Peyton Randolph House Architectural
Report, Block 28 Building 6Originally entitled: "The Peyton Randolph House
Block 28, Building 6"
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Research Report Series - 1533
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
THE PEYTON RANDOLPH HOUSE
BLOCK 28, BUILDING 6
SUMMARY ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
| Primary restoration begun: | October, 1939 |
| Primary restoration completed: | April, 1940 |
| Further restoration and improvement begun: | June, 1967 |
| Further restoration and improvement completed: | June, 1968 |
The Summary Architectural Report is a rêsumê of information on the subject building, condensed from data filed in the Architect's Office. It is intended for use by authorized personnel within Colonial Williamsburg, and by visitors having a serious interest in colonial American architecture. It is not for public distribution.
J. F.
Waite
October 25, 1968
SUMMARY ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
THE PEYTON RANDOLPH HOUSE
(Restored)
BLOCK 28, BUILDING 6
In 1714 William Robertson purchased a square of eight lots from the Trustees of the City of Williamsburg. At the south-west corner of this square were the two lots, numbers 207 and 237, on which the restored Peyton Randolph House now stands.
In the following few years Robertson sold off two lots and two reverted to the Trustees. In 1723 he sold his remaining four (numbers 236, 237, 207, 208) to John Holloway. He had retained possession of these lots for nine years, indicating that he built on them at least the minimum houses as required by the Building Acts.
In 1724 John Randolph (later Sir John) purchased a lot (with "Tenement" thereon) from John Holloway. This lot was the first or second lot east from the corner of Nicholson Street and North England Street. It is not known how Randolph acquired the adjoining lot, but evidence indicates that he bought it from Holloway shortly before he purchased the first lot. These two lots are numbered 207 and 237. (Note: for complete information about ownership, biographical materials, etc., see the Peyton Randolph House Research Report written by Mary Stephenson in May,1952, and revised by Jane Carson in December, 1967.)
Sir John Randolph died in 1737, and his widow inherited the property for her lifetime. The date of Lady Randolph's death is not known, but was probably shortly after 1754. At her death the property was inherited by their son Peyton, who held it until his death in 1775. 2 At that time it passed to his widow, Betty, who held it until her death in 1783. After Betty Randolph's death, the house and most of the furnishings were sold.
The house had a variety of owners throughout the remainder of the 18th century, and the 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1921 the property was purchased by Mrs. Mary Proctor Wilson, and in 1927 it passed to her daughter, Mrs. Merrill Proctor Ball. Mrs. Ball owned the property until 1938 when she sold it to Colonial Williamsburg, Inc., at which time a life tenure agreement was made. The primary restoration of the house was completed in 1940, and the Balls re-occupied the entire house, including the reconstructed east portion.
In 1967 Mrs. Ball and the Restoration reached an agreement whereby Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. would complete the restoration of the center and west portions of the building, which would then be opened as an exhibition building. At the same time, the interior of the east portion of the building would be re-fitted as a living unit for Mrs. Ball. This double operation was completed in June, 1968, and the exhibition portion of the building was opened to the public on July 1, 1968.
In 1938 and 1939 the building, with its immediate surrounding property, was carefully investigated architecturally and archaeologically. From the notes, reports, drawings, etc. which came out of these investigations, working drawings were made for the restoration of the remaining center and west portions of the building, and the reconstruction of the east portion, long since destroyed. In the restoration which followed, certain unauthentic interior features were retained or built at the request of the life tenant, and certain features which would normally 3 have been reconstructed were not added at that time for the same reason. Thus, the 1967-1968 work was primarily in the nature of completion, upgrading, normal maintenance, and mechanical work. The basic changes to the exhibition portion of the building were the addition of several fireplaces not previously reconstructed, the addition of an attic stair in the original location, the removal of visible electrical switches, outlets, etc., the reworking of the heating system, and the addition of air conditioning equipment.
In the following Summary Architectural Report, the various building phases will be briefly discussed and their architectural features noted, with emphasis placed on the original pieces still in place. The exterior will be explained first, one elevation at a time. Then the plan of the building and the various rooms will be discussed. The reconstructed East Wing will not be discussed, except in a general way as it relates to the original portion of the building.
EXTERIOR
SOUTH ELEVATION
When John Randolph acquired his two lots at the corner of Nicholson Street and North England Street he evidently found two dwellings, one on each lot. On the west lot was a rather plain two story wood building, roughly 29 feet square in plan, with a low pitched hip roof (see illustration). Some 36 feet to the east was another building on the adjoining lot, a one and one half story (second floor within the roof) building with a typical high gable roof and dormers. The fronts of the two buildings were almost exactly in line.
It was probably during the senior Randolph's ownership that the center section of the house was built, for he had children to house, money to spend, and a position to uphold and enhance. His son, Peyton, who later owned the house had the money and the position, but no children, and therefore was not so likely to need the added space.
The center section of the house joins the two divergent buildings into one homogeneous unit, and shows a thoughtful approach and exact understanding of the problems involved. The final house, as now restored and reconstructed, is a fine example of additive building carefully contrived.
ROOF: The west building, as first built about 1715, had an unusual roof arrangement. The roof appeared from the ground to be a low hip roof surmounted by a flat deck. In actuality, however, what appeared to be a flat deck was a low horizontal ridge between two valleys set into the roof (see illustration). At the bottom of the valleys were log gutters running east and west, which evidently projected through the roof on the east side of the building and dumped the collected rainwater in some sort of cistern or collector. This arrangement was evidently not adequate and most likely not leak-proof, for it was abandoned shortly after the building was built, and the kipped roof extended on to a more normal ridge. The framework of the valleys, some shingles and part of the log gutters still exist within the present framework of the roof.
The roof of the center section of the building matches,
on the south side of the building, that on the west section. The center
Diagram Showing Location of Wood Gutters in Original Randolph-Peachy House Built 1714
5
section is narrower than the west section, however, and
the difference is taken up in a very steep back slope of the roof of the center
section. Thus, from the south or front, the roof of the two sections appears to
be one unit. Most of the roof framing of the building is original, reinforced as
necessary. The roof is covered with square butt cement asbestos shingles which
imitate the original wood shingles. The roof of the reconstructed east section
of the building is covered with round butt cement asbestos shingles, the
difference helping to point out the different and separate nature of the two
first buildings.
CHIMNEYS: Both of the chimneys seen on the roof of the two story building are new. The west chimney is new from the basement to the cap, and the east chimney is rebuilt from the roof up. All the chimneys are laid up in Flemish bond. The chimney cap profiles are adapted from those which are shown on an old photograph of the house.
CORNICE: The cornice around the west and center sections of the building is old, and is considered to be very probably the original. It has been patched and repaired. The cornice has modillions typical of many Williamsburg building cornices. They are spaced about 18" apart.
SIDING: The house is covered with wood weatherboards with the bottom edge beaded. The spacing of the weatherboards is about six inches to the weather. On this elevation the weatherboards are new, matching original examples from the building. The cornerboards are new, matching deteriorated originals still in place at the time of the restoration.
At the second floor line, there is a projecting wood belt course which is largely original. Its use is a stylistic adaptation of the brick 6 belt course to be found on 18th century brick buildings in Tidewater Virginia. Its incorporation here is an example of the Randolph's desire for a stylish house. The same feature, also in wood, is to be seen at Tuckahoe, a fine early Randolph House in Goochland County.
PAINT: The body of the house is painted white, and the trim, cornice, etc. is painted medium gray #42. The grey is available through Martin-Senour as Peyton Randolph Gray #W1086.
PORCHES: The stone steps of the stoop are new, of appropriate design. Their plan is derived from remaining foundations in the ground. Over the door is a new pedimented hood. There were framing marks in the wall to indicate that this had been a feature of the original house. The details of the hood are adapted from a similar original example at Tuckahoe.
DOORS: The large (3'-10" x 8'=3") walnut front door is not original, but is of size and location as indicated by the extant old framing.
WINDOWS: The windows on the south facade are all old, although not all original. The non-original windows were left in the house at the time of the restoration because of their interest and general antique character. The panelled shutters and shutter hardware are new, their detail adapted from typical 18th century Virginia examples.
FOUNDATION: The brick foundation on the south facade is basically original, patched as necessary. There is a brick gutter in the grade to carry off the rain water from the roof, as there was no evidence that the building ever had lead gutters at the roof.
WEST ELEVATION
Roof: see South Elevation.
Chimneys: see South Elevation.
Cornice: see South Elevation.
Siding: When the house was restored, all the remaining antique weatherboards were gathered together, and were re-applied to the West facade. Many of these may be identified by their weathered appearance. See South Elevation for belt course and corner boards.
Paint: see South Elevation.
Porches: The stoop on this facade is new, its location and size having been determined by archaeological investigations and indications on the brick foundation wall. The details of the stoop are derived from typical 18th century Virginia examples.
Doors: The door at the stoop is new, its size and location being determined by framing evidence. The panel details were taken from original examples at the George Reid House.
Windows: see South Elevation.
Foundation: see South Elevation.
NORTH ELEVATION
Roof: see South Elevation.
Chimneys: see South Elevation.
Cornice: With the exception of the cornice around the Porch Chamber (see below), the cornice on the north facade is definitely old, probably original. It has been patched and repaired as necessary.
Siding: see South Elevation.
Paint: see South Elevation.
8Porches: When the building was investigated in 1938, the porch chamber did not exist, but in the framing of the wall and roof and in the ground there were abundant evidences that it had been a feature of the original house. As reconstructed, its size and shape were determined by this evidence. Its details are adapted from remaining original details on the house itself, and from the few remaining porch chambers in Virginia which date from the 18th century. Note that the second floor overhangs the first floor on the north, an early characteristic. On the first floor the room was used as an entry from the rear yard,, and principally from the kitchen (see Outbuildings) to which it was at one time connected by a covered way. This feature may be reconstructed in the future. The brick stoop and steps are reconstructed from indications which remained in the ground. The brick arch basement entrance under the stoop is unusual.
To the east of the Porch Chamber, and abutting the center section of the building, is another porch. It is also new, its size and location being determined by architectural and archaeological investigations. Its wood rail, columns, and cornice are adapted from typical 18th century Virginia examples.
Doors: Both doors on this facade are new, their size and location as determined by indications in the framing, and their details adapted from original examples in the building.
Windows: On the north facade, some windows are antique and some are new. The large, semi-circular head window at the stair landing has its original frame and head, but the sash is new. The use of this type of windows in a residence (the only extant example in Williamsburg) is indicative of the quality of the remodeled and enlarged house, and of the intentions of the builder.
9Foundation: East of the porch is a new brick bulkhead, its size and location determined by archaeological evidence. The brick foundation wall is mostly original, patched as necessary. The brick foundation wall of the Porch Chamber is, of course, new.
EAST ELEVATION
The east elevation is basically that of the reconstructed east wing, which is not the subject of this report. The brick wall which forms the east end of the center section of the building was entirely visible when the restoration began. Although the east wing was completely destroyed above grade, the line of its roof was visible where it abutted the brick wall. These indications permitted an accurate reconstruction of the roof shape of the east wing.
PLAN
The buildings which John Randolph bought from John Holloway in 1724 were, as far as can be determined, very simple and plain, and gave no hint of the larger house of which they would become a part. On the corner lot was a two story house roughly 29 feet square with a low hipped roof (see the earlier discussion of the original roof of this building) and a single large chimney. On both floors of this house there were three rooms and a stair passage, the passage occupying the south-west corner. The six rooms were all served by corner fireplaces in the interior corner of each room, and each room had cross ventilation, with a window or windows on two sides.
In the 36 feet between this house and the one and one half story building on the next lot to the east, Randolph built the center section 10 which connects the two. On each floor this section contained a new, very large stair passage and one large room. The passage abuts the west building, and the large room with its closets flanking the chimney is built to the east building, which then becomes a wing. Interestingly, there was no connection from the center section of the building to the east wing, indicating that the east wing was not used as part of the house proper but as an office, or some other service building. It may also have been rented separately. The date of its destruction is not know.
INTERIOR
BASEMENT
The basement of the restored portion of the building is given over to mechanical, custodial, and hostess spaces, and is not viewed by visitors. The brick basement walls are largely original above a point about 1'-0" off the floor. The basement was deepened at the time of the restoration, and new brick underpin the original walls from that point down. Note that the original brick are especially small. The brick walls in the Hostess Room have been painted white.
Much of the basement ceiling framing is original, reinforced for stability and endurance. The basement ceilings have been plastered. The basement floors are new concrete except in the spaces used by hostesses, where the flooring is vinyl tile. The stair and all the frame partitions are new.
FIRST FLOOR (Typical first floor ceiling height approximately 10'-4".)
Small Parlour - (15'-6" x 14'-6")
The doors in the east and west walls are original, in
their original locations. Note that the east door is of walnut, as are all the
FIRST
FLOOR PLAN
PEYTON RANDOLPH HOUSE BL 28, BLDG. 6
REVISED 26 SEPT 68
ROOM NAMES APPROVED BY R. & R. 26 SEPT 68
11
doors relating to the center section of the house. This
will be explained more fully in the discussion of the Parlor across the passage.
The trim of this door matches that in the center section with which the door is
contemporary. Note also the arrangement of the eight panels in each door. The
use of small panels at the bottom as well as at the top is unusual, and is used
only in a few other Virginia houses, including Scotchtown, Patrick Henry's house
in Hanover County. The door in the north wall is original to the house, but
whether it was used in this location is not certain. At some time in the 18th
century it was cut vertically down the middle and hinged to fold back upon
itself.
Both windows in the south wall have new sash, but their trim is original. The panelled wainscot breaks out under each window, and over each there is a panelled console which visually supports projections in the cornice. This treatment of panelling is quite sophisticated, and is in keeping with the other improvements to the house. Note that in the east wall north of the door the cornice again projects, indicating the location of an early window which was removed, and the space panelled, when the center section of the house was built.
The room is entirely panelled, as are most of the rooms in the house. The panelling is basically original with the exception of that on the diagonal fireplace wall, and a portion of the north wall. In these areas, new panelling was fabricated which matched the original in typical arrangement and profile. New panelling, where needed throughout the house, was fabricated in this manner.
11AThe existing chimney which rises through the center of the west section of the building dates from the restoration of the house in 1939. The original chimney was destroyed (and with it, probably, the diagonal panelled fireplace walls on both floors) at some unknown date. Its replacement was superseded in the 1920's, and this last chimney was taken down in 1939. The new chimney matches the original in size and location, as nearly as can be determined.
The baseboard in the room is original, patched only as necessary. The same is true of the chair rail and the box cornice. Note again that the three-member trim of the east door is different from the moulded trim on the other two, indicating its different construction date.
12The entire fireplace wall, including the fireplace itself and the marble surround, is new. The details of the 7¾" wide marble surround are adapted from typical 18th century Virginia examples. The 3'-6" width of the fireplace was indicated by the brickwork and framing.
The floor is of edge grain heart yellow pine and is almost entirely original in place, patched only as necessary. This type of flooring was used consistently throughout the house (and throughout Tidewater Virginia in the 18th century).
The plaster ceiling is new, and was given a rough finish to simulate old work.
The paint color in the room is gray, #616. The plaster ceiling is painted with simulated whitewash, as is all plaster throughout the house.
West Passage (11'-4" x 11'-4")
The door in the east wall is original; the other three in the passage are new, as is their trim.
The sash in the window in the south wall is old, although not original. The trim is original.
This is one of the few rooms in the house not panelled. This is perhaps explained by its original and present use as a passage, as opposed to a room for living.
The beaded baseboard is new, copied after original examples in the building. The chair rail is not original, but was deemed of sufficient age and interest to retain. The box cornice is original to the room, and was patched and repaired only as necessary.
The stair in the passage was built in the 1920's, replacing a Victorian stair which had superseded the original. Original framing in the walls indicates that the stair is about the same size and in the same location as the original. Its details are approximately correct for the 13 period, and it was therefore decided to retain the stair instead of replacing it.
The pine floor in the passage is mostly original.
The plaster walls and ceiling are new, with a rough surface to simulate old work.
The paint in the passage is buff, #1005.
Office (13'-6" x 16'-0")
The south door and trim in this room are new. The door in the east wall is original to the house (although not to this location), but the trim is new, matching original examples in the building.
The sash and trim of all three windows in this room are original to the house, and were patched and repaired as necessary. Note that the panelling breaks out under the windows here as in the Small Parlor, but that there is no corresponding console and cornice projection in this room.
The panelling is largely original on the north and west walls, and is new on those remaining. As in other similar cases in the building, the new is exactly copied from the old.
The baseboard, chair rail, and cornice are all basically original, patched and repaired as necessary. The type of cornice in this and other rooms in the house is called a "box" cornice. This simply means that a wood box is built, running around the room at the intersection of the walls and ceiling. Then moldings are added above and below this box to produce the proper cornice profile. This fairly rich type of cornice is in contrast to the simpler and more common type in 18th century Virginia residences where the cornice consists of a flat beaded board on the wall, with a crown mold above.
14The fireplace is new, with a marble surround similar to that used in the Small Parlor.
The pine floor boards are mostly original in place.
The plaster ceiling is new, with a rough surface to simulate old work.
The paint color in the room is gray #616. Note: the interior paint colors seen in the Peyton Randolph House are not among the interior paint colors now available through the Craft House.
Note: When the building was architecturally investigated in 1938, it was noticed that the rooms of the west section had been plastered when the building was first constructed, and that the extensive panelling now in place was added later. It was noted in the Small Parlor that the panelling was installed before the center section of the house was added. This was indicated by the panelling of the east wall where a window was part of the original arrangement, as shown in the projecting cornice. Therefore, it seems likely that the-panelling of the west section of the house dates from after 1724 when John Randolph bought the house, and before the center section was built, probably by 1737, when he died.
Dining Room (13'-0" x 13'-6")
The doors in the west and south walls of this room are original to the house, although probably not to these locations. The doors in the east and north walls are entirely new. The trim for all these doors is new, that on the east door matching trim in the center section of the building, with which it is contemporary, and the remainder matching original examples in the west section.
15Both windows in this room are completely modern, matching existing old examples in this part of the building. Their location was determined by framing indications.
The panelling in the room is a complicated admixture of new and old. When the room was remodeled in the 19th century, windows were changed to doors to a new rear wing, a large arch replaced most of the west wall, etc. What panelling was left had been moved and relocated. The original portions of the. panelling have been returned to their original locations, and new portions exactly matching them have been made for the remainder of the walls. In this room also the panelled wainscot breaks out under the windows.
The baseboard was modern, and has been replaced with a beaded baseboard copied from original examples in the building. The curious chair rail is probably not original to the building, but was deemed sufficiently old and interesting to merit being retained. The box cornice is original except for the crown molding which is new, copied from that in the Office.
The fireplace and mantel are entirely new, the marble surround being copied from fragments on the site. The narrow mantel shelf is typical of 18th century examples in the area.
The pine floor boards are almost entirely original in position.
The plaster ceiling is new, roughly worked in the old manner.
The paint color used in the room is buff #1005.
Rear Entry (6'-6" x 4'-6")
Both of the doors in the Rear Entry are new, as is their trim. Their details are adapted from original examples within the house.
15AThe floor is of antique pine boards from other sources.
The plaster is new.
The paint color in the room is gray #1005.
The Passage (12'-3" x 19'-0")
This stair passage forms the connection between the rooms in the west portion of the building and the large Parlor to the east. The 16 passage was obviously important to Randolph in his enlargement and redecoration of the house, as the stair and window were designed to beautifully fill and enhance the space. A gracious entry such as this is distinctly at variance with the cramped and awkward West Passage, where there was no pretense at elegance.
The east and west doors in the Passage are original, those at the front and rear being new, as noted in North Elevation remarks. The same is true of the trim of these doors.
It should be noted that in this Passage, and in the entire center section of the house, the doors and their trim (and the windows and their trim) are of walnut, instead of the more common yellow pine. It has been determined that the walnut doors, windows, and trim were originally left natural, in contrast to the pine panelling which was normally painted.
The semi-circular head window at the stair landing has new sash and trim, but its frame is original.
The panelled wainscot in the Passage is original except for that on the south wall, but the wainscot on the stairs and landing is new, its detail copied from the old. There is no full-height panelling in the passage.
The baseboard is old and was re-used with necessary patching and repair. The chair rail is new.
The stair is not original, having been built in the 1920's to replace a Victorian stair which had in turn replaced the original. The new stair roughly duplicates the arrangement of the original, although there were one or two steps in the landing of the stair as first built. The stair is a reasonable facsimile of what probably existed, and so it was deemed proper to retain it with only a minor change in moldings.
17The pine floor is mostly antique material, relaid and repaired as necessary.
The plaster walls and ceiling are new, with the surfaces roughly worked.
The paint color used in the Passage is gray #616.
Parlour (19`-6" x 19'-0")
All three doors in the parlour are original, as is most of their trim. At the time of the restoration all of the walnut work had been painted over many times, but as noted above, investigation revealed that the walnut had originally been left natural. It is not known whether it would have been treated with linseed oil or simply left in its natural state. Note again the unusual arrangement of the eight panels with two small panels at the bottom as well as the top. This panel arrangement was featured in at least one English pattern book known to have been used in Virginia in the 18th century.
It should be noted that in the center section of the building the hardware, as well as the doors and windows, received special attention. There the H-L hinges in the west portion of the building were of;: iron; the center section doors were hinged with large cast brass concealed butterfly hinges. The leaves of the hinges are buried in the door and jamb, with only the barrel exposed. This is terminated at top and bottom with intricate cast brass finials. Almost all of the brass hinges and some of the finials are original.
Brass box locks are in place on all the walnut doors (those with brass hinges), and the doors in the older portion of the building (where hinges are iron) have small iron box locks.
18The six windows in the room, three on the south wall and three on the north, all retain old sash and most of their trim with the exception of the west window on the north wall, which is entirely new. The new window is fabricated of walnut and is detailed to match the existing examples.
The fine pine panelling in the room is entirely original, and in the restoration it was simply repaired and patched as necessary. As in all the panelled rooms in the house, the panelling here is arranged in the simplest manner to cover the wall, relying on good proportions and excellent detail for effect. As noted above, almost all pine panelling in 18th century Virginia would have been painted, as it was (and is) here. The contrast between the painted panelling and the natural walnut doors, sash, and trim gives the room character and visual interest.
The baseboard, chair rail, and box cornice were all original at the time of the restoration, and have been patched and repaired only as necessary. Note that the chair rail is discontinuous, stopping short of features such as doors, mantel, etc., instead of butting to them. This was the typical 18th century practice on panelled walls. Where the walls were plaster, the chair board would continue to window and door frames, etc., but the moulded rail would stop short and return upon itself.
The fireplace in the east wall is original. The marble mantel with its large raised panel and narrow mantel shelf were somewhat cracked when the house was acquired, but it has been mended. The rubbed brick jambs of the fireplace are unusual in this location. Note the fine mortar joints. The hearth is of soapstone, and is not original, having been copied from one at the Coke-Garrett house.
19As in the rest of the house, the pine floor is largely original in place.
The plaster ceiling is new, with the rough surface reminiscent of 18th century work.
The paint color in the room is buff #1005.
SECOND FLOOR (Typical second floor ceiling height approximately 9'-0")
Upstairs Parlour (15'-6" x 14'-0")
Shortly after the center section of the house was built and this room was connected to it by the door in the east wall, a passage was created along the east side of this room by the addition of a partition, so that access could be gained to the Oak Bed Chamber from the stair passage without going through this room. This partition has been removed, and the walnut door in it relocated to the existing east wall. Tie framing and door trim has been preserved in the attic for possible re-erection in the future. The other two doors in the room are new, as is their trim. Note in these two doors the simple three panels, in contrast to the elegant eight panel arrangement in the doors which are contemporary with the center section of the building.
The two windows in the south wall are old, although not necessarily original to the building.
This room was never panelled. It has a flat chair
board, and vertical wood strips in the wall at intervals, almost flush with the
plaster. Investigation revealed that these wood verticals, and the horizontals
at the baseboard, chair board and cornice had been used as tack strips for
wallpaper or fabric. In the 18th century wallpaper was not always pasted to the
walls, but was often stretched over light wood frames which were tacked to the
wall, or was sometimes tacked directly to the wall. The blue
SECOND
FLOOR PLAN
PEYTON RANDOLPH HOUSE-BL. 28 BLDG. 6
REVISED 26 SEPT 68
ROOM NAMES APPROVED BY R. & R. 26 SEPT 68
20
flock wallpaper now on the wall is 18th century English
paper, taken from a house in England. It has been pasted to the wall.
The baseboard, chair board, and simple cornice are all partly original, pieced out and repaired as necessary.
The fireplace and its diagonal wall is entirely new. The wall is panelled, a typical practice in the 18th century. The detail and arrangement of the panelling is adapted from original pieces in the building. The fireplace and mantel is derived from local examples.
The floor is mostly original pine, although there is some new antique material near the fireplace.
The plaster ceiling, and the walls under the wallpaper, are of new plaster.
The paint color in the room is gray-green #384.
West Passage (11'-3" x 11'-5")
The east door is new, whereas the north door is original. The same is true of their trim. They are of the simple three panel type. The batten door to the attic is entirely new.
The two windows are old, if not original, as is their trim.
On the south and west walls of this room there is a low panelled wainscot which is original. Why the wainscot exists here and not in the passage is not known.
The baseboard and chair rail are original, patches as necessary. There is no cornice in this room.
The stair which rises into this passage from the first floor dates from the 1920's, as explained earlier. The stairway to the attic is entirely new, with the exception of an original newel and a section of hand-rail 21 which remain in the attic. The detailing of the stair, its beaded flush vertical boarding, etc. are all adapted from local 18th century examples. There is no actual stair within the stair enclosure, as this space was needed for duct space to supply conditioned air to the adjacent rooms.
The pine floor is largely original.
The plaster walls and ceiling are new.
The paint color in the room is buff #1005.
Corner Bed Chamber (N.W.) (13'-6" x 16'-0")
Both doors in this room are original, as is their trim. There was originally a door to the second floor porch chamber room (The Closet) at the east end of the north wall, but a new door was opened in the Oak Bed Chamber and the one in this room not replaced when the building was restored. This was done to give the occupant of the Oak Bed Chamber access to a bath which at that time occupied the Closet. The door could be correctly relocated at some time in the future.
The three windows retain portions of the original sash, and new sash have been made to match. The trim is largely original.
The room is completely panelled, but the panelling is interesting in that it is different from all of that on the first floor. There the panelling is raised (the edge of the field is recessed and bevelled) whereas here it is flat, with only a quarter-round mould at the edge. Why flat panelling was used here and in the Bed Chamber is not know, although it should be noted that flat panelling is cheaper to fabricate than raised panelling.
22The baseboard and chair rail are the originals, repaired as necessary. The crown mould cornice is new, copied from the original in the Oak Bed Chamber.
The fireplace and its diagonal wall are entirely new, as are all those in the west portion of the building. A simple plaster surround was used here, and in all the fireplaces on the second floor. The interior corners of the fireplace are rounded, in keeping with the standard practice of the date of the construction of the building.
The pine floor is entirely original.
The plaster ceiling is new.
The paint color used in the room is buff #1005.
The Oak Bed Chamber (13'-0" x 13'-0")
The oak door in the west wall is original, as is its trim. The door to the Closet is new, as outlined above, and it would not have been an original feature in this room. The south door and trim are new.
Both windows in the room are new, their spacing and size determined by framing indications. The windows in this room are only two lights (panes) wide, whereas all the rest of the windows in the house are three lights wide. Why this deviation occurred is not known. The windows, with their oak sash and trim, are adapted in detail from remaining original examples in the house.
Whereas the Corner Bed Chamber and the Bed Chamber are panelled with flat panelling, this bed chamber alone on the second floor has raised panelling. This may have been done because it was more fitting to use this method where a finer wood than pine was used. The room is completely paneled in oak. The panelling is essentially original on all walls except 23 the north wall, where most of the panelling is new, and the diagonal fireplace where the panelling is totally new as explained above.
The oak baseboard, chair rail, and box cornice are original, repaired as necessary.
The pine floor is entirely original.
The plaster ceiling is new.
The oak panelling and woodwork is left natural, as the many coats of paint removed from the walls proved to be of 19th and 20th century vintage, proving again that fine woods were often left natural while pine was painted.
The Closet 6'-6" x 5'-0")
The door and trim, as noted above, are new.
The window is new, its details adapted from original examples in the building.
The peg strip is new, adapted from original local examples. The beaded baseboard is new.
The floor is new, of antique pine floorboards.
The plaster is new.
The color used in the room is cream #149.
The Passage (Landing size 12'-3" x 7'-3")
The door and trim on the east wall are original. The doorway in the west wall retains portions of the original casing.
The window in the south wall is old, and perhaps original. Its trim is original.
The landing is panelled to the ceiling, whereas the rest of the two story hall has a panelled wainscot with plaster walls over. Here the panelling is raised, perhaps so as not to break the continuity of the raised panel wainscot on the stairs.
The baseboard and chair rail are original, as is the unusual coved cornice. The more normal cornice would have had a crown mould, and the cove mould in this location is a handsome and interesting variation.
The pine floor of the landing is largely original.
The plaster walls above the stair, and the ceiling of the passage, are new.
The paint color used in the passage is gray #616.
The Bed Chamber (19'-0" x 19'-0")
Again in this room we find the eight panel walnut doors with the brass hinges. The three doors in the room are all original as is their trim. As in the Parlor below, the walnut doors and trim and windows and trim are left natural, as it was originally.
The six windows and their trim, all of walnut, are original except for the west window on the north wall, which is entirely modern.
The pine panelling in the room is completely original except for that around the fireplace on the east wall. It is the flat type, somewhat surprising in a room this large where the more elegant type might be expected.
25The very wide panel stiles on the north and south wall about six feet from the west wall indicate that there may have originally been a small entry and dressing room complex across this end of the room which was later removed. If this was the case, the dimensions of the room east to west would have been considerably reduced.
The baseboard, chair rail, and cornice are all original, patched as necessary.
The fireplace is new, as is its plaster surround and adjacent panelling.
The pine floor is almost entirely original, repaired and patched as necessary.
The plaster ceiling is new.
The paint color in the room is buff #1005.
OUTBUILDINGS
Archaeological investigations have revealed that the Peyton Randolph House had a full complement of outbuildings to the north of the house. The investigation was not complete due to the privately owned property to the north, but there were many foundations found on the section of the original property which was investigated. There was a long line of outbuildings stretching north behind the house, along North England Street, and several others whose east wall lined with the east wall of the center section of the house. This line is, of course, the east lot line of colonial lot #207. Several foundations were also found rather casually arranged between these two lines of building.
Of prime interest is the site of several colonial kitchens which stood, one after the other, on roughly the same site at the North England Street lot line roughly 40 feet behind the main house. At least one of these kitchens was two storied and built of brick (see below). Also, the kitchen was at one time connected to the main house by a covered walk which ran from the south wall of the kitchen to the north door of the porch chamber. If the privately owned property to the north is acquired at some time in the future, these outbuildings and features may be reconstructed.
In addition to the archaeological evidence for outbuildings, several old photographs exist, two of which show the south end of the two story brick kitchen, and one which shows a dairy and smoke house.
A shed building, built over an 18th century foundation for the convenience of the life tenant, is the only outbuilding in the rear service yard at the present time. It will be removed if and when the rear yard outbuildings are reconstructed.
FROM
FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?
SITE DEVELOPMENT
The site development for this complex has been kept to a minimum pending full archaeological investigation.
The ultimate extent of property development, on which this original building is located, includes Colonial Lots #207 and #237, fronting on Nicholson Street and Market Square Green, and Lots #208 and #236 to the rear along North England Street, taking in Robertson's Windmill (see map). Because of the intervening private property (Miller) and the need for additional archaeological work, full development of the site cannot be realized at this time.
The dividing line between lots #207 and #237 lies on or very close to the east end of the main building. On this basis and also the need to separate the area behind the East Wing (to be used by the Life Tenant) from the exhibition area, a fence was proposed, to extend to and be tied in with the southeast corner of the Peyton Randolph Shed, Building #6A. At the request of the Life Tenant this fence was not erected. A small garden was designed, taking into consideration necessary circulation paths from the north door of the East Wing to a small parking area, and also around the east end of the East Wing to the main street. The simple garden consists of two perennial borders parallel with the north-south walks, with garden benches at either end of a central turf panel. Enclosure for semi-privacy is provided by Yaupon Holly, Dogwood, and Tree Boxwood which was moved from the front of the main building at the request of the Life Tenant. Several other small shrubs complete the simple landscape development of the East Wing.
Along the Nicholson Street frontage, the existing fence encroachment onto the street right-of-way was removed and the existing fence line 27 on the north street line was honored, being returned a short distance to the southeast corner of the East Wing. The existing fence on the east street line of North England Street was similarly returned on line with the main building to the southwest corner. Several unauthentic and inappropriate shrubs were removed from this area. However, the large Southern Magnolia, several Crape myrtles, and two specimen Tree Boxwoods were retained along this frontage.
No work was specified for the rear of the main building at this time, with the exception of closing off an existing driveway to the rear. A second existing driveway (on the north side of the former Skillman property) was improved to serve a small parking area created behind the East Wing for the use of the life tenant.
Following the experience of visitation during the summer of 1968, certain minor changes will be made to the walk patterns along the facade of the main building to improve conditions involving the waiting line.
October 18, 1967
| Room Name | 1st 18th Century Color | 2nd 18th Century Color | 3rd 18th Century Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Floor | |||
| Living Room | #1005 Buff | Lighter Buff | |
| Main Stair Hall | #616 Gray | #1005 Buff | Green Glaze |
| Parlor | #616 Gray | #1005 Buff | #993 Dark Olive Green |
| West Stair Hall | #1005 Buff | #168 Dark Brown | |
| Music Room | #616 Gray | #1005 Buff | #168 Dark Brown |
| Library | #1005 Buff | Blue Green Between #387 and #426 | |
| 2nd Floor | |||
| Main Stair Hall | #616 Gray | #1005 | Green Glaze |
| Bedroom #1 | #1005 Buff | Green Glaze | Blue Green Between #389 and #426 |
| Bedroom #2 | #1005 Buff | Bright Blue Green | Between #389 and #426 |
| Passage | #1005 Buff | #616 Gray | |
| Bedroom #3 | #1005 Buff | Cool Ivory | |
| Bedroom #4 | Natural | ||
| West Stair Hall | #1005 Buff | #168 Dark Brown | #616 Gray |
Architects Office Choice Underlined
August 10, 1989
To: Doris ThummFrom: Jim Waite
Subject: Peyton Randolph Door Hardware
Block 28, Building 6
Project #89A-057-6
I enclose a copy of my short report on door hardware at the Peyton Randolph House; as you requested several weeks ago. It is a simple summary of what is in place now. The information included was gleaned from earlier reports, from architectural specifications written when the house was first restored, and from direct observation. None are infallible, but perhaps it will be of use to you and your group.
Please let me know if you need anything else, or if you spot any errors.
J.F.W.
Copy to:
Mr. Wenger
DOOR HARDWARE
at
The Peyton Randolph House
Block 28, Building 6
The earlier, western portion of the Peyton Randolph House has panelled doors of pine. The HL hinges and rim locks are of iron. The only slightly unusual feature is that the ends of the legs of most of these hinges are foliated, i.e., they end in a stylized leaf design.
The center part of the house has walnut doors, indicating that special attention was paid to their design and appearance. The hardware on these doors is of brass, and the interior doors have large butterfly hinges (see attached Drawing #49) whose legs are elegantly concealed behind the door casing and mortised into the doors. This leaves only the barrels exposed. The barrels have cast brass finials at top and bottom, a decorative and unusual feature. Some of the remaining finials are original.
The following list notes each door on the first and second floors, indicates what type of hardware it carries, its material, and whether it is original or reproduction:
First Floor
Passage
South (front) Door
Reproduction brass H and HL hinges with finials to
match original examples
Reproduction brass rim lock
North (rear) Door
Reproduction brass HL hinges with finials to match
original examples
Reproduction brass rim lock
East Door (to Dining Room)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Original brass rim lock
2 West Door (to Parlour)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Original iron rim lock
West Door (to Mrs. Randolph's Closet)
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Door to Basement stair
Reused foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Dining Room
West Door (to Passage)
See under Passage
East Door (north of fireplace)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Reproduction brass rim lock
East Door (south of fireplace)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Reproduction brass rim lock
Parlour
East Door (to Passage)
See under Passage
North Door (to Mrs. Randolph's Closet)
Reproduction iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
3 West Door (to West Passage)
Original foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
West Passage
East Door (to Parlour)
See under Parlour
West (Exterior) Door
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
North Door (to office)
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Closet Door (under stair)
Reused foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Office
South Door (to West Passage)
See under West Passage
East Door (to Mrs. Randolph's Closet)
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Mrs. Randolph's Closet
East Door (to Passage)
See under Passage
South Door (to Parlour)
See under Parlour
West Door (to Office)
See under office
North Door (to Rear Entry)
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Rear Entry
South Door (to Mrs. Randolph's Closet)
See under Mrs. Randolph's Closet
North (Exterior) Door
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reused iron rim lock
Second Floor
Passage
East Door (to The Bed Chamber)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Reproduction brass rim lock
West Door (to Upstairs Parlour)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Reproduction iron rim lock
The Bed Chamber
West Door (to Passage)
See under Passage
East Door (north of fireplace)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Reproduction brass rim lock
East Door (south of fireplace)
Original mortised brass butterfly hinges with finials
Reproduction brass rim lock
Upstairs Parlour
East Door
See under Passage
North Door
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
original iron rim lock
West Door
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
West Passage
East Door (to Upstairs Parlour)
See under Upstairs Parlour
North Door
Original iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Door to Attic Stair
Reproduction iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron latch
Northwest Bed Chamber
South Door
See under West Passage
East Door
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron rim lock
Oak Bed Chamber
West Door
See under Northwest Bed Chamber
North Door (to Closet)
Reproduction foliated iron HL hinges
Reproduction iron lock
South Door
See under Upstairs Parlour
Closet
South Door
See under Oak Bed Chamber
James F. Waite
Architecture & Engineering
August 9, 1989
Digital Image Unavailable