was done in the attic and only essential changes were made to the old framework in the attic.

The original flooring was comprised of tongue and groove pine boards of random width and thickness. The original flooring on the second floor was cleaned, repaired with original flooring from the first floor, and thus generally preserved. The original flooring of the first floor was so badly worn that it had to be ripped out and replaced with a reconstructed pine floor that duplicated the original as closely as possible. The sum of $4,600.00 was spent to replace deteriorated floor joists, rafters, and flooring.

The stairs were repaired and the gate that had been placed to close off the main stairway in room 113 in 1885 was removed. The service stairs, located in room 113, were opened from the basement to the second floor.

Interior doors were repaired or renewed. The hall door on the east end and south side of the hall [room 111], leading into room 112, was repaired and altered to match the west hall door to room 112 from the main hall. Flat gates were installed in the west doors to the white parlor and family dining room.

The "Colonial period" hardware throughout the mansion was reconstructed at a cost of $1,000.00. These reconstructions were apparently modelled after old hardware that was still found in place. Only two of the original door locks were found to be still in place. These were located on the east and west entrance doors to the main hall [room 111]. One original door lock taken from the mansion was returned and installed in its original location on the hall door on the north side of room 111, opening into room 109.

All post-Civil War partitions were removed and interior mill work repaired or renewed by duplicating the mill work found in place. Partitions were thus removed from rooms 101 and 202, which dated from 1885 or later. The three arches between rooms 108 and 109 were not altered, but repaired.

A truss was introduced in the partition wall between second floor rooms 206 and 207, which was located over room 112. The weight of the partition had caused the ceiling of room 112 to sag nearly five inches. Cracks appeared in the ceiling of room 112 and on the partition wall of rooms 206-207.

The brick walls of the second floor hall [room 201] were rebuilt and replastered.

Plaster walls, ceilings, and cornices throughout the mansion were repaired in 1929.

The interior of the conservatory [room 116] was repaired and painted. The sum of $100 was spent to construct new benches and shelves for plants.

No restoration work or cleaning was apparently done to the murals at the west end of the main hall (room 111) in 1929-31.

All twelve mantels on the fireplaces in Arlington House in 1929 were "original", [i.e., pre-1861]. There were four wooden and eight marble mantels. All twelve mantels were removed from their fireplaces during the installation of the new heating system. Both fireplaces and mantels were repaired. Eight of the mantels were then returned to their original locations and the remaining four mantels were replaced by "Colonial period" mantels reconstructed for that purpose. Thus, the two Victorian marble mantels that Robert E. Lee had placed on the fireplaces in room 112 and the one in room 115 in 1855 were removed and put in storage. The mantel in room 115 was replaced by a reproduction wooden (white pine) colonial mantel, and the two mantels in room 112 were replaced by two reproduction "colonial" period marble mantels (actually reproduction of C-1920-25 mantels). The original marble mantel in room 207 was replaced by a white pine reproduction mantel of the "colonial" period. The two fireplaces in room 112 were increased to what was believed to be their "original" width and depth. The two Victorian mantels from room 112 were stored in the basement where Murray Nelligan found them in 1953 and moved for their restoration. The Victorian mantel from room 115, however, was not found and is presumed lost. The original design of the 1855 marble mantel in room 115, however, has been preserved based on the measured drawing of the mantel made by architects Rodier and Kundzin in March 1924 (See Drawing No. 12). No measured drawings, however, are known of the mantels on the second floor fireplaces; thus, the design and appearance of the original mantel in room 207 is not believed to be documented by drawings.

Finally, documentary evidence suggests that "traces of a brick platform" were found in the floor of basement room BO-3 in 1929. A brick floor was then laid in 1934 following these traces.

During the interior restoration work, July 29 to January 16, 1932, when the superintendent's new lodge and office were completed, the office of the superintendent was located in room 104 and the cemetery staff used room 101 as a work area.

Under architectural historian Charles Moore's plan of restoring Arlington House to the Custis period (ca. 1804), rather than the Lee period (ca. 1861), the greatest damage to the original historic fabric was concentrated in three rooms: room 112 - the large Lee parlor finished in 1855; room 115, an old parlor that was renovated into Mrs. Lee's morning room in 1855; and room 207, Lee's chamber. In these three rooms original mantels were removed and replaced by replicas of "colonial period" mantels.

The Moore furnishing plan also created two "historic" rooms that never existed: the "state dining room," room 115, and the "state reception room," room 112. These rooms indicated a pomp and ceremony never part of the warm informal hospitality that was typical of Arlington House in both the Custis and Lee days. Period furniture was not similar in many cases to the furnishings used at Arlington by the Custises and Lees. Even the 1861 use of the white parlor and the morning room was denied by some of the furnishings selected. But it must be remembered that family collections of letters which helped Murray Nelligan accurately describe Arlington House in his doctorial thesis "Old Arlington" were not available to the War Department restorers.