ARLINGTON HOUSE Historic Structures Report Voume 2

A. TRANSFER FROM WAR DEPARTMENT TO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AUGUST 10, 1933

Arlington House, then called the Lee Mansion, was one of the 48 historical areas transferred from the War Department to the Department of the Interior by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 6166. The order was dated June 10, 1933, and the detailed definition of transfer was accomplished on August 10 of the same year.

At that time, the National Park Service had few historians and no historical architects in its employment and its few landscape architects, naturalists, and archeologists had little training or interest in historical research or preservation. The National Park Service did not employ its first historians until 1931 and the first "chief historian" ran a one-man office until 1933. Thus, addition of 48 historical properties to the National Park System caused a crisis. National Park Service Chief Historian Verne E. Chatelain, and his hastily formed staff in particular, were confronted with the problem of quickly formulating and implementing policies for the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of a large number of historical properties. In this emergency the National Park Service turned for advice to Lt. Col. Charles G. Mortimer, the Depot Quartermaster Supply Officer, who had been in charge of the $110,000 program that had been carried out between 1928 and 1931 to restore and furnish the Lee Mansion.

B. AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND WAR DEPARTMENT REGARDING REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF ARLINGTON HOUSE, AUGUST 17, 1933

Thus on August 17, 1933, A.E. Demaray, Associate Director, Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations, wrote to Maj. Gen. J.L. DeWitt, Quartermaster General, U.S. Army, confirming and spelling out the terms of the agreement that had been reached with the War Department that provided for the advice of Colonel Mortimer. Demaray wrote:

In connection with a recent conference between yourself, Colonel Laubach and Mr. Chatelain in regard to the policy for the handling of Lee Mansion at Arlington, I am glad to indicate the compliance of the office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations in the details of the plan worked out. I assume that the War Department through Colonel Mortimer, the officer in charge of Arlington Cemetery, will cooperate in the maintenance of the Lee Mansion in the same way in which this problem has been handled heretofore until the Interior Department is able to set up estimates and get an adequate appropriation for this work from Congress.

You will be interested to know that the Lee Mansion has been assigned to Mr. J.T. Gill, Assistant Director, in charge of public buildings. In connection with his general supervision of public buildings in the Capital City, Mr. Gill may later want to talk with Colonel Laubach again with reference to details of administration.

However, as it was decided at the conference, our Accounting Division wishes to work with Colonel Mortimer in arriving at definite estimate figures which can be submitted to the Bureau of the Budget. We will expect to receive from the War Department such things as heat, light, water and comfort station accommodations in the same way as these matters have been handled in the past in order that there will be no necessity for creating new expenses on account of double operation. [1]

In an article that appeared in the Washington Post on August 8, 1933, the policies of the National Park Service in regard to the Lee Mansion were explained:

Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior, announced yesterday that little change will be made in the direction of Arlington House. The work of restoration and refurnishing, which has progressed under the War Department supervision, will be continued.

Additional furniture perhaps will be acquired, original pieces to make even more authentic the atmosphere of the house. Although the interior is charming and the mahogany and china and silver are exquisite examples of the taste of the period, very few pieces there now ever belonged to Arlington.

Secretary Ickes is enthusiastic about the historical value of his department's new acquisition. He hopes patriotic societies and individuals throughout the country will assist him in continuing work of restoration.

As far as possible . . . the mansion and garden will be returned to its old appearance.

One of the immediate improvements to be made at Arlington will be the introduction there of guides recruited from the National Park Service. The history of Arlington will be explained . . . Verne E. Chatelain, chief historian of the National Park Service, will undertake to compile its historic story. . . . [2]

C. ESTIMATES AND PLANS, SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1933

Estimates for maintaining and operating the Lee Mansion during the next fiscal year (1935) requested a total of $11,895.70. This included $10,499.20 for personnel—five guards and three laborers—and $1,396.50 for supplies, equipment, and utilities. [3]

On September 19, Colonel Mortimer provided H. R. Owens, Building Branch, Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations, with estimates totaling $6,300 for restoration of Arlington House. Mortimer explained:

Herewith I hand you two estimates of funds. The one is intended for use in preparing your annual estimate of funds for submission to Congress at its next session . . . to secure the necessary appropriations with which to operate the Lee Mansion for the fiscal year 1935.

The other is an estimate of funds required immediately from the Public Works Administration for the purpose of painting inside and outside the Mansion and the two buildings belonging thereto and for replacement with stone or bricks the now worn wooden steps on three sides of the portico. Funds for these items—particularly the painting—are required immediately for the proper preservation of the buildings. [4]

The enclosed estimate called for the following work:

1. Painting Arlington Mansion and Slave Quarters.
To applying two (2) coats of paint to the interior and exterior of Arlington Mansion, putty stopping exterior doors and windows, resetting glass in Conservatory roof, repairs to stucco, plastering, woodwork, down spouts and gutters, also painting and repairs to exterior walls of slave quarters.

Painting 7158 sq. yds. @ 55¢ per sq. yd	$3,936.90
Putty stopping windows and doors, 1000 lin. ft. @ 10¢ per ft	$100.00
Resetting glass in Conservatory roof	$50.00
Repairs to stucco, plastering, woodwork, down spouts and gutters	$188.10
	$4,275.00
Supervision and inspection	$225.00
Total cost	$4,500.00

2. Removing old wood steps on east, north, and south sides of portico of Arlington Mansion and replacing same with stone or brick steps (including repairs to driveway and walks resulting from this building operation)

Total cost	$1,800.00
	$6,300.00 [5]

J.N. Nagle, Acting Chief of the National Park Service Engineering Division, had one of his men visit the Lee Mansion and make a sketch plan of the house. "His quantities check Colonel Mortimer's [figures] very closely. However, I recommend that an estimate be submitted on the basis of painting costing $1.08 per square yard rather than 55¢. . ." [6]

The revised figures prepared by Nagle are listed on the following page.

PAINTING MANSION and SLAVE QUARTERS

1. Paint

2 Coats 7100 Sq. Yds. as follows:
Exterior 3000 @ $1.08	$3250.
Interior 4100 @ $1.08	4450.
		$7700.00
Putty stopping windows and doors		200.00
Reset glass roof conservatory (S.W. corner of Mansion)		200.00
Stucco Repairs (would equal 100 sq. yds. new work)		188.10
Supervision and inspection		225.00
		$8413.10

NEW STEPS AROUND EAST PORTICO

2. Limestone on Concrete foundation

Concrete	228
Limestone	1172
	$1400
Plus:
Removal old steps, contingencies, etc., say		$1800.00
TOTAL		$10,213.00 [7]

On September 29, 1933, Colonel Mortimer submitted an estimate totaling $12,209.40 "of funds required for immediate work on Arlington House and grounds . . for submission to the Interior Department to secure funds already made available to that Department by the Public Works Administration. . . The greater part of this work can be undertaken immediately and will furnish employment to a considerable number of men." [8]

This estimate included $4,500 for painting the Lee Mansion and the slave quarters, $1,800 for removing the old wooden steps on the portico, as given in the estimate of September 29, and the following additional items: $1,765 for restoration in part of the kitchen garden on the north side of the Mansion as contemplated in original study; $702 for improvements and maintenance to grounds; $2,870 for restoration work on the mansion; and finally $581.40 to pay for supervising this work.

The $2,870 requested for work on the mansion was to be spent:

Restoring brick floors in all basement rooms not now paved.
20 thousand old Colonial bricks @ $35.00	$ 700.00
Labor	$ 300.00
		$ 1,000.00
Minor repairs to walls, roof, etc.
Labor	$ 350.00
	$ 300.00
		$ 650.00
Rebuilding Conservatory roof
Labor	$ 600.00
Materials	$ 620.00
		$ 1,220.00
To supervision		$11,628.00
		581.409
		$12,209.40 [9]

The request and estimate for $12,209.40 was submitted by the Quartermaster General to the Public Works Administration on September 30 and on October 2, 1933, E.K. Burlew, Administrative Assistant and Budget Officer of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, informed NPS Director Arno B. Cammerer:

In accordance with the provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933, an allotment of $12,470 (F P No. 374) has been made to the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations, for the restoration of Lee Mansion at Arlington, Va.

A request is being forwarded to the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer $12,470 to your credit for the performance of these works. [10]

Quartermaster General DeWitt at once moved to take control of the $12,470 and to have Colonel Mortimer continue the restoration work on the Lee Mansion, which had been under his charge since 1928. General DeWitt thus informed Director Cammerer on October 2, 1933:

An item of $12,470 was included in the War Department Program for construction and reconditioning work from the funds provided for Public Works under the National Industrial Recovery Act, to cover the rehabilitation of the Lee Mansion at the Arlington National Cemetery. These funds were withdrawn from the War Department apportionment and allotted to the Department of the Interior.

This office has had under consideration for a long time the subject of rehabilitation of the Lee Mansion and the plans for the work have already been prepared and are on file in the Arlington National Cemetery. The work planned is essential and should be started at once. It is therefore requested that the sum of $12,209 of the Public Works funds apportioned to your office be transferred to this office, when immediate steps will be taken to begin the necessary reconditioning.

In general the proposed work consists of painting the interior and exterior of the Mansion, including repair of windows, conservatory roof, repairs to stucco, plastering, woodwork, down spouts, also painting and repairs to exterior walls of slave quarters. The plan also contemplates removing old wooden steps on east, north and south sides of portico of the Mansion and replacing same with stone or brick steps (including repairs to driveway and walks resulting from this building operation); restoration in part of kitchen garden on north side of the Mansion as contemplated in the original study; improvement of the trees, walks, planting and grass plots; also restoring brick floors in all basement rooms. [11]

Assistant Director James F. Gill agreed with the plan to use the services of Colonel Mortimer to direct this work, informing the Associate Director of the National Park Service on October 3:

After discussing the matter of the rehabilitation of the Lee Mansion with Colonel Mortimer, I am convinced that it would be advantageous to have his organization handle this work if the necessary financial arrangements can be made.

Colonel Mortimer explains that he is preparing to proceed with the work at once, that he has the necessary trucking facilities, the services of laborers, inspectors, and engineers available, and that he has the specifications prepared for the painting job. He seems to be very anxious to have charge of this work, and in view of the splendid cooperation which we have had so far from him and General DeWitt in the matter of the transfer of the Lee Mansion to this office, it is recommended that the work be done under the supervision of Colonel Mortimer. [12]

On October 6, 1933, Director Cammerer accepted the quartermaster general's proposals in regards to the Lee Mansion and notified General DeWitt:

I would prefer that all bills in connection with the work on the Mansion be presented to Assistant Director James F. Gill for payment rather than to transfer the funds back to the War Department. Such procedure is authorized under Section 601 of the Economy Act and would result in Mr. Gill being kept fully informed regarding the condition and work of the building under his supervision. [13]

General DeWitt responded on October 9, enclosing a copy of the detailed plans of the work to be accomplished at the Lee Mansion and commenting:

With reference to our telephone conversation this date, I had Colonel Mortimer of my office explain these detailed plans to your Assistant Director, Mr. James F. Gill, and they then had a conference with Mr. Demaray. The general agreement seems to be that the plans meet with Mr. Demaray's approval and the desire was expressed that the work be immediately commenced and the bills sent to the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations for payment.

If the above has your approval the work on the Lee Mansion will be started within 48 hours after you communicate such approval to this office. It is understood, of course, that the minor details that may arise from time to time will be taken up by the Officer in Charge at Arlington National Cemetery, Colonel Mortimer, with Mr. Gill. [14]

Director Cammerer gave his approval to the plan on October 17, 1933, writing to the quartermaster general on that date:

The plans appear satisfactory and I would be pleased for your office to proceed with the work as you have outlined and in accordance with the understandings had at the conference between Colonel Mortimer, Associate Director A.E. Demaray and Assistant Director James F. Gill. [15]

The Office of the Quartermaster General issued orders on October 19 to Colonel Mortimer "that this work be started immediately and the work be carried through to completion." [16]

On October 20 Colonel Mortimer provided H. R. Owen, Chief, Building Branch, with a memorandum elaborating on the work to be done to Arlington House in accordance with the estimates of September 29-30, 1933. This extension of remarks was prepared for the benefit of the National Park Service's "Historical Section." Mortimer continued:

Enlarging on what is stated in the estimate:

Item 1: Painting and repairing Mansion and Slave Quarters: inside and out. Since the restoration of the building was completed in March 1930, no painting has been undertaken, although it was contemplated to re-paint it in less than three years, due to the fact that a large amount of the paint was put on re-built walls and similar surfaces.

In the nearly four years which have elapsed since the painting was done, there has been certain deterioration in joints, woodwork, etc., which require new putty stoppings, and repairs to plastering and woodwork, also repairs to down spouts, gutters, etc. Other needed repairs will be done, including repairs to heating plant.

Due to the fact that the walls of some of the rooms were whitewashed in the past, it has developed that all of the lime was not entirely eradicated prior to the painting in 1929-30. The result has been that both ceilings and walls have partially peeled in places. These walls will have to be scraped and all of the present paint removed. It can be seen that the painting is a large job and that all furniture must be taken out of the rooms and stored elsewhere. It will be necessary to close parts, if not all of the building, during the progress of such work. It is going to be my effort to keep the building open, at least in part, if it be found practicable. Work to be done by contract. Specifications therefore and request for advertising have been submitted.

Item 2—Removing all wood steps on east, north and south sides of the portico of the Mansion and replacing same with stone steps, is a part of the restoration originally planned and which, due to shortage of funds, was never undertaken. The architect's study in preparation for the restoration, included this item. That architect is coming out shortly to go over the matter with me again to determine the type of steps to be used, as well as to refresh his mind in order that the necessary drawings and specifications may be brought up to date.

It is hoped that this work will start before long, provided the architect's estimate is not too much in excess of the one which I have made and which was based on a cheaper type of stone steps than the architect's study contemplated. Probably contract job.

Item 3—Restoration in part the kitchen garden. In the preliminary study for the restoration, it was found that on the south side of the Mansion there was a flower garden of quite considerable dimensions, enclosed by a picket fence. On the north side, there was likewise a picket fence, surrounding the kitchen garden. The latter was divided into various beds by the usual paths, borders of flowers and other appurtenances of the well-attended kitchen garden in the days of slavery.

It is proposed to start this work and to prepare and plant and maintain that part of the kitchen garden which it is now possible to undertake the restoration of. Conditions are such that it is not now possible to undertake the restoration of this entire garden. Under the supervision of regular cemetery personnel, all of this work will be done by the Purchase and Hire Method.

Item 4—Improvements and maintenance of grounds about the Mansion. This item includes the necessary maintenance work on trees, shrubbery, as well as a small amount of tree surgery at this point, also walks, gravel roadways and landscaping. It involves the necessary restoration of the slope in front of the Mansion at a point where a considerable slide occurred a few weeks ago. Purchase and Hire Method.

Item 5—Laying brick floors in Basement In the basement of the Mansion there are several rooms, some of which are not open to the public. This is necessarily so, as hallways leading to these rooms are so largely involved with ducts of the heating plant system that passage thereto can only be made with considerable difficulty. According to the study made in preparation for the restoration, these rooms were either completely or partly paved with bricks. It is now contemplated to lay old bricks on these floors not only as a part of the restoration but principally to stop the recurring dampness which comes up through some of them and to keep down the dust which arises throughout the house from the unpaved clay and dirt floors. Some repairs to basement walls will likewise be involved in this work. Purchase & Hire Method.

Item 6—Minor Repairs to walls and roof. Purchase & Hire Method.

Item 7—Rebuilding the Conservatory roof. The roof of the glass Conservatory is carried on wooden beams and strips. The latter are constantly rotting out or sagging, causing the roof to leak and the glass to break. It is contemplated to replace these, if not all, then part, with stronger wood frames or to replace the entire work with metal, so constructed and painted, that the fact of them being metal will not be noticeable. Maintenance on this work is a considerable item and my plan contemplates reduction of that maintenance. Purchase & Hire Method. [17]

In response to requests from the budding historical and architectural sections of the National Park Service, Colonel Mortimer provided Assistant Director Gill with the plans and specifications for the items under the Arlington Mansion allotment on October 28:

Item #1. Painting Mansion, Slave Quarters and Old Well House.
This item has had specifications prepared and sent to the Office of National Parks, Bldgs. and Reservations for advertising and it is presumed that the advertisements are out. No plan can be drawn for this.

Item #2. Removing old wood steps and replacing with stone.
Plans and specifications will be furnished in the future before work is undertaken. If it be decided to do the work by contract, plans and specifications will be submitted for advertising.

Item #3. Restoration in part of the kitchen garden.
Herewith is sketch of what is contemplated. Work has already been started. No specifications can be furnished and none are necessary. Plan is in accordance with original plan for complete restoration of kitchen and flower gardens.

Item #4. Improvements and maintenance to grounds.
This is an item for care, trimming and feeding of trees, the latter of which is now in process. Repairs to walks as needed. Maintenance and planting of grass plots and regrading, resoiling, draining and planting land slide in front of Mansion which recently occurred. This work is in process under Purchase and Hire Method and no specifications can be given, other than that conditions existing are met as they arise.

Item #5. Restoring brick floors in all basement rooms not now paved.
A sketch showing the rooms to be paved is enclosed. These bricks will be laid with dry joints as in a walk after regrading the floors to conform. Material required 20,000 bricks and 5 tons of sand.

Item #6. Minor repairs to walls, roof, etc.
Specifications for this item cannot now be furnished nor will the work be undertaken until the completion of the painting which is somewhat involved with this item.

Item #7. Rebuilding Conservatory Roof.
Drawing will be furnished before work is undertaken together with a short specification. [18]

These plans were reviewed by Chief Historian Chatelain and Landscape Architect Charles E. Peterson, the latter a noted historical architect destined to become the "father" of the Historic American Building Survey.

Meanwhile, Colonel Mortimer and the Building Branch of the National Park Service pushed ahead with plans for painting the inside and exterior of the mansion and old slave quarters. Specifications for "Painting the Arlington Mansion, Slave Quarters and Well House" were prepared by the National Park Service on October 27 and circulated for bids in early November 1933. With regards to the mansion, the contractor was to perform the following work:

Arlington Mansion interior, apply 2 coats of paint to all walls, ceilings, and woodwork of the first and second stories. (Including the rooms, corridors and stairs).

Apply two (2) coats of paint to all exterior walls, chimneys, columns, and wood work, all doors, windows and the conservatory glass roof to be putty stopped. [19]

On November 17, 1933, John L. Nagle, Assistant Chief, Branch of Engineering for the National Park Service, sent Colonel Mortimer an abstract of the bids for the contract to paint the Lee Mansion buildings, recommending that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, Gosnell, Inc., of Washington D.C., at $1,080 and requesting the colonel's approval. Mortimer approved the award to the lowest bidder on November 21 and remarked:

The interior of the Mansion painting can be started by giving us about two (2) days' notice in order that we may remove the furniture out of the second floor and have the contractor keep in touch with me as to when he will be ready for the first floor. The exterior painting should not be undertaken until after the period of freezing weather has passed. [20]

Colonel Mortimer was also engaged in a search for old brick to pave the basement floors in the Lee Mansion. On December 22, however, he was forced to request the help of Assistant Director Gill, writing:

I have been trying everywhere I know where to get some old, worn bricks that have been used in pavements—paving bricks. These are necessary for me to carry out one of the items of the restoration of the Mansion, and if you remember, are to be used in paving some of the basement rooms.

I am wondering if your office or any of its divisions have about 9,000 of such bricks on hand or any less quantity and failing this, whether your good offices might come into play to locate part or all which we need.

Funds are available with which to buy bricks, but new bricks will not do—they must be old. I have been up against the same problem in the past in connection with paving bricks to be used around the Mansion but heretofore I have been successful. I seem now to have exhausted my resources. I will appreciate anything you may do. [21]

In response to this request, S. J. Oliver informed Gill on January 2:

We have no old paving bricks on hand.

We do, however, have some old common building bricks at 15th and C Streets, S.W., and it is suggested that Col. Mortimer look at them if he has not already seen them. [22]

Meanwhile, on November 10, 1933, the Department of the Interior released a memorandum for the press on the work being done on the Lee Mansion. It read:

The Lee Mansion in Arlington National Cemetery is undergoing important repairs with funds made available from public works appropriations, according to a statement by Arno B. Cammerer, Director of the Office of National Parks, Buildings, and Reservations.

Although the Mansion was transferred to his bureau from the War Department by Executive Order on August 10 of this year, Mr. Cammerer said the work is being done at his request under the direct supervision of Colonel Charles G. Mortimer, in charge of Arlington National Cemetery. Colonel Mortimer has had charge of the building for some time past.

"The sum of $12,209.40 has been allotted for this work," Mr. Cammerer stated, "and practically one third of it will be used to paint both the interior and exterior of the Mansion and the old slave quarters. The Mansion has not been repainted since its restoration was completed in 1930, although, on account of the large amount of rebuilt walls and similar surfaces, it was planned at that time to repaint it within three years.

It will be necessary to remove and store the furniture now in the rooms where painting is in progress and it may be necessary to close parts of the building to the public, but the entire building will not be closed unless it becomes absolutely necessary as this would result in great disappointment to people from long distances who wish to visit the Mansion.

Wood steps on the east, north, and south sides of the portico will be replaced with stone steps, Mr. Cammerer said. This work was a part of the original restoration plan, but was prevented by a shortage of funds. The roof of the glass conservatory will probably be strengthened by replacing the present wood beams and strips that are constantly rotting or sagging with a metal framework. If the latter material is used, it will be so constructed and painted as to be unrecognizable as metal.

The floors of several rooms in the basement of the Mansion, according to studies made at the time of the restoration, were probably partly or completely paved with brick when General [Robert E.] Lee's family resided there. It is planned to repave these floors, Mr. Cammerer said, to prevent dust and dampness from damaging the upper rooms of the Mansion. About 20,000 colonial brick will be used in the work.

Restoration of part of a kitchen garden that once existed on the north side of the Mansion will also be undertaken with the public works allotment, but it is not possible to completely establish the garden at this time. The existence of this garden, which was enclosed by a picket fence, was discovered during the preliminary restoration studies which showed that it was divided into various beds by the usual paths with borders of flowers, after the plan of all well-kept kitchen plots of ante-bellum days.

Some minor improvements to walks, gravel roadways, and grass plots will be made on the Mansion grounds. A slope in front of the Mansion that was considerably damaged by a recent slide will be restored and properly landscaped. [23]

Various versions of this release appeared in Washington newspapers on November 10 and 16, 1933. [24]

On November 15, 1933, Assistant Historian Elbert Cox submitted a report to Chief Historian Chatelain of the preliminary investigations that he had made to check the various improvements that Colonel Mortimer had outlined in his letter of October 28 to Assistant Director Gill. Cox reported:

In an effort to find out what historical basis there might be for the items submitted by Colonel Mortimer, I called on him at his office at Arlington. He could tell me only generally the historical background or justification for the various improvements, but said that each item was a part of the general plan for the restoration of Arlington which Mr. L.M. Leisenring, architect in the Office of the Quartermaster General, had made, and which had been approved by the Fine Arts Commission and then by the Quartermaster General. He further stated that specifications for painting the mansion, slave quarters, and the old well house had already been turned over to the Engineering Division, and that work on restoring the old kitchen garden was practically ready to be started. For further information he referred me to Mr. Leisenring, in the Office of the Quartermaster General.

Accordingly next morning I called on Mr. Leisenring, who is chief of the architectural unit in the Quartermaster's Office. He very generously spent an hour or more telling me what he had done, and the basis for his plans for the restoration and improvements at Arlington. It seems that no thorough or complete study of or search for full historical data on Arlington has been made. Mr. Leisenring has studied the problem, has gathered what data he has been able to, and as a result of his studies and his thoughts on the problem has drawn up the plans. In my opinion before having had a chance to go into the matter with any degree of thoroughness, Mr. Leisenring has worked with considerable feeling toward a faithful and appropriate treatment of his problem. He very kindly gave me a copy of a study he made some time ago and which contains his ideas on the general treatment of grounds and buildings.

It seems that the records for Arlington are scattered and sketchy. No original plans or specifications for the estate exist, so far as he knows. Furthermore, it seems certain that the building was not completed according to the first plans nor was it built all at one time. Instead, the wings were built first—and perhaps changed to answer immediate utilitarian demands—before the main or central part of the house was begun. Then financial inability prevented the completion of the building in as fine a manner as it had been intended to do it.

With reference to the particular items listed in Colonel Mortimer's program of improvements and repairs, I can see no objection to going ahead with items 1, 4, 6, 7. No great point of historical import is involved in these, they being more particularly matters for the Branch of Plans and Design to pass on.

In regard to item 2, removing old wood steps and replacing with stone, this is in line with the plan drawn by Mr. Leisenring. There have never been stone steps for the building. However, Mr. Leisenring feels, that if the original owner had been financially able to complete the building as he started out to do, or if the architect who designed the building could have carried out his original plans, the stone steps would most likely have been built. Reasoning on this basis he feels that a faithful restoration of the mansion demands stone steps.

Fragmentary evidence only is basis for the restoration of the kitchen garden. It is a part of the plan proposed and now being carried out.

The plan to pave the floors in all the basement rooms not now paved was not suggested by Mr. Leisenring. At present the winter kitchen and one other small room in the basement are paved with the original brick. The wine cellar has a few brick along one side. The remainder of the rooms are not paved, some of them not even graded. The only justification for paving these rooms is to keep down the dust. The present arrangement of heating system makes impossible the utilization of the greater part of the basement space. There seems to be no reason from an historical standpoint which demands that they be paved. From the standpoint of operation, the paving may be considered a desirable improvement.

The projects above outlined and explained raise a point of policy with reference to the restoration of Arlington. To place stone steps where there have never been stone steps, and to pave the basement floors that have never been paved is restoration in spirit but not in detail. However, there is little question that the original plan of the house would have included these items. Furthermore they will fit into the present condition of the building, and as to the question of steps, I feel that stone steps that will by weathering take the appearance of old steps, are preferable to new wood steps that will have to be replaced at very frequent intervals. Therefore, my recommendation is that the improvements as suggested by Colonel Mortimer be approved. I mention, however, the desirability of close control being exercised over the design, material, and construction. In the meantime I shall continue my research in an effort to get additional data on the building and the original layout of grounds. . . .

From an accompanying brief history we quote only that relating to the architectural history and dates of construction. Of these topics, Cox wrote:

The building was designed by an architect by the name of Hadfield. The stones for its foundation came from the land nearby, and the bricks were burned of clay upon the place according to Lossing who wrote in 1853. There is disagreement as to the year of completion—one story holding that it was finished in 1804, and another not until after the War of 1812. [25]

In 1933 the dates of construction for Arlington House, namely 1802 for the north wing, 1803-04 for the south wing, and 1817-18 for the main or center house had not been established. In 1928-30 the War Department had restored the structure to its "1804 appearance".

On November 16, 1933, Chief Historian Chatelain submitted copies of the Cox memorandum for review to Associate Director Demaray, Taylor, Landscape Architect Peterson. He commented:

I believe [this] contributes materially to our understanding of the historical situation.

It is a matter of policy as to whether we should put steps where none ever existed, even though they were planned. My feeling is that we are safer not to do so. As to paving the basement — if it is a place visited by tourists possibly we should not pave. If the paving is for the preservation of the house and is not frequented, it may be all right. [26]

On December 4, 1933, Historian Cox submitted a second report to Chatelain in which he summarized the additional sources, all published between 1853-1930, that he had searched on the history of Arlington House. He wrote:

The investigations made so far have given a great deal of information, but far too little to be considered complete. I have found from an examination of the files in the War Department that much of the information I have been gathering is already to be had from the files there. Not only do their files, comprising eight bound volumes, contain a number of the written articles that I have listed above, but a vast amount of typewritten material consisting of notes from published works in the Library of Congress, stenographic reports of interviews with early inhabitants of the locality who remembered Arlington as it was before the war, correspondence relating to architectural features, furniture, pictures, and the condition of the grounds. In view of the fact that the reservation has been transferred to the Department of the Interior, I do not see why the files containing this large collection of information should not be transferred. I recommend that a request to this effect be made before any further studies are made by this office.

From my examination of this material in the War Department, I see no reason for not receiving the entire collection as now filed under the subject of Arlington. I do not believe that it contains material relating to another subject, at least very little of it does. In case this point is raised as an objection, then we should have that which relates to Arlington and to nothing else. This would be a very great addition to our files, and material without which we are not fully prepared to answer problems that will come up with reference to the place. [27]

In a memorandum to the director, dated December 15, 1933, Landscape Architect Peterson finally got around to commenting on Colonel Mortimer's improvement program as outlined on October 28 and on Historian Cox's report of November 15. After noting that he had not yet been able to make an official visit to the Lee Mansion, Peterson continued:

I understand from reading the newspapers that the painting work has gone ahead in the Mansion. The thing in particular that an architect could advise in this matter is the color of the paint, but we do not have any records here of the original colors, and I do not know that anyone else has.

Items 2, 3 and 5 in Col. Mortimer's memorandum seem to involve the installation of features which never existed in the earlier days. This office is opposed to "improving" antique structures to make them look as modern people think they should have, instead of trying to make them look as they really did.

Items 4, 6 and 7 appear to be purely maintenance matters though we would like to investigate them in detail before any construction is carried out.

Mr. Cox's memorandum on Arlington Mansion was interesting though it contained only the most superficial information about the physical condition of the structure and grounds. [28]

It remained to be seen if any of these opinions would have any influence on Colonel Mortimer's restoration projects.

D. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1934

1. A Coup d'Etat Fails

On January 25, 1934, Dr. Charles Moore, Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts and a noted architectural historian, wrote to President Franklin D. Roosevelt strongly urging that Arlington House be taken out of the custody of the National Park Service and returned to the care of the War Department, which had maintained the mansion since 1861. Moore wrote in part:

The Mansion has been restored by the War Department with dignity, historical accuracy and a certain elegance, in keeping with this famous building. Congress made such restoration subject to the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts, and our members have both approved and admired the work.

The transfer of the Mansion itself (which has not yet been done) to the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations is bound to lead to a host of petty conflicts of authority, as annoying as they are inevitable. Moreover, the transfer would lead to unnecessary expense in that it would involve a whole set of additional employees. Now, the work of the force deals with cemetery, mansion and grounds. In the interest of good administration, both mansion and cemetery should be in the same hands, responsible to the superintendent on the ground.

I have talked with both the park people and the cemetery people and each set is agreeable to leaving the Mansion with the War Department.

It would save complications in the appropriations now pending if such action could be taken at once. [29]

The letter was accompanied by the draft of a proposed law that would accomplish this transfer back to the quartermaster general. [30]

Arno B. Cammerer, Director of the National Park Service, did not agree with the Moore proposal and on January 31, Cammerer informed Secretary of the Interior Ickes:

I have received your note, together with the letter of Dr. Charles Moore of the Commission of Fine Arts, of January 25, dealing with the Lee Mansion in Arlington Cemetery. The proposal made by Dr. Moore to return the Mansion House to the War Department is not, in my opinion, desirable either from the standpoint of the general Historical program of this Office or from the point of view of public interest generally.

The conversation which I had with Dr. Moore was a casual one, in the manner in which we discuss informally many District matters of mutual interest and concern. I mentioned at the time that if there were superior reasons why it would be more advantageous to the United States to have the control of the Mansion under the War Department rather than under this Department I would not stand in the way of it. Several days later I called him specially on the telephone and stated that I had fully reviewed the situation and also had gone into the matter thoroughly with my associates, and that I was opposed to any such change. I regret that he raised this point, especially so at the present time, when conditions are yet not fully worked out.

When the Lee Mansion on August 10 was turned over by Executive Order the funds for its maintenance were so inextricably merged with those for Arlington Cemetery that in our conference with the War Department, we agreed to continue to rely on Colonel Mortimer and his Administration until he had time to get an accounting study made and reach an agreement as to a proper division of funds. This Office believes that that situation may have produced, in the minds of some people, a feeling that we are not keenly interested in the Mansion and anxious to assume the custody of it. Nothing could be further from the truth, and while we have received every consideration from representatives of the War Department in dealing with the situation, we feel that the present arrangement is temporary and that the sooner we can inaugurate our full program, the better it will be. The pending 1935 Interior Department Appropriation Bill contains $9,520 for protection and care of the Lee Mansion. Public Works funds also are available to this Office for necessary repair and restoration work which is now being carried out under our direction.

This Office is the proper custodian of places like the Lee Mansion. The problem is not only one of according reverence and respect to the place. It is a matter of treating it with a service which the War Department is not constituted to handle. At present we are managing several houses of national importance, among them the Ford House (Washington's Headquarters) at Morristown, Wakefield—the birthplace of George Washington, the Moore House at Yorktown—where the terms of surrender of Cornwallis were drafted, and the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The spirit of the President's Order, it is believed, contemplated the consolidation of all the Historical Shrines, as well as others, under one system, not only for the purposes of proper preservation, but also in order that they might be given proper interpretation through the Historical-Educational service of this Office.

Also, it may be said that the people generally in the State of Virginia welcomed the change in the management of the Lee Mansion from the War Department to this Office, and that a storm of protest, in my judgment, would be aroused throughout the South if the Lee Mansion was turned back to the War Department.

At Lee Mansion, the solution of our problems in this transition period lies not in returning the site to the War Department and returning once more to a lack of system in managing these historic Shrines, but rather in the enlargement of the grounds about the Mansion House and the development of a program which will be fully adequate to the dignity and importance of the Lee Mansion, associated as it was with important events in the life of the Washington and Lee families. [31]

President Roosevelt turned this problem over to the Secretary of the Interior for decision. On February 2, 1934, Secretary Ickes rejected the plan, explaining to Chairman Moore:

The President has discussed with me your letter to him of January 25, with reference to the Lee Mansion in Arlington Cemetery. We have gone into this matter thoroughly and in view of the fact that the Executive Order by which this Mansion was transferred to the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations of the Interior Department has become effective, it was decided to let matters stand as they are. There is no conflict between the War Department and the Department of the Interior and I think that if you will give the Interior Department a reasonable time you will have no cause to complain of the way in which the Mansion is being taken care of. [32]

In Office Order 272, dated June 26, 1934, Director Cammerer, acting "in accordance with the provisions of the Executive Order of June 10, 1933, as amended, issued pursuant to the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1933 (Public Law 428, 47 Stat. 1517) announced that the Lee Mansion will be included hereafter in the Potomac Park Group, Buildings Branch." [33] Arlington House remained in the custody of the National Park Service.

2. Painting the Mansion and Slaves' Quarters, 1934

The contract with Clarence W. Gosnell, Inc., of Washington D.C., was entered into on December 19, 1933, and work was underway in December 1933 and completed on April 24, 1934, at a cost of $1,080. Under the contract the interior and exterior of the mansion received two coats of paint and the interior of the slaves' quarters was also given two coats. Final payment on the contract was made on May 3, 1934. [34]

In a progress report, dated July 9, 1934, on the work proposed under his estimate of September 29-30, 1933, Colonel Mortimer commented on the painting project:

Item 1 — Painting Arlington Mansion and Slave Quarters. Contract for this painting was made by your office and did not include the exterior of the Slave Quarters. All work called for was completed last spring in a satisfactory manner. Since that time I have painted those portions of the exterior of the Slave Quarters which were not included in the contract. [35]

3. Repair and Alterations to Mansion's Electrical System

In March and April 1934 repairs and changes were made to the electrical system at Arlington House. [36] Some electrical circuits were changed.

4. Restoration of Kitchen Garden

Of this project, Colonel Mortimer reported on July 9:

Item 3—Restoration in part of the kitchen garden.

Items a, b, c, d, e and f have all been completed as indicated. Item g—one laborer was employed on this work as a gardener up to June 30, 1934, on which date he was dropped from your rolls.

5. Improvements to Grounds

Colonel Mortimer reported of this project on July 9, 1934:

Item 4—Improvements and maintenance to grounds—expenditures made under this item up to June 30th amounted to $519.00 (gross amt.) [37]

6. Placement of Brick Floors in All Basement Rooms

The search for suitable old bricks to pave the floors in the basement rooms of the mansion started in 1933 and continued into 1934. On January 8, responding to Assistant Director Gill's note of January 3, Colonel Mortimer reported, "I have inspected the old common building bricks in your store yard and they are not suitable for the job. The bricks must be ones which have been used in a pavement." [38] On May 15, Colonel Mortimer again asked for Gill's assistance in securing suitable old paving bricks, commenting, "I am anxious to get to work on the floors of those basement rooms." [39] On May 22, Assistant Director Gill informed Mortimer:

This office has contacted the Highway Department of the District Government relative to securing the bricks desired and the Department gave us approximately 2,000 bricks, which were delivered to you today. They advised that due to the fact that all old paving bricks are needed by them in repaving work, no more could be spared at this time, and that they would not have any more any time in the near future. [40]

In his monthly report for May 1934, Colonel Mortimer noted, "New work on restoration: Brick flooring laid in wine cellar [Room BO-3], hallway [Room BO-1], and part of center room [in the basement of the mansion]. No more old bricks." [41] The shortage of bricks thus saved the other rooms in the basement of the mansion from having their original earthen floors "restored" with new brick floors.

In summarizing his work on this project on July 9, Colonel Mortimer reported:

Item 5—Restoring brick floors in all basement rooms. Continuing efforts have been made to secure old bricks necessary for this work and through the help of your office I succeeded in getting about 2000 bricks and paved one hallway, wine cellar and part of another room. The remainder of the work is not completed, due to the lack of suitable material. [42]

This work was done in the cellar stairway hall, the wine cellar and probably the winter kitchen.

7. Repairs to Mansion Walls and Roof

In March and April repairs were made to the walls and ceiling of the mansion, the stucco on the exterior, and the woodwork and hardware. The broken places in the plaster on the exterior and interior of the old slaves' quarters were also repointed. [43]

New slate was received and placed on the mansion roof in June. In his July 9 report, Colonel Mortimer remarked of this work:

Item 6—Minor repairs to walls, roof, etc. This has been done from time to time, using material supplied by this office and charging labor to the Mansion payrolls. [44]

8. Rebuilding the Conservatory (Room 116) Roof

Of this project, Colonel Mortimer reported on July 9th:

Item 7—Rebuilding Conservatory roof. This item has been taken care of but the roof has not been rebuilt, inasmuch as the estimate is not believed sufficient to cover. [45]

9. Expenditures for the Arlington Restoration Program, 1933-34

Of the total of $12,470 provided for the completion of Federal Project 374, Restoration of the Lee Mansion, Colonel Mortimer expended $5,424.96 in the period October 2, 1933, to November 19, 1934, leaving an unencumbered balance in this account of $7,045.04 on the latter date. [46]

10. Inspections and Reports on Fire Protection and Wiring Systems

In March 1934 the National Park Service detailed two experts to check the fire protection and wiring systems of Arlington. These were Frank L. Ahern, Fire Protection Engineer attached to the Branch of Forestry, and Arthur Halstead from the Secretary of the Interior's Office. [47] The War Department had equipped the Arlington House and its outbuildings with an Atmo alarm system in 1929-30 at a cost of $1,744 and the mansion had been rewired in 1929 at an approximate cost of $1,500. [48] The detailed report of these two men, entitled "Report on Fire Protection for Lee Mansion, Lee Mansion, Electric Wiring, Fire Alarm and Watchmen's Report System," was submitted to the director on April 17, 1934. [49] The report included a detailed description of the existing conditions and recommendations for improvement. They suggested the installation of a new 6-inch water pipe in place of the 4-inch line which then served the mansion as well as a number of other changes and additions (see Plan 4). [50]

11. Battle Over Proposed Stone Steps for Portico, 1934-35

On February 12, 1934, Charles A. Peters, Jr., Eastern Division, Branch of Engineering, informed John L. Nagle of the same branch:

Specifications for the proposed new stone steps for the Arlington Mansion, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, were prepared by this office, to cover the work contemplated by the plan prepared by the Construction Division, Office of the Quartermaster General of the War Department.

The specifications and a copy of the plan were forwarded to Mr. Peterson for comment. Copies of my forwarding memorandum and Mr. Peterson's reply are attached hereto, together with the specifications and a plan showing the proposed work.

After explaining that his office had inherited the job and was now merely attempting to finish the work that the War Department had started, Peters continued:

Mr. Leisenring, Chief of the Architectural Division of the Quartermaster General's Office has informed us that he has made a very complete study of the construction of the Mansion. He has prepared all of the plans which have been required for the work of restoration, and his plans, including this one for the steps, were designed we were informed, to carry out the original builder's intent. He believes that Mr. Custis, who began the construction, must surely have contemplated the use of stone steps although, since the lack of money required the wings be constructed at first with the center portion following at a later date, he may never have had steps other than of wood. Portions of the center part were not completed till after the Civil War because of lack of funds. Mr. Leisenring said that wooden steps were not at all in keeping with that type of construction, namely stone columns and brick porch floor, and that similar mansions in this locality built at that time invariably used Aquia sandstone for steps, sills, etc. Mr. Leisenring would be pleased to present his view to anyone interested.

Perhaps another factor which should be taken into consideration in connection with this work is that wood steps are not permanent and will continually require painting and will occasionally require replacement. This will constitute a maintenance cost which could be eliminated through the use of stone steps.

In conclusion, Peters noted that work was ready to be advertised but, because of Mr. Peterson's disapproval, "we can take no further steps until we receive additional instructions." [51]

Nagle passed Peters' memorandum and the problem to Mr. Taylor on February 13. [52] Two weeks later, Assistant Director Gill, Building Branch, sent the specifications and drawings for the proposed stone steps to the associate director, commenting, "As the Engineering Branch could do nothing further, the matter has been referred back to me and I am sending you the file on this subject in the hope that you may be able to assist me in reaching a settlement on this question." [53]

On March 2 Colonel Mortimer wrote to Assistant Director Gill, requesting that the plans and specifications for constructing the proposed stone steps at Arlington House "be sent to me in order that I may prepare the requisition on your office for advertising this work." He argued that the steps should be built now with the money that was available. He continued:

It was indicated to me that exception has been taken to the replacement of these steps as part of the restoration due to the fact that the objector was of the opinion they should not be so replaced.

In the studies made by the War Department at the initiation of the restoration of the Lee Mansion, it was decided that stone steps should be installed around the east portico as replacement for the one concrete and four wooden steps now there. The latter were built some time in the 80s or 90s when the building was fixed up as an abode for the Superintendent and the Landscape Gardener. They have, from time to time, been replaced as needed. The question whether stone steps belong as part of the restoration is not necessarily one of whether stone steps were there originally or not. It is rather a question of what belonged there. And what, had the building been finished, would have been put there by the owner. Our records and studies show that the building was never finished until after it was taken over by the United States. There is no question as to the propriety and appropriateness of stone steps to the portico of a building of this type and construction.

Studies made by the architect who designed the restoration indicated stone steps. They were included in the original scheme of restoration. Due to shortage of money and the considerable cost of the steps, they have not been built heretofore. With the money available at this time, they should be built. As I understand it, this item of continued restoration is one of those which has received approval by your department. [54]

The National Park Service, however, failed to provide Col. Mortimer with the desired material and on July 9, in his progress report the colonel was forced to write:

Item 2—Removing old wood steps of the portico and replacing same with stone steps. Drawings were submitted to the Engineering Branch of your office with a view to having them write up specifications on those drawings some time last winter. I have never received either the drawings or specifications back. It is my understanding that objections to replacing the steps were made by your department. [55]

In a memorandum to the director, dated November 19, 1934, Gill ended the uneasy quiet that had existed on the stone step battlefield, by writing:

The matter of providing the stone steps was referred to the Branch of Plans and Designs and adverse report was received based on the belief that stone steps were not considered to be correct historically.

However, both Mr. Nagle and I believe that stone steps should be provided because of their permanency. In Colonel Mortimer's memorandum herewith there are a number of items of furniture and furnishings still needed in connection with the restoration work and $100 is listed as an estimate for traveling expenses incident to acquiring such material.

Advice is requested as to whether you consider proper the expenditure of funds under the P. W. Project No. 374, restoration of Lee Mansion, for the items included in Colonel Mortimer's report, and whether there is a possibility of having the Branch of Plans and Designs reconsider its previous report on the installation of stone steps. [56]

Director Cammerer referred the problem, which included the expenditure of $3,000 for removing the old wooden steps and replacing them with stone, to Landscape Architect Peterson. He wrote, "Please let me have a report on this matter as soon as possible so that a decision may be made with reference to the disposition of the funds." [57] In a very brief note to the director, dated December 18, Peterson reaffirmed his opposition to the construction of the stone steps by quoting his disapproval of the project offered in his letter of December 15, 1933. [58] On December 21, Acting Associate Director Hillory A. Tolson informed Gill that "unless you desire to recommend the transfer of the $3,000 to some other project [for Arlington House], the necessary steps will be taken to transfer this $3,000 to our unallotted Public Works reserve fund." [59]

In a longhand note to Peters, Nagle wrote on December 26, 1934, "In the last analysis do we care what kind of steps surround this porch. Suggest we ask for transfer of $3,000 to some place where it will do us most good." [60]

E. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1935

1. Climax of Battle of the Steps

On January 7, 1935, Peters, in a letter to Nagle, reported that he had discussed the question of the $3,000 with Gill and that "we suggest re-allotting $3,000 in such manner that will permit its use for some other work in connection with the restoration of the Lee Mansion." [61]

Tolson's letter of December 21, 1934, had been referred by Gill to Colonel Mortimer on January 16, 1935, and the officer replied by strongly urging the construction of the stone steps, writing in part, "To my mind, there is no doubt about the historical correctness of stone steps on a building of the Lee Mansion type. I will be glad to have this matter settled by the Director of the National Parks Service. I have worked more or less continuously for the past five and a half years on the restoration of the Mansion and I am keenly interested in completing the job." [62]

On January 18 Assistant Director Gill tossed the entire problem back into the lap of Assistant Director Tolson by sending on the letters of Peters and Mortimer and asking, "Do you wish to arrange for this conference and advise Colonel Mortimer, or shall we consider the matter of the stone steps closed and submit a recommendation for the reallotment of the sum of $3,000 to some other project?" [63]

On January 25 Director Cammerer issued an order instructing Messrs. Demaray, Tolson, Gill, Peterson, Chatelain, and Taylor, to meet in Demaray's office at 10 a.m. on January 29, to meet with Colonel Mortimer to discuss the problem of the stone steps for the Lee Mansion. [64]

Apparently in preparation for this conference, Chief Historian Chatelain directed Historical Assistant J. Walter Coleman to conduct some historical research on the question of the stone steps. In a one page report dated January 23, 1934, Coleman reported that the earliest detailed description he could find was Benson J. Lossing's "Arlington House," in Harper's Monthly Magazine of September 1853. "Lossing's sketch [of the portico] shows four steps but the viewpoint is too distant to indicate the material of which they are constructed."

Two "Brady" photographs (No. 856, June 23, 1864, and No. 2304) both in the Fine Arts Division, Library of Congress, show "that there were then four steps and they are clearly revealed, in my opinion, as constructed of wood. . ." In conclusion, he wrote, "Since no very early view [prior to 1864] is available, I can only say that there were four steps in place at the time of the Civil War and have been since that time." [65]

The meeting was held on January 29 and L. M. Leisenring, the architect who had directed restoration of the Lee Mansion for the quartermaster corps, attended and urged the construction of the portico steps in stone. In a letter to the director, dated February 1, and expressing the architect's personal views on the subject, as required by Chatelain, Leisenring conceded that steps to the portico had probably always been constructed of wood. He wrote in regards to the steps:

The architect of Arlington House was George Hadfield, a young Englishman who came to this country in the late 1700's to assist Doctor Thornton with the design for the National Capitol. Hadfield was a man educated in the then newly rediscovered and delineated architecture of Greece, and Mr. Custis, who built Arlington House, was exactly the type of man who would demand in his residence the latest mode and the most impressive design.

The fact that Mr. Custis overreached himself with his designs and could not fully complete them for many years after their original conception is evidenced by the fact that certain parts of the house were left without stucco, although the original design was for a completely stuccoed building laid off to imitate freestone. There is no positive evidence that the stone steps to the portico were not not [sic] constructed, but presumably this was one of the things that was left undone. So far as we have been able to discover the temporary wood steps were left to remain. In recent years the lowest step was rebuilt in concrete to avoid the frequent repairs required. [66]

The conference decided against reconstructing the portico steps of stone. [67] On February 4, 1935, Nagle informed Peterson, "I am forwarding herewith Mr. Chatelain's memorandum of January 31, to Mr. Cammerer concerning the steps for the Lee Mansion. The Director's orders that the steps be constructed of wood have been noted. I presume that you will desire to take care of the work." The battle of the steps was over. [68]

In a letter to Gill, dated January 23, 1935, Nagle reported that the allotment under Federal Project 374 for Lee Mansion had been $13,855, of which $6,708.23 was still unexpended. [69]

The money had been allotted and expended as follows:

2. Proposed Work Program for 1935

In a letter to Assistant Director Gill dated January 23, 1935, Nagle reviewed the progress that had been made on the seven projects proposed by Colonel Mortimer's estimates of September 29-30, 1933, and funded as Federal Project 374, with $1,385 for engineering and $12,470 for construction. Nagle reported that four of the proposed projects had been completed, and that the three uncompleted ones were:

1. Replacing the old wood steps at the Lee Mansion portico with new ones (Item 2).

2. The restoration of the brick floors in the basement of the mansion, finished in three rooms, had not been completed in "approximately five rooms and one hallway" because of the shortage of old paving bricks (Item 5).

Nagle wrote of the Conservatory roof:

The roof over the Conservatory is in very poor condition and should be replaced. The present construction is wood which has rotted away in several places so that leaks have developed. It was the intention to replace this with a structural steel structure with wire glass panels. [70]

As has been mentioned, there was $6,708.23 left in the 1933 funds to continue this restoration program.

3. New Wooden Steps for Portico

The Eastern Division, Branch of Plans and Design, conducted an investigation of the physical evidence to be found at and under the old wooden steps of the mansion portico. On April 4, 1935, Architect Thomas T. Waterman stated:

In order to complete our investigations of the steps of Arlington Mansion it will be necessary to take up the rest of the wood steps to the Portico and excavate under them. While this excavation is being made it will be necessary to build temporary steps to the Portico at the North end of the front where the investigation is already complete. [71]

This study was being conducted "in order to be able to definitely determine the original form of the Portico steps" and in order that National Park Service should not "be placed in an embarassing position if further information should come to light" about the steps. [72] On April 25, 1935, Colonel Mortimer wrote to Gill, warning that the end of the fiscal year was approaching rapidly and that contracts should be let, or day labor used to build the new steps before the money for this project was lost. The time problem was resolved by an act of Congress on the Public Works funds and on May 9, Mortimer again wrote Gill and urged:

Inasmuch as the appropriation for the Restoration of the Mansion has been extended two years from next June 30th, I hope you will spike any further efforts on the part of other branches of the National Park Service to use the balance remaining in the allotment. [73]

In a report submitted to Landscape Architect Peterson on May 7, 1935, Waterman called attention to the fact that the Lee Mansion had been restored to the wrong period (the Custis era) rather than to the Lee period (the era immediately prior to the Civil War) as the Joint Resolution of Congress had required. Waterman noted also that the existing exterior paint job did not agree with the external appearance of the mansion at the time of the Civil War. He wrote:

The proposal to restore the steps to the portico of Arlington Mansion makes me wonder if further restoration work should not be undertaken to fulfill the requirements of Public Resolution—No. 74 68th Congress (H.J. Res 264) that the Lee Mansion be restored to the Condition in which it existed immediately prior to the Civil War. Funds for this work are available, I believe.

In one important characteristic the house has been radically changed from this state, that is in the exterior painting. In the photographs taken during the war the stucco of the exterior is definitely shown as veined to represent Aquia Creek stone. This is now painted white and buff. A drawing shows the pediment to have been plastered and laid off in blocks to represent stone, while at present it is boarded. In my opinion, the intent of the architect will be more nearly fulfilled if the exterior stucco is restored to simulate stonework. Thus a true restoration, as required by the Congress, will be accomplished, and the Mansion as seen across the new bridge will better harmonize with the stone work of the approach. It is possible that the simulated stone veining was done in fresco and remains under the existing paint, and can be recovered.

Although no photograph seems to exist of the court side of the house, there is an indisputable indication that a porch was proposed if not built here. This is in the hinged panels under the second floor hall window, to permit egress. No signs show on the exterior as the stucco has been replaced here. I believe that excavations should be made under the rear step to determine if the porch was ever built. The rebuilding of such a porch would be a great artistic addition to the facade. [74]

The specifications for the construction of the steps to the portico for the Arlington Mansion at the Arlington Cemetery and notice for bidders were issued on June 6. These were accompanied by plans for stone and wood steps (Drawings 2.3-68) dated June 4, 1935. The sealed bids were to be opened on June 11. [75] On June 18, Oliver G. Taylor, Deputy Chief Engineer, notified the J. George Bensel Company of Baltimore, Maryland, that they were being awarded the contract as the lowest bidder for the sum of $1,690. [76] The J. George Bensel Company received its copy of the approved contract on July 20 and had 40 calendar days, or until August 29, to complete its work. [77]

There is evidence that the top tread of the steps, which formed the outer edge of the portico, was replaced with sandstone as a part of this contract. This data is contained in a series of letters from the contractor requesting an extension of time due to delay of sandstone from a quarry at Mount Pisbia, Ohio. Severe floods in Ohio and West Virginia had halted transportation of the stone. [78] The project was apparently completed within the extension period as there is no further correspondence on the steps project.

4. Reconstructing Roof Over Conservatory (Room 116)

The preliminary drawing showing the proposed reconstruction of the roof over the conservatory was submitted for Peterson's review on May 2, 1935. In his letter of transmittal, W.B. Montgomery, Acting Chief, Design Section, commented:

We proposed the use of aluminum shapes of such size which when painted, will give the impression that the members are of wood. Also, all connections would be hidden. In other words, the roof, when painted, would have every appearance of wood with none of its objectionable features from the standpoint of maintenance. [79]

The specifications for reconstructing the roof over the conservatory of the Arlington Mansion, and the invitations to bid were issued on May 29, 1935. The sealed bids were opened on June 11. [80]

That same day, Deputy Chief Engineer Taylor, informed the Redmond Concrete Company, Inc. of Philadelphia, they were being awarded the contract as the low bidder at $2,290. [81] The company received its copy of the approved contract on July 9, and the project was supposed to be completed within 60 calendar days or by September 7, 1935. [82] Due to changes instituted by the National Park Service in the specifications, the company asked for and received a total of 104 calendar days in extension of time. The project appears to have been completed within the extended period. [83]

The alterations that caused the delays were:

1. Modification in the design of aluminum joints (Drawing File 2.1-60). These were manufactured by the Aluminum Company of America, and the revised product was not received by the contractor until October 14.

2. On October 12, Assistant Chief Nagle requested and the contractor agreed on October 28 to do the following additional work:

It has been found that the brick wall does not extend high enough to anchor the new aluminum rafters in the manner indicated on the contract drawings.

Therefore, this office is considering the advisability of including the following described work under your contract, and accordingly you are requested to submit an estimate of the cost which would be involved; and on a separate sheet indicate a detailed breakdown of your estimate.

The work would consist of undercutting the existing wooden rafters and installing a 6 inch by 4 inch yellow pine plate above and toe-nailed to the existing wood wall plate. The new plate would extend the entire length of the wall involved in supporting the new aluminum rafters.

Your attention is invited to the fact that if the work be performed in the manner indicated above, it will not be necessary for you to drill for or furnish expansion bolts for the anchors, but you will be required to install anchor belts through the wood plates for each aluminum rafter. [84]

5. Problems with Mansion Stairs

On September 11 Colonel Mortimer expressed his concern for the safety of the stairways in the Lee Mansion to Assistant Director Gill. He observed:

1. I request that you cause a careful inspection to be made of the beams or struts which support both stairways in the Lee Mansion and particularly the main "up" stairway.

2. Due to the large number of people using these stairways, I am a little concerned regarding their strength to support the weight. Of course, we regulate the number of people that may go on the stairway at any one time but their supporting strength should be beyond question. [85]

Acting Assistant Director Peters, responded on September 17, informing Colonel Mortimer:

The struts and beams supporting the stairways were found to be in excellent condition and the stairs were amply strong, except for the second flight of the "up" stairs. This flight deflects and vibrates under traffic.

It is suggested that the plaster be removed during a slack period so that the beams may be examined further. [86]

On November 21, 1935, Colonel Mortimer suggested that the steps from the south hall (Room 113) to the conservatory (Room 116) needed repair. He explained:

1. The steps from the south hall of the Arlington Mansion to the Conservatory . . . need resetting and the brick floor of the conservatory needs tearing up, under-filling and replacing on a good bed of sand.

2. It might be well to have the contractor now working on the roof of the Conservatory do this as an extra under his contract, if possible. Otherwise, it should be done as a matter of maintenance. [87]

The above projects completed the work that was undertaken on Arlington House during 1935. Of the $6,708.23 in Public Works funds available on January 23, 1935, approximately $3,980 had been expended under the terms of the two contracts, leaving a balance of some $2,700.23 available for work in 1936.

F. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1936

No major work was done to the mansion in 1936. The following alterations and repairs, however, were made during 1936:

1. Electrical Meter

At the request of Colonel Mortimer, a meter to measure the use of electricity was installed at the mansion so that the power used by the National Park Service could be separated from that used by the War Department for Arlington National Cemetery. The meter was ordered on February 11, 1936, and installed on April 8, 1936. [88]

2. Stairs and Floors

B.C. Gardner, Chief, Administrative and Protection Division, inspected Arlington House and reported to Peters on May 1, 1936:

In a recent inspection of the Lee Mansion it was noted that the bottom step leading from the basement to the first floor, north stairs, is decayed and in need of repair. Also the stair guard-rail leading from the first to the second floor should be strengthened.

With the large number of visitors congregating on the second floor, it is believed that the question of safe carrying capacity of the floor should be studied. [89]

These repairs were made from regular maintenance funds.

3. Alterations to Wire Grille Guarding Room Entrances

In his May 1 report to Peters, Gardner noted:

In view of the value of the furnishings in the Mansion consideration should be given to providing grille gates or doors of sufficient height to prevent persons gaining access to the rooms. [90]

Assistant Director Peters directed F. Kaufholz, Jr., Technical Division, to "prepare an estimate for remodeling all of the wire grille entrance-ways to the various rooms so that they will be approximately seven and one-half feet high. Where curved entrance-ways are not provided, the new installation should be curved as so to permit visitors to actually step into the room." [91]

In his report to Peters, dated May 5, 1936, Kaufholz wrote:

An inspection has been made of the number of interior doorways to be fully enclosed at the Lee Mansion. Using most of the present grilles and adding sections on top, there is needed approximately 340 square feet additional at $.50 per square foot. The estimated cost is $170.00. This price includes the slave quarters and an exterior door for the north slave house. [92]

4. Minor Roof Repairs

During October 1936, "Several small leaks in the roof" of the Lee Mansion were repaired. [93]

5. Front Steps Painted

During November 1936 "the front steps at the Lee Mansion were painted." [94]

During the period January 1, 1936, to April 9, 1937, some $2,500 was expended on small improvement projects at the Lee Mansion buildings. Of the total $2,728.23 in Public Works Federal Project 374 funds that had been available on January 1, a balance of $216.20 in unexpended restoration funds was recorded on April 9. These funds were to be returned to the general treasury if they were not obligated by June 30, 1937. [95]

G. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1937

1. Painting Interior Woodwork in Halls and Exterior Steps

No major work was done on the mansion during 1937. In his monthly narrative report for March 1937, Acting Superintendent Harper L. Garret noted that "Minor repairs were made at the Lee Mansion." [96]

In the report for May, Garrett wrote, "At the Lee Mansion the porch steps at the west entrance to the main and north halls and all woodwork in the lower and upper halls were painted. Minor repairs were also made to the roof of the south slave quarters."

2. Inspection of Electrical Wiring Systems

"On May 13 and 14 an inspection was made by representatives of the American District Telegraph Company of all electric wiring of the Mansion and slave quarters." [97]

3. Preservation of Paintings and Fresco

On June 4, Ned J. Burns, Acting Chief, Museum Division, provided Superintendent Garrett with an estimate of $51.11 for the work of one artist for eight days for "retouching and preservation of three old paintings on stone and on the fresco in the Lee Mansion." This work was to be paid for from the Public Works, Federal Project 374 account. [98] In his monthly report for July, Superintendent Garrett reported:

At the Lee Mansion the painting of the woodwork in the Mansion and north slave quarters was continued. In addition the three paintings over the doors of the south slave quarters and the fresco in the hall of the Mansion were retouched by Mr. Herman Van Cott, an artist from the Museum Division. The work was carefully done so that the antique appearance of the paintings might be preserved. [99]

4. Plans for Five Proposed Projects from Public Works Funds

Considerable thought, however, was given to future work on the mansion under projects to be financed, hopefully, by Federal Public Works funds. The forms for five such projects, dated May 25, 1937, requested $14,025 to be expended:

1. Weather stripping all outside openings: $3,125

The present windows and doors are very loose and leak air in cold weather.

High winds cause bad drafts and due to air leakage waste fuel. Dirt is blown into the building and the walls and furnishings are damaged due both to dirt and dry air in winter.

Fuel savings as high as 15 per cent can be expected with well weatherstripped buildings. [100]

2. Replacing steps at Lee Mansion: $600

The present steps at the mansion are badly in need of repair. They are in such condition that they are a hazard to the public. [101]

3. Replacing roof gutters and all downspouts: $3,600

At the present time several small leaks have developed. It is anticipated that the entire roof and down-spouts will have to be replaced or repaired by 1941. [The existing system of copper gutters and downspouts had been installed on the mansion in 1929.] [102]

4. Repointing and redecorating exterior and interior of Lee Mansion: $2,500

This house is an historic structures [sic] and should be pointed on the outside every three years for preservation. On the inside the house should be redecorated every five years due to the heating system carrying dirt into the house and to absence of weather stripping on all openings. [103]

5. Heating system—installation of control fan and humidifier and otherwise improving present heating system in Lee Mansion. [Heating system had been installed in 1929-30.] $4,200 [104]

The existing heating system is inadequate. The control is subject to outside wind conditions. The arrangement of the fresh air intake is such that dirt is carried into the house. The system does not recirculate house air but used all outside air. This is wasteful of fuel as recirculation of a greater portion of the room air through the heaters will reduce the fuel used by at least 30 percent for heating. . . .

With the present arrangement it is impossible to heat the building to 60° Fahrenheit when it is 0° Fahrenheit outside.

In the 1939 preliminary estimate for the Lee Mansion, Assistant Regional Director Peters requested, in addition to the normal maintenance and operating funds, $9,400 for the following four improvement and repair projects:

1. Paint exterior and interior, patch plaster and point up where necessary $2,700

The exterior finish of the Lee Mansion consists of lime Stucco on brick. This Stucco in many instances has become loosened by the action of water and frost and should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent the water from increasing the damage. The entire surface has begun to peel and should be protected by additional coats of paint to prevent the weathering action from deteriorating the exterior surface. [105]

2. Reconstruct and repair heating system to furnish adequate heat $3,500

The present heating system in the Lee Mansion is of the indirect type using hot water as the heating medium. There are six sets of cast iron hot water coils on the basement ceiling each connected to ductwork supplying heated air to concealed outlets on the first floor. The inlet to these coils is from window openings in the basement.

With these outside air connections there is not sufficient heating surface in the coils to heat the building.

The heating is also at the mercy of the winds as a cold wind blowing against an outside air intake will produce cold drafts in the room.

It is proposed to apply motor driven fans to these heating units and change the outside air intake connections to recirculate the air from the house.

Such an alteration would reduce the heating costs by approximately thirty per cent and insure adequate heating without cold drafts. [106]

3. Reconstruct and repair fire detection system $1,200

The recorder on the fire detection system is now located in the boiler room at the Mansion. Because of its out of the way location, and in the event of fire the guard would be required to leave the Mansion and rush to the boiler house in order to determine the location of the fire. In a building of this type such loss of time would probably result in the fire's gaining such headway as to be beyond control before the guard could return.

The installation of the tubing is defective in a number of locations and the detector units are in need of complete replacement.

The recorder should be moved to the Custodian's office and the necessary repairs made to the tubing and detector units so that the system may operate in the proper manner. [107]

4. Install 1-1/2-inch standpipe hose stations and hose $2,000

Provide improved fire fighting facilities by installing one and one-half inch standpipe hose stations and hose to reach all parts of the building. Estimated cost $2,000.00.

The present fire fighting equipment in the building consists of portable extinguishers. After these are used the additional protection depends on the arrival of the fire engine and crew from Fort Myer. A fire could gain considerable headway before this equipment and large hose lines could be brought into service. The installation of the proposed one and one-half inch standpipe hose stations would make it possible for a small force to successfully fight a fire of considerable size and extinguish it or at least hold it in check until assistance arrived. [108]

Of the $9,400 requested, the Bureau of the Budget, on December 31, 1937, allowed only $2,700 for painting and patching the exterior and interior of the mansion to remain in the estimate that was submitted to Congress. [109]

The Interior Department Appropriation Act provided $15,210 for the administration, protection, and maintenance of the Lee Mansion during the 1938 fiscal year: $8,740 was for administration and protection and $4,740 for maintenance, repair, and operations. [110]

H. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1938

1. Closing of Public Works Federal Project 374, 1933-38

Public Works Federal Project 374, funded with $12,470 in September 1933, was officially closed on August 4, 1938. At its completion the total expended on the project was $12,304.91. [111]

On March 16, 1938, Executive Officer H.L. Wooten alerted Assistant Director Peters that at least $3,000 would be available to make improvements at the Lee Mansion. He explained:

A study of the accounts for Lee Mansion indicates that on the present basis of operation there will be a surplus of between $3,000 and $3,500 in this year's allotment, due to the delay in filling the Superintendent's position, the Historian's position and the Librarian's position.

It is suggested that steps be initiated at this time to perform necessary physical improvements and repairs to the Mansion not to exceed approximately $3,000. [112]

2. Reconstruction and Repair of Mansion Heating System

On April 18, 1938, Assistant Director Peters, informed Associate Director Demaray:

The item for reconstructing and repairing the heating system, estimated to cost $3,500 which was included in the 1939 estimates but which was not allowed by the Bureau of the Budget, will be undertaken during the current fiscal year from savings that have been made through delay in filling the positions of Superintendent, Junior Historian and Librarian. [113]

On April 21, Peters wrote to Oliver G. Taylor and inquired if Taylor's office could handle this work and have it under contract by June 30. The estimated cost, he noted, was $3,500 and he explained:

It is believed funds will be available to correct the inadequate heating system in the Lee Mansion. The work should be done by contract and plans and specifications will be necessary. The work will involve changes in sheet metal duct work and the addition of electric blowers to change the system to a recirculating forced draft system. Mr. Mallett, of the Technical Division, is familiar with what is required. [114]

The contract was awarded to Teunis F. Collier as Contract 1-1P-12842, and drawing File 2.1-85. [115]

The architectural effects on the structure of the mansion resulting from the installation of the heating system are revealed in Assistant Architect Stuart M. Barnette's memorandum to Thomas Vint on July 15, 1938:

On Thursday, July 14, in the company of Inspector Hunt of the Branch of Engineering, I visited the Lee Mansion . . . .

The most inconspicuous positions have already been selected for the heat grills. The only contribution I could make to further their obscurity was to suggest they be kept as close to the base board as possible and be grained in painting to match the present flooring.

In the basement it will become necessary in the installation of new work to cut into the original arched chimney foundations and in one instance to cut into part of an original basement fireplace. There seems to be no way to eliminate the necessity of this cutting other than exposing a large unsightly grille in the floor of one of the main rooms of the first floor. It is therefore recommended that the fireplace to be altered be measured and recorded before construction begins and that pure white Medusa cement mortar be used in making these and all other changes in the masonry. By so doing the white joints in the new work will furnish a permanent and obvious record of changes which have been made to the original structure.

Installation of this new work was to have started this week. The measurements of the fireplace to be altered should therefore be taken at once. Two hours should suffice to complete such records. [116]

Change Order 1 required some additional work to a basement wall as revealed by the following letter of Chief of Engineering Taylor to the contractor, Teunis F. Collier of Washington, D.C. dated September 15, 1938: [117]

The offer contained in your letter of September 10, 1938, to furnish the necessary labor and materials required to complete the work of underpinning the basement wall and other work indicated on our drawing File No. 2.1-35 in connection with Contract No. I-1P-12842 for making certain alterations to the Heating System of the Lee Mansion located within the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, for the sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Dollars ($115.00) is considered reasonable and is hereby accepted. You are, therefore, directed to proceed with the work as above indicated.

This additional work involving an increase in your contract price in the amount of One Hundred and Fifteen Dollars ($115.00) will be recorded as Change No. 1.

This work was completed by December 1938. [118]

The 1939 appropriation bill provided $17,380 for the administration, protection, and maintenance of Lee Mansion. Of this sum, $2,700 was earmarked for "Painting exterior and interior, patching plaster and pointing up." Of the total, $9,880 was for administration and protection, and $7,500 for maintenance, repair, and operation. [119]

The preliminary estimate for the 1940 fiscal year for Lee Mansion included a request for $3,200 for two projects: (1) reconstruct and repair fire detection system — $1,200; and (2) install 1-1/2-inch standpipe, hose stations, and hose — $2,000, which had first been proposed July 14, 1937, but was then deleted by the Bureau of the Budget from the final estimate for 1939. [120]

I. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1939 [121]

1. Exterior and Interior Painting

Under the terms of the appropriations for fiscal year 1939, $2,700 was alloted for painting the exterior and interior of the Lee Mansion. This work must have been accomplished in 1939 as the funds were not returned to the general treasury. The park files for 1939, however, contain no correspondence or contracts relating to this painting project.

2. Repainting Three Panels

On November 17, 1939, Acting Superintendent Frank T. Gartside requested Ned J. Burns of the Museum Division "to proceed with the re-painting of the three panels at the Lee Mansion, as outlined in your memorandum of November 10," and to bill his office for the work.

On December 1, 1939, Acting Superintendent Gartside informed Charles A. Peters, Buildings Manager, Public Buildings Administration, Federal Works Agency:

There has been allotted to the Office of National Capital Parks funds "to reconstruct and replace portions of the fire detection system" in the Lee Mansion, Arlington National Cemetery. The Lee Mansion and the $1,200.00 appropriation for this project were transferred by your office to the jurisdiction of this office on June 30.

In order to carry out this work, it is respectfully requested that you agree to furnish the services of your staff to prepare plans and specifications and advertise for bids for this work.

If you are agreeable to doing this work, your office will be reimbursed for the actual cost involved as a charge against appropriation 1401000.821, National Park Service, 1940. [122]

J. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1940

1. Reconditioning of the Mansion Fire Alarm System

Reconditioning of the automatic fire system in the Lee Mansion was accomplished by contract in 1940 (Contract I-28P-35, Drawing 2.3-52). [123]

2. Mansion Roof Requires Repair

On May 29, 1940, George E. Clark, Chief, Construction and Repair Division, informed Randle B. Truett, Chief, Memorials Section, that he had inspected the roof of the Lee Mansion. He wrote, "As I told you yesterday, the existing roof has been damaged mainly from use by persons walking on it, apparently engaged in other work. You should, therefore, issue instructions to the Custodian that no one is to have access to the roof unless accompanied by either himself or a responsible member of his staff who will see that no damage is done to the slate." Cost of the repairs was estimated at $414. This sum included $164 for materials and $250 for two men for about 20 days labor. Some 1,500 new slates (10" x 20") had to be placed on the roof. [124]

On July 9, 1940, Acting Director Demaray informed the acting superintendent of National Capital Parks that the 1942 preliminary estimates for Lee Mansion National Memorial contained $2,600 for two projects:

An additional $2,000 was also requested for the installation of permanent flood-lighting fixtures. [125]

On September 17, 1940, J.W. Hetrick, Historical Technican, provided Superintendent Truett with a detailed statement of the damage to the slate on the roofs of the mansion wings. He wrote:

As there appears to be some thought in the minds of some of the N.C.P. officials that the present condition of the slate on the wings of the Lee Mansion is due to employees walking on the roof—particularly to gather magnolia buds—I should like to tell you a little of the history of this roof and explain why its present condition cannot possibly be attributed to our employees walking on the roof.

To begin with, the roof, according to the Superintendent of the Cemetery, is close to forty years old, and perhaps older. The greatest amount of damage was done to roofs on the wings of the house when the mansion was restored. At that time it was necessary to determine if their [sic] had been ballustrades on the roofs. Several experts were called and holes were cut in the roof. When it was learned that there had been ballustrades, they were built on the roof, and in doing this, permanent damage was done to the roof. The workmen cracked much of the slate, and when the posts were set in, leaks developed that have never been permanently mended. Every few months it starts leaking around the posts and we have to go out and cement it.

Another reason for the cracking of the slate is that every three or four years when the house has been painted, scaffolds have been built on the roof. Very little care was apparently taken. Sand bags were never used.

A few years ago while Cemetery workmen were blasting stumps some rather heavy pieces were blown upon the roof of the North wing.

Up until this summer we did go out on the roofs to cut Magnolias. Only one person ever did this — Dave Spencer — and he has been doing it since the Mansion was restored. He cut Magnolias for Col. Mortimer and the Cemetery officials before the Mansion was turned over to the Park Service. Before this the Cemetery gardener cut them. Dave always was very careful of the roof.

A point to note is that the roof leaks as badly other places as it does where Dave Spencer went out on it. In fact, the worst leak has always been on the West side of the South wing where there are no Magnolias, or trees of any kind. The patch of plaster which fell recently in the State Dining Room was a result of this leak, although the roof at the time was not leaking. [126]

No other major work was accomplished on the mansion, other than reconditioning the automatic fire system for approximately $1,200 in 1940.

K. IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE IN 1941

On May 15, 1941, Colonel Mortimer wrote to Irving C. Root, Superintendent, National Capital Parks:

Several months ago, I went over the matter of putting in fire protection stand pipes and hose connection on each floor to protect the building against possible fire. I was of opinion at the time that the Park Service were about ready to make a suitable installation which I had mapped out. As far as I can observe, nothing has been accomplished to provide this protection.

I am now writing with a view to expedite the installation above referred to. Water will be sufficient in case of a small fire, provided pipe lines are equipped with hose connection on each floor. [127]

Responding on June 3, Superintendent Root informed Colonel Mortimer:

You are advised that we have ordered material to install four stand pipes for fire protection in the Arlington Mansion, and installation will be made as soon as the material is received.

A request is made at this time to make a 2-inch tap off the existing (National Cemetery) 6-inch main located approximately 100 feet from the Mansion. . . . [128]

Colonel Mortimer granted the desired permission on June 6, 1941, but noted,

"However, our maps and records show this main to be a 4-inch, instead of six-inch. It is believed that sufficient pressure will be available, notwithstanding." [129] The estimated cost of this work was $344.60. [130]

1. Improved Water Supply System for Fire Protection

On September 26, 1941, Superintendent Root wrote to Colonel Mortimer seeking his cooperation in improving the water supply system to increase the fire protection at the Lee Mansion. Root wrote:

It has come to our attention that you are reinforcing the water supply system in the Arlington National Cemetery, and have run a new 8" C.I. main from Fort Myer to your Administration Building, and also at present are connecting on to the existing 4" main to supply the area around the Lee Mansion.

We all have been cognizant of the fact that the water supply around Lee Mansion is inadequate for fire protection, and it is suggested that we enlarge the supply on a cooperative basis. It is therefore proposed that an 8" main be run from the front of the Administration Building to the fire hydrant south of Lee Mansion, a distance of approximately 575 feet, and a 6" main be run to replace the existing 4" main to the fire hydrant on the west side of Lee Mansion, a distance of approximately 200 feet.

As you have the 8" pipe on hand it is suggested that you supply the 8" pipe and this Office will supply the 6" pipe and pay for the installation of both lines. As your men are now laying pipe, it is agreeable that your forces lay all the pipe and we will reimburse you for the labor.

We believe that this arrangement is mutually beneficial and will serve as a nucleus for further extensions of water mains in the Cemetery.

If you give your approval to the above procedures, we will order the 6" pipe immediately so that it can be installed along with the 8" main. [131]

Colonel Mortimer, Officer in Charge of Arlington National Cemetery, agreed to Root's proposal on October 2, writing:

1. Reference is made to your letter of September 26th, (received September 30th), regarding new 8" cast iron water lines which I have installed in this Cemetery and connected with the new 8" main at the Fort Myer Gate.

2. I have not connected on to the existing 4" main in the immediate vicinity of the Lee Mansion. There is no question but what the fire protection at the Mansion is not as adequate as it should be, although 4" lines exist, and pressure is derived from two directions.

3. I am glad to cooperate with you in the installation of an 8" main (connecting with our 8" main) to the vicinity of the Arlington Mansion, and to install 6" connections therefrom to the fire plugs south and west of the Mansion.

4. We have 8" pipe and some 8" fittings on hand, and I started the work of digging trenches for this installation yesterday. I, therefore, suggest that you purchase and deliver here fittings, (4", 6" and 8") as shown by the attached sheet. We to lay the pipe and your office to reimburse us for the cost of labor and other necessary material, such as oakum and lead. We will install the 8" pipe and such fittings as we have, without cost for that material. [132]

Accordingly, on October 6, Acting Superintendent F. F. Gillen ordered the necessary valves and parts from the D.C. Water Department. [133]

Acting Superintendent Gillen gave NPS confirmation to the agreement on October 7 and also informed Colonel Mortimer that the necessary parts had been ordered. [134]

On October 15 Colonel Mortimer informed the National Park Service that the War Department had completed its construction of the new 8-inch water line, but had been unable to complete work on the 4- and 6-inch lines because the Park Service had not yet delivered the necessary materials. The colonel described the situation:

Reference is made to my letter of October 2 and to yours of October 7—subject matter, installation of the new water pipe line connecting with fire plugs at the Arlington Mansion.

I have extended, up to the present time, the 8" line to, and partially across, the road leading to the Mansion. I find that the pipe for the 4" and 6" lines have not been received, although the fittings have.

I, therefore, contemplate running the 8" line to a point adjacent to the old 4" line and installing cross to connect with that line. This will give an additional supply of water now.

I contemplate installing a 4" valve in the old line at this time south of the connecting tee of the plug on Sherman Avenue. This will make that plug available for use while the cross is being cut in, and will leave the 4" connection to fire plug available.

The only time the Mansion will be without water will be that period when this valve is being installed — two or three hours.

If you desire to continue the completion of this project when your pipe arrives, I have no objection to your doing it and will furnish you with our plan. [135]

On November 1, 1941, Colonel Mortimer informed Acting Superintendent Gillen:

As you know, the work has been completed so far as this office is to take it.

It is, therefore, desired to turn over to you the valves and fittings which were not used.

If and when your office extends the line with 6" and 8" pipe to the fire hydrants, it is requested that valves be used which correspond to others at this station, i.e. to open to left and close to right and to have 2" square operating nuts. [136]

It appears that the National Park Service was unable to hook the mansion up with the new 8-inch water line and the 4- and 6-inch pipes as had been proposed in 1941. [137]

2. Historic American Building Survey Drawings (HABS) of Arlington House

The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) completed measured drawings of Arlington House during 1941 and, on December 10, Chief of Planning Vint transmitted the vandyke negatives of HABS Survey VA-443 (18 sheets), Arlington House, Arlington County, Virginia, to the Superintendent of National Capital Parks (Drawing 2.3-66). [138]

L. SUMMARY OF IMPROVEMENTS TO ARLINGTON HOUSE, 1933-1941

Under the Public Works Program, $12,470 was provided for restoration work on Arlington House and grounds in Federal Project 374 on October 2, 1933. Of this total $9,170 was earmarked for work on the mansion and $3,330 for ground projects. From October 1933 to June 30, 1938, a total of $12,304.91 was expended under Federal Project 374. In addition, the National Park Service made available approximately $6,900 from its appropriations for the following three projects: the heating plant, 1938—$3,000; painting the mansion, 1939—$2,700; and revising the fire detection system in the mansion, 1940—$1,200. Total money spent for restoration, repair, and improvement at Arlington House totaled approximately $19,370 during the period 1933 to 1941.

a. Painting the Mansion, Non-Historic Colors Utilized Inside and Out

(1) Exterior Painting

The exterior of the mansion was painted two coats by the War Department in 1929.

Exterior painted two coats in 1934 at a cost of $1,080, including interior, under contract by Clarence W. Gosnell, Inc., of Washington, D.C.

Wooden steps of portico on east or front elevation painted in 1936.

Exterior painted two coats in 1939 at a cost, including interior, of approximately $2,700

(2) Interior Painting

1929-30—Interior of mansion painted two coats by War Department

1934—Interior of mansion painted two coats by contractor Clarence W. Gosnell, Inc., of Washington. D.C.

1939—Interior painted two coats

(3) Murals in First Floor Hall (Room 111)

Retouched in 1937 by the NPS Museum Division. Cost of work $51.11.

b. Repair and Alteration of Electrical System

1929—The War Department rewired the mansion at a cost of $1,500, and an additional $1,000 was spent to lay better electrical lines from Fort Myer to the mansion.

1934—Minor repairs made and some electrical circuits altered.

April 17, 1934—Inspection and report describing system.

April 8, 1934—First electrical meter installed at mansion.

May 1937—Inspection of wiring system.

c. Fire Detection or Alarm System

1929-30—War Department expended $1,842.70 to install an automatic fire alarm system in the basement, first, second, and attic floors of mansion, also in three outbuildings, Atmo alarm system.

April 17, 1934—Inspection and description of existing system.

1940 — Some $1,200 spent under Contract I-28P-35 to reconstruct and repair existing fire alarm system.

d. Rebuilding Conservatory (Room 116) Roof

1929—The War Department rebuilt the glass roof of the Conservatory.

1934—Minor repairs

1935—Roof constructed at a cost of $2,290 using aluminum painted to look like wood under contract with Redmond Concrete Co., Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

e. Brick Floors Laid in Basement

1934—About 2,000 old bricks were used to pave the earthern floors in basement rooms cellar stairway hall, winter kitchen, and wine cellar. A lack of old brick prevented five additional rooms from having their earthern floors paved with brick as had been planned.

f. Water Supply for Fire Protection

The existing (1933) water mains, 4-inch cast iron pipes and fire hydrants had been installed by the War Department in 1907 at a cost of $1,880.

April 17, 1934—Inspection report and description of existing water supply system for fire protection purposes.

1940—Project proposed at estimated cost of $2,000 to install 1-1/2-inch standpipe and hose connections on each floor of mansion.

1941—Four standpipes ordered at estimated cost of $344.60.

Six-inch water pipe was to be installed and 4-inch water pipe to be linked to Arlington National Cemetery system. These plans were not executed in 1941 because parts and pipes did not arrive in time.

g. Steps of East or Front Portico

1929—War Department repaired and painted the existing wooden steps.

1935—After great debate with the War Department over whether to rebuild the steps of stone or wood, the east portico steps were reconstructed in an historically accurate manner of wood and sandstone so as to resemble their 1861 appearance. The work was performed under contract by J. George Bensel of Baltimore, Maryland, cost $1,690.

1936—east portico steps painted

h. Interior Stairs

1929-30—War Department spent $600 to repair the interior stairs.

(1) Stairs in Room 113
September 1935—Stairs inspected for safety.

(2) Stairs in Room 110
September 1935—Stairs inspected for safety.

(3) Steps from Room 114 to Room 116
1935—Steps repaired

i. Room Guards

1929-30—The War Department installed metal guard rails and screens at all doors of rooms open for viewing to visitors. These were modeled after the guard rails used at Mount Vernon. Total cost of $796.

1936—Approximately $170 was spent to improve and heighten the room guards.

j. Heating System

1929-30—The War Department spent $12,000 to erect an outside boiler house, guard room, and public comfort station. An additional $4,500 was spent to install a new concealed heating system of pipe in the mansion. Grills and hidden radiators served the new hot water heating system.

1935—Approximately $3,115 was expended under contract with Teunis F. Collier to reconstruct and repair the existing heating system.

k. Mansion Roof

1929—The War Department repaired the existing slate roofs of the mansion and two wings. These dated from 1908.

June 1934—Some new slates replaced on the roof.

October 1936—Several small leaks in roof repaired.

1940—Estimate prepared to replace about 1,500 new 10-inch by 20-inch slates on mansion roof at cost of $500.

l. Gutters and Downspouts

1928—War Department installed new copper gutters and downspouts and 6-inch tile drains were laid to carry off the water from the downspouts.

1934—Repairs made to gutters and downspouts.

m. Exterior Stucco

1928—War Department pointed and repaired exterior stucco.

March-April 1934—minor repairs made to stucco.

1939—stucco repaired

n. Interior Walls and Ceilings

1929—War Department spent approximately $1,600 to repair plaster walls, ceilings, and cornice throughout the mansion.

March-April 1934—repairs made to walls and ceilings, minor.

o. Interior Woodwork and Hardware

1929-30—the War Department spent $1,600 to reconstruct "Colonial Period" hardware throughout the mansion. Only two of the original door locks, located on the east and west entrances of Room 111, were found to be still in place. A third original door lock was returned to the mansion and restored to its original location on the hall door on the north side of Room 111 and opening into Room 109. The War Department also repaired or duplicated the existing interior mill work.

March-April 1934—Minor repairs were made to woodwork and hardware.

REPAIR AND RESTORATION WORK TO ARLINGTON HOUSE, 1933-41