ARLINGTON HOUSE Historic Structures Report Supplementary Material

During 1976 the truss between the Lee chamber (Room 207) and Lee boys' chamber (Room 206) was renovated.

Originally, the second floor joist system of the south side of the Mansion's main block framed into a beam beneath the wall separating these two rooms. The beam lacked the depth for such a span. The combined weight of the plaster wall above and one-half the total floor loads of each room caused the beam to sag. A truss was let into this wall during the War Department restoration work of the late 1920s. The badly deflecting beam was hung from this truss, and the stability of this floor system was greatly increased.

By the mid-1970s the truss was suffering from several defects. These defects included improper seating, slippage and openings along the joints, and a further deflection caused by the weight of a large chandelier placed in the White Parlor [Room 112] by the War Department around 1930.

Under the supervision of Mr. John Longworth of the Office of Professional Services, National Capital Parks, the chandelier was removed and plans were formulated for the overhauling of the truss. This renovation of the truss included the addition of webs, vertical and horizontal tension rods, blocks, and gusset plates. Hangers were added where certain room floor joists intersected the center beam.

The truss was re-enclosed into the partition wall after the renovation work was completed. All current indications point to the conclusion that the truss as repaired is in good working order and operating at its designed capacity.

Harry Lee Arnest, "Arlington House, Historic Structures Report, Architectural Data Section (Phase I)," National Park Service, National Capital Team, Denver Service Center, September 1979, pp. 35-36.