ARLINGTON HOUSE Historic Structures Report Supplementary Material

From Park "Restoration and Repair" File Drawer

Mr. Tucker Hill
Executive Director, Virignia
Historic Landmarks Commission
221 Governor Street
Ricmond, Virginia 23219

Dear Mr. Hill:

The National Park Service proposes to correct a number of significant structural problems at Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial, a unit of the National Park System listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The structural history of Arlington House, a statement of existing structural conditions, our proposals to correct the principal problems, and an assessment of the effects of the proposed work are included in the accompanying Historic Structures Report, which also contains relevant photographs and drawings. Our plans, based on this report's recommendations, may be summarized as follows:

Basement: Following insect control treatment, a temporary felt vapor barrier will be laid over the dirt floor and ventilation provided to control the moisture problem. No permanent flooring will be added without further study and analysis to insure that it would not aggravate the problem. Basement archeology would precede any eventual permanent flooring. Fire dampers, stops, and doors will be installed for fire protection. Exposed heating pipes in areas visible to the public will be concealed.

First Floor Framing System: This will be carefully strengthened to support established visitor leads. This store room closet added by the War Department will be documented and removed.

Roofs: An internal beam and post system will be added to the north wing and loggia roofs to reinforce the weak existing structural system. Later measures will be taken to strengthen the south wing roof.

First Floor Center Hall Arches: These highly visible arches, now proposed up by temporary posts, will be reinforced by thin steel plates concealed beneath the plaster. The damaged fesco by G.W.P. Custis over one arch will be preserved and restored.

South Hall Servants' Stairway: Concealed steel reinforcement will be provided along the center stringer to strengthen this stairway.

The proposed work, which will be conducted overtime as funds become available, will involve no replacement of historic fabric. New structural members will be installed alongside the old. Virtually all structural additions will be concealed from public view. Most of the few visible changes, such as the concealment of the heating pipe relocation, all work is essential for preservation of the building.

In accordance with 36 CFR Part 800, we ask your concurrence in our determination that the proposed work will have not adverse effect on the characteristics that quality Arlington House for the National Register. Should you have any questions or comments, please call Paul Goeldner or Barry Mackintosh of this office on (202) 426-6660.

Sincerely yours,

(Sgd.) Manus J. Fish, Jr.
Regional Director, National Capital Region