Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1411
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
Construction was started February 2, 1932
Construction was completed July 6, 1932
| HOUSE: | Paradise Kitchen | RECORD BY WHOM: | S. P. Moorehead |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOCATION: | Block 18, Building 7A | DATE OF RECORD: | |
| DATE OF TYPING: |
The original kitchen was wrecked at the time of the College renovations. These occurred a few years ago when the College of William and Mary acquired the property and renovated it along colonial lines. See General Notes for Paradise House. The overall dimensions of the kitchen were noted, and the building was built new of near material at the East side of the lot for a garage. But the men who worked on the job stated the mass of the new garage to be a close reproduction of that of the old kitchen. They further stated that the chimney was down except for the very base--and the brick from it were raised for the brick entrance flight of steps at the street side of the main house. They also wrecked most of the foundation walls--but the east line of these remained--and the restored kitchen was erected here according to the former position as pointed out by them. The site was further born out by convergence of brick paths and paving and the indication of the latter towards a possible door in the building.
It was decided by Restoration authorities to make the kitchen an exhibition or museum building on first floor and exterior and to provide living quarters for a watchman on second floor. The exterior was therefore constructed of antique material where possible-shingles, window sash, frame, trim, door frame and trim, cornice, dormer, were of new material to detail, because of difficulty of reusing these members new of old material — and the 2 use of antique material in exhibition work where possible was considered appropriate to convey the character of age-especially in outbuildings.
The sources of antique material will be stated in the following notes wherever possible. The fact that a given amount of antique material supplies only a small percent of its whole, built in on the finished job, causes the need for filling out with. a few pieces from other sources. These small lots were culled from the antique warehouse, their identity being necessarily lost. For brevity, such lots are referred to as from miscellaneous sources. This does not alter the fact that the material was authentic colonial and eighteenth century. In other words, small lots lose their identity when being moved about, built in, and reworked on job by workmen-chalk marks and labels disappear. The material wrought to architect's detail was so made by modern milling methods. To do so by hand was so costly as to be prohibitive.
The design of the kitchen is a repetition of a known mass and size as well as detailing typical of mid-eighteenth century work of the colonial period in the vicinity. Precedence for the various parts will be given in the following notes.
FLASHING: See Specifications. No exposed flashing is visible. All of it consists of heavy lead coated copper-used because of its value in keeping out weather. Colonial flashing was very simple and generally not employed on small frame structures such as this. Unexposed flashing consists of heavy copper on this building.
EXTERIOR PAINT: All exterior surfaces except as later noted and except those made new of new material are whitewashed. Those portions made new are painted to match the whitewash. The exterior door is painted sample #262 on outside. The designation of paint colors is by sample-referring to record sample filed in architect's offices. Such colors are authentic reproductions of extant colonial examples within vicinity.
SHINGLES: Are Mohawk Asbestos Shingles, Williamsburg Type. Made especially for the Williamsburg project-and to imitate as closely as possible aged wood shingles-being fireproof at the same time. They are of composition material because of zoning fire laws of the city which preclude the use of wood shingles. Shingles laid on roofing felt, which covers sheathing of common pine. Cabot's quilt insulation was inserted between rafters and sheathing. All modern building methods-and used because not visible on any exposed surfaces.
DORMER WINDOWS: A type commonly found in this vicinity as at 1. Casey's Gift, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2. Outbuildings at Claremont, Surry County, Virginia, 3. Houses near Croker, James City County, Virginia. Sash new of white pine to detail adapted from above sources. Frame of heart yellow pine-mortised, tenoned, pegged. Trim of Heart Gulf Cypress new to detail. Rakes made to detail from old flooring-miscellaneous sources. Sheathing made of antique material from miscellaneous sources arranged to detail. Flooring as for main house. Concealed copper flashing at points where necessary-sill, eaves, ridge, joints with roof. Cornice mold of heart Gulf Cypress to detail of new material. See above precedent.
CORNICE: Of new material to detail-material is cypress. Detail adapted from colonial precedent in outbuildings at 1. Tuckahoe, Goochland County, Virginia.. The framing of the cornice follows modern carpentry technique-since it is all hidden. No attempt being made towards colonial joinery technique. See General notes.
GUTTER AND LEADER: None at eaves. A brick drip was provided at grade with bricks laid flat to break spatter of drip from eaves along west 4 wall, since the brick paving along east wall covers this need. Material used is James River Colonial-Bruton size-by E. T. Mankin-Richmond, Virginia-new brick to simulate colonial. Bricks are laid on 2" mortar bed. A brick spatter or drip was common usage in eighteenth century in this vicinity to prevent washing of earth on a line with eaves.
WALL SURFACE: Of Colonial beaded weatherboards partly from Clapton House, Charles City County, Virginia and Col. George Dillard House, Sussex County, Virginia. Some had new beads run to match existing beads. W. B.'s are laid on Cabot's Quilt insulation-between them and studs. Relation between bottom of lowest W. B. and line of first floor being carefully maintained as in previously mentioned precedent.
PORCH: None. A stone fragment serves as door step. This is an eighteenth century piece found on site of Virginia Gazette, east of Paradise House, and is English oolitic limestone. Probably imported.
FRONT DOOR: Frame and trim new of heart yellow pine to detail-which has precedent at 1. House at Goochland Court House, Virginia, 2. House at Corker, James City County, Virginia. Door itself of old material from miscellaneous sources reworked to detail-precedent for it at 1. outbuildings at Marmion, King George County. Virginia, 2. old stable at Mt. Sterling, Charles City County, Virginia, 3. outbuildings at Greenway, Charles City County, Virginia. It consists of beaded vertical sheathing in random width boards held by three molded battens on inside face. Hand wrought nails are in five spot pattern clinched on batten side.
WINDOWS: The windows are entirely new material worked to detail. Precedent for long, narrow openings in small frame buildings: 1. Colonial 5 house corner Boundary and Prince George Streets, Williamsburg., Virginia., 2. houses near Croker, James City County, Virginia, 3. Tuckahoe outhouses Goochland County, Virginia. The sash is of white pine to detail from above precedent. Glass is of cheap quality to simulate bubbly eighteenth century glass. Frame is of heart yellow pine to detail from above precedent and is fully morticed, tenoned and pegged in colonial method. Trim of same wood. Sill is beaded to continue bead of weatherboards-as at McCandlish House, Williamsburg. Bock hand or trim as at Mt. Vernon and Tetington, Charles City County, Virginia. Use of bock hand precludes use of outside shutters; wood throw-bolts provided as rest for bottom sash. Upper sash fixed in usual colonial manner. A small wrought iron peg hung on rawhide string attached on jambs of interiors to fit hole in upper sash at meeting rail to lock window. No precedent for this but forms an attempt at colonial character in a small necessity.
SHUTTERS: None. See Windows.
BASEMENT WALL: Made of old material from Clapton House, Charles City County, Virginia on exposed surfaces. Hidden portions of common brick. Bond is English-this being evidenced by fragments of original foundation wall. Jointing and painting adapted from that of original work at Paradise House. Mortar simulates eighteenth century oyster shell kind on exposed surfaces. The oyster shells or mail and sand being local and from same sources as used by masons in this locality in eighteenth century.
CHIMNEYS: None.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS: Corner boards made to detail of old flooring from below sources. The detail is typical for colonial frame buildings in Williamsburg, as at Tucker House, Garrett House, 6 etc., etc.. For barge boards and cornice stops see North and South Elevations. Sources are Clapton House and Hubbard House, Charles City County, Virginia.
GENERAL NOTES: Not enough detailed information was available from those who wrecked the original kitchen to place the fenestration and door, but dormers were recalled. The paving indicated a central door however, and a window was placed on either side in a symmetrical composition. The mass of this elevation follows that of the kitchen by way of the present garage which is said to be a copy of it.
BASEMENT WALL (CONT'D): At several points, headers omitted to allow venting to space below floor-but for protection against rats are screened. This method for venting partially excavated portions is common local practice in colonial outbuildings. Mail was burned before mixing into mortar.
SHINGLES: None.
DORMER WINDOWS: None.
CORNICE: None.
GUTTER AND LEADER: None.
WALL SURFACE: Same as East Elevation.
PORCH: None.
FRONT DOOR: None.
WINDOWS: A small eight light window at second floor. Construction of frame and trim same as for East Elevation. Sash same as for dormers, East Elevation. Small gable windows like this are a common colonial feature as at 1. Mercer Shop, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 2. House at Dumfries, Virginia.
SHUTTERS: None.
BASEMENT WALL: See East Elevation.
CHIMNEYS: None.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS: Beaded and tapered barge boards to detail from antique flooring from Clapton House, Charles City County; Hubbard House, Charles City County. Detail is typical for such members as Galt Cottage, Casey's Gift, Williamsburg, Virginia; outbuildings at Greenway, Charles City County, Virginia. The method of terminating cornice with a stop board is not used, but the weatherboards terminate soffit and facia while the rake covers the cyma and the bed returns on self at its side of the corner board. This method has precedent at the Barlow House, Williamsburg, Virginia; Tetington, Charles City County, 3. eighteenth century outbuilding at Hampstead, New Kent County, Virginia.
GENERAL NOTES: See East Elevation.
SHINGLES: See East Elevation.
DORMER WINDOWS: Ditto.
CORNICE: Ditto.
GUTTER AND LEADER: See East Elevation.
WALL SURFACE: Ditto.
PORCH: None.
FRONT DOOR: None.
WINDOWS: See East Elevation.
SHUTTERS: None.
BASEMENT WALL: See East Elevation.
CHIMNEYS: None.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS: See East Elevation.
GENERAL NOTES: Same as for East Elevation, except no door.
SHINGLES: Shingles on shed at chimney same as for east elevation. Otherwise none.
DORMER WINDOWS: None.
CORNICE: No main cornice. Cornice of shed next chimney consists only of cyma mold same as for main cornice. Precedent for such shed treatment 1. Greenway, Charles City County, Virginia, 2. House at Ayletts, Virginia, 3. House near Barhamsville, New Kent County, Virginia. The use of this type of small shed has precedent as for (2) and (3). The cyma was run new of gulf cypress to detail. See East Elevation for precedent.
GUTTER AND LEADER: None.
WALL SURFACE: Same as for East Elevation. Ditto. for shed.
PORCH: None. For shed, see under cornice, this page.
FRONT DOOR: None.
WINDOWS: None.
SHUTTERS: None.
BASEMENT WALL: Same as for East Elevation.
CHIMNEYS: Exact design of original unknown-yet so much brick was removed from its base when kitchen eras wrecked by college workman it was assumed to have been large-and local kitchen chimneys were large customarily. Although its design follows no one model closely, it is an adaptation of harmonizing features of several eighteenth century models. 1. Tucker House Kitchen, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2. House at New Kent Court House, 3. Montague House, Williamsburg, Virginia. It was built of antique brick from Clapton House, Charles City County. Virginia. Laid in Flemish bond throughout, as in 10 precedent (1). Shoulders, details, cap, etc. appear as in all the above precedent. Only exposed surfaces of antique brick-inside brick are common manufacture. For mortar see Basement Wall-East Elevation.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS: Rake on shed as for those on kitchen. See North Elevation.
GENERAL NOTES:
In general the first floor and stair have been considered as exhibition portions, the second floor being designed to house a caretaker. Thus all portions exposed on first floor, where possible, are built of antique material, the sources of which will be enumerated in the following notes.
The design of the interior on the first floor follows known mid-eighteenth century precedent, utilizing the general character and details which seemed harmonious from the following colonial examples. 1. Marmion Kitchen and stair, 2. Mt. Vernon Kitchen, 3. Tuckahoe Kitchen.
Paint colors are referred to by sample numbers. The second samples of all paints used are preserved in files of architect's offices. They are based on known eighteenth century colors collected from extant buildings in this locality.
HARDWARE: In following notes reference is made to original, colonial hardware as having been procured from the "trade". This means local antique dealers, second hand or junk dealers, or natives possessing such hardware and who are willing to dispose of it by sale-but meaning also that the pieces have lost their actual geographic identity.
FLOOR: Consists of antique flooring from following Colonial Houses: 1. Clapton House, Charles City County, 2. Hubbard House, Charles City County; selected pieces were used and laid in colonial manner.
FLOOR NAILS: Stock modern cut nails with heads hand hammered by local craftsman to simulate hand wrought, colonial nails.
BEAMS: Beams supporting first floor are modern 2 x 10's of pine in modern carpentry technique. Due to extreme cost of framing this unexposed portion in colonial methods, the modern usage was followed.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Framing of walls (exterior) with common pine 2 x 4 studs in modern carpenter technique-since such framing is hidden from the eye and to provide colonial joinery here would be excessively costly. All portions of wall surfaces not sheathed (see below) are plastered on metal lath undercoats being done by modern methods-the skim coat being brought to an antique finish by use of small trowels and rough texture. Their finish simulates, closely, customary eighteenth century, local methods.
All of south wall is sheathed to ceiling except on brick of chimney breast. It is similar to the sheathing of west wall wainscoting. Such a treatment follows that at Marmion kitchen.
CEILING: Second floor beams and board floor remain exposed. See Second Floor, under beams.
BASEBOARD: Actual colonial base-beaded-inserted about this room. It was pieced out with members from miscellaneous sources. See further notes on page 1. It occurs only under plaster-those portions of wall sheathed up and wainscoted form their own base.
13CHAIR RAIL: None.
CORNICE: None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: On west wall is a high wainscot of horizontal, random width beaded boarding-culled from miscellaneous sources. The top board and little mold are original colonial molded members from Jones Farm-James City County. The bead was applied by hand with a sharp instrument used to act as running template. The joints are T. and G.-simply for tightness and to keep out draughts-although not contradictory to colonial technique.
MANTEL: None. But fireplace opening has large wood beam as lintel, which extends across whole chimney breast. It is a colonial wood piece, culled from miscellaneous sources. Precedent for this treatment at 1. Carter's Grove, 2. Marmion Kitchen, 3. Westover Kitchen, 4. Tuckahow Kitchen, 5. Mt. Vernon Kitchen.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: These follow the above precedent-but particularly the known precedent of the Tucker House Kitchen-especially for the oven and its treatment. The doors from room to oven and fireplace to oven were omitted to be made at future date.
Brick for the above from the Clapton House, Charles City County, and is authentic eighteenth century handmade material. It is laid in oyster shell mortar-see notes on brickwork, etc.. Basement wall. Only the exposed surfaces are of ancient brick-hidden portions being built up of common brick of modern manufacture. The breast and fireplace are in the Flemish Bond-the joint being a flush one. The hearth is laid in a typical pattern with a crowned, heavy joint, as at Marmion. The breast was laid in Flemish because 14 of dating-mid-eighteenth century use of English Bond on this being a local anachronism.
In order to provide modern practical throat, a stock cast iron damper was inserted-as well as a sheet iron slope continuing the front slope of damper to the base of wood fireplace header. This was coated with asbestos insulation on its rim face to protect the wood member. Although this fireplace was considered as an exhibition one, and therefore to follow colonial precedent closely, the impracticality of a huge vent open to rain and weather was considered sufficient excuse for making the throat in the modern way. Also these features are hidden from the eye.
WINDOWS (SASH TRIM AND FRAME AND METAL WORK): See under Windows, page 4. Sash trim and frame of new material to detail. Interior trim arrangement has precedent 1. Mt. Vernon Kitchen, 2. Casey's Gift.
CLOSETS: By fireplace-has precedent at Marmion. See notes on South Elevation. Has flooring, wood base, and plaster walls as in main room. West wall consists of brickwork of chimney. Possible shelving left to future date.
DOOR AND TRIM: Door #1, see notes on page 4 under Front Door, for precedent. Interior trim of new material to detail after above precedent. Door #2 to closet of antique material. Precedent same as for Door #1. Door #3 under stair original, colonial, and from miscellaneous source. Trim for these doors follows precedent at 1. Marmion Kitchen, 2. Greenway "office". All doors are batten doors of lapped jointed sheathing. Batten nails are arranged in five spot patterns and clinched on batten side.
15METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): Door #1-original, colonial H and L hinges and wood rim lock procured from the "trade". Door #2 - antique, colonial H and L hinges procured from dealers in vicinity-wood bolt made of old material copied after an original colonial model bought in the local trade. Door #3-has original wood hinges. Wood lock same as for door #1.
COLOR: Door #1-trim natural; window trim natural stain; plaster walls, sample #259. All other woodwork natural. Sheathing and doors and flooring are waxed and rubbed down. Ceiling joists and under side of floor left as were.
EQUIPMENT: A trap door is provided in closet under stair to allow access to plumbing etc. in space under floor beams. In this closet also, on north wall is meter, service switch. At jamb of door #1 is switch to operate single outlet in ceiling as well as switch at foot of stair. Another at this point operates a circuit to second floor. The switches are flush with plaster and painted in with it-the tumblers thus being only noticeable parts. This equipment provided only as a necessity-and is made as inconspicuous as possible. The ceiling outlet was omitted until such time as building to be used and inhabited by caretaker.
GENERAL NOTES: Closet under stair: wood floor and base same as in main room-walls plastered as in main room. At the moment-the electrical equipment is not connected to operate.
BEAMS (CONT'D): The sill section is not like a colonial one-but the usual colonial relation between bottom of bottom weatherboard and finish first floor is maintained.
STAIR: (NOTE: This sheet to be pinned or clipped to record sheet of room the stairs are in.)
RISERS AND TREADS: Original, colonial risers and treads from Clapton House, Charles City County. Slightly reworked and repaired.
NEWELL POST AND HANDRAIL: None. The entrance to the stair is simply trimmed with deaped pieces to take plaster and receive the sheathed enclosure of the stair-as at 1. Marmion, 2. Claremont quarters, 3. stair in George Semple House, east wing, before alterations by Restoration. Beaded trim pieces for opening to stair were cut down from some colonial beaded floor joists from the Hubbard House, Charles City County, Virginia.
BALUSTERS: None. Stair is enclosed-as at Marmion and Claremont quarters. This is the typical method of handling a stair in outbuildings of frame in the locality in colonial times.
STRINGER, STRING BOARD AND STRING BOARD ORNAMENT: Stringer is hidden. No string board ornament since stairs are enclosed. On sheathed side no string board, but on north wall is one made up from antique material culled from miscellaneous sources. It repeats the bead of the first floor, colonial base and carried ti to the second floor. Ditto for inside face of south stair wall.
CLOSED OR OPEN STRING: Stair is enclosed-so this item does not apply.
LANDING, IF ANY (FLOOR, WINDOWS OR OPENINGS ON, IF ANY, POSTS, HAND RAIL AND BALUSTERS, "GALLERY BOARD"): No landings on the run of the stair. There is a closet under which was a necessity in order to conceal certain electrical equipment. The stair wall is plastered-same as on first floor. In ceiling near top of stair is an electric outlet with simple pan fixture operated by switch from head and foot upstairs. Near head of stair on south wall is a small 17 access door. This was a necessity in order to provide entrance to bath tub fixtures of the adjacent bath room. It was made up after like details in 1. Wigwam, Amelia County, Virginia, 2. McCandlish House, 3. Galt Cottage, all being cup'd doors under or into cheeks of dormer window. The detail of first floor doors and battens was followed. Two H hinges by local craftsman after colonial models-a pull and a button catch of wood (colonial) comprise the hardware.
Stairs are finished natural-plaster walls being painted as on first floor.
FLOOR: Of antique material from Clapton and Hubbard Houses, Charles City County. Old material used here because it is exposed on first floor which is "exhibition".
FLOOR NAILS: See First Floor.
BEAMS: Original colonial members from Clapton and Hubbard Houses, Charles City County.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Plaster on metal lath. For further remarks regarding plaster, see notes pages 13-15.
CEILING: Ditto.
BASEBOARD: Made new of southern yellow pine copied after original colonial base in first floor.
CHAIR RAIL: None.
CORNICE: None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None.
MANTEL: None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: Made of antique brick as for first floor fireplace. Fireplace and hearth are small as typical for second floor of small, colonial, frame houses with outside chimney. This is nearly always invariable. The material from same sources as for first floor fireplace and hearth. Precedent at Casey's Gift.
WINDOWS (SASH TRIM AND FRAME AND METAL WORK): See East Elevation for dormers. Both sash moveable by use of sash balances and bronze parting strip-all painted in with frame. These features are a concession to modern convenience.
19CLOSETS: None.
DOOR AND TRIM: North door #4, same as closet door #2, first floor; bathroom door #5, ditto.
METAL WORKON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): Door #4, .original colonial H and L hinges bought from local antique dealers. Lock on bedroom side-this door being demarcation between exhibition and non-exhibition portions of building-the lock is an iron rim lock with brass knobs and iron key of modern manufacture along known colonial lines. Door #5 has H and L hinges made new by local craftsman by handwork after originals used elsewhere in building. Lock as for door #4.
COLOR: Base painted black. Other finish samples #260. Walls and ceiling painted white to simulate whitewash. All paint flat finish. Floors natural, waxed and rubbed down.
EQUIPMENT: Electrical consists of two base plugs and switch operating ceiling fixture. All these are inserted purely as convenience and as inconspicuously as possible. See equipment note, first floor.
GENERAL NOTES: This room is not strictly typically colonial in character due to the jog into it of the bathroom-a feature necessitated by future use of the second floor for caretaker's quarters. All the finish and various details are authentically colonial after eighteenth century known precedent in the vicinity.
Near bathroom is provided scuttle to attic-simply constructed with beaded frame to stop plaster and sheathed, batten door. Precedent for this adapted from sources as for access door in stair well. It is made up of new material and painted in with ceiling.
FLOOR: Same as for Bedroom except secondary floor, raised, was built above it to provide a hidden space for the concealment of supply and waste pipes of the bathroom fixtures. This added floor of tongue and grooved southern yellow pine with linoleum fixed to it as finished surface.
FLOOR NAILS: Sub floor nails, same as for Bedroom.
BEAMS: Sub floor beams, same as for Bedroom.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Same as for Bedroom.
CEILING: Ditto.
BASEBOARD: Ditto.
CHAIR RAIL: None.
CORNICE: None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None.
MANTEL: None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: None.
WINDOWS (SASH TRIM AND FRAME AND METAL WORK): See East Elevation.
CLOSETS: None.
DOOR AND TRIM: See Bed Room.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): Ditto.
COLOR: Woodwork painted, sample #261, glossy. Plaster walls and ceiling painted sample #261, glossy. Base painted black.
EQUIPMENT: Stock, standard tub, lavatory, medicine cabinet, and w.c. with base plug and wall outlet for electrical. These are modern conveniences.
GENERAL NOTES: This room dictated by necessity of modern living conditions. It causes the second floor to deport from a true colonial appearance. In that the second floor would have been one room.