Preservation Virginia's Blog: August 2015

Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Most Endangered Historic Places: Gibson Cottage

Roof damage, Gibson Cottage, March 2015. Photo courtesy of Preservation Bath.

Gibson Cottage - Warm Springs, Virginia

Significance: Built around 1840 and used as the Warm Springs Hotel manager’s residence, the Gibson Cottage is one of the last remaining original buildings from the hotel’s important mid‐19th century expansion that transformed the county seat of Bath Court House into a welcoming stop on the Virginia springs summer circuit. The cottage survived the razing of the hotel in 1925 and served as a residence for the next sixty‐seven years.

Threat: The current owner, Natural Retreats, purchased it in 2013 and has expressed interest in renovating it. The structure is currently open to the elements and deteriorating and is now listed for possible demolition by the County in 2015. Bath County residents have expressed concern about its possible loss.

Solution: Natural Retreats has stated its intent to save the Cottage. We urge that the owner take action now to protect the site from further deterioration or transfer ownership to another entity that will utilize the building. The cottage, if saved and restored, could play an integral role in telling the history of the Warm Springs Pools.

Elizabeth Kostelny, Preservation Virginia, announcing the listing in May 2015 with an overgrown Gibson Cottage in the background.

Update: Following the May 2015 Most Endangered Historic Sites listing on-site announcement, in mid-June, two volunteers spent four days removing invasive vegetation, cutting down the dead tree that was leaning against the cottage, cutting the grass, and generally clearing the overgrown landscape around the cottage. Following up on their restatement to take steps to stabilize the structure, Natural Retreats just recently engaged John Airgood, of Alexander Nicholson, to begin step one of stabilizing the Gibson Cottage. This will involve removal of the front porch and the entire rear addition and the installation of a temporary roof. Prior to removal, there are plans to measure and salvage the architectural features that are deemed significant, like the front porch posts. Work is scheduled to begin the last week in August.

Gibson Cottage, March 2015. Photo courtesy of Preservation Bath.

Gibson Cottage, June 2015, following clearing of vegetation by volunteers. Photo courtesy of Preservation Bath.

Links:

http://www.thevirginianreview.com/main.asp?ArticleID=41563&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=51

http://www.alleghenymountainradio.org/bath-countys-gibson-cottage-placed-on-endangered-historic-sites-list/

http://www.thevirginianreview.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=40684&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=51&S=1

Contact:

preservationbath.org

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheWarmSpringsPools

Philip Deemer with Preservation Bath at: friendsofthepools@gmail.com

Thursday, August 13, 2015

2015 Most Endangered Historic Places: Town of Port Royal

Peyton-Brockenbrough House

The Town of Port Royal - Port Royal, Virginia

Significance: Port Royal, chartered in 1744, is a small town on the Rappahannock River in Caroline County. First inhabited by the Algonquian, it was established primarily as a port for the exportation of tobacco. Port Royal retains over thirty‐five 18th and early 19th century structures, which reflect the critical role it played in the American Revolution and the Civil War. After assassinating President Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth visited the Brockenbrough‐Peyton House and was later shot and killed south of town at the Garrett Farm.

Threat: As another example of one of Virginia’s “bypassed towns,” Port Royal has become increasingly isolated as a result of changing transportation patterns. Several of the oldest structures are currently unoccupied and in need of stabilization, especially the 1854 Lyceum and Town Hall building. Deterioration will continue if a solution is not found.

Solution: Port Royal is creating a strong foundation for heritage tourism. Historic Port Royal, Inc. is actively involved in repair projects including the Colonial Doctor’s Office. Port Royal is committed to revitalizing their town and currently enjoys three museums (with a fourth on the way), self‐guided walking tours with established historical markers, a restored Rosenwald School and the rebuilt historic pier. We encourage the Town and Caroline County to provide greater visibility with additional directional signage and other incentives that could help promote Port Royal as an enticing place to visit and live.

Friends of the Rappahannock installed a new 100-foot-long pier and a soft launch for kayaks and canoes in Caroline.

Photo: Dawnthea Price for The Free Lance Star

Update (8/13/15): Just a couple weeks before the listing debuted, the Town of Port Royal and Historic Port Royal, Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the new Port Royal Museum of Medicine. The museum boasts artifacts that tell the history of the town, and the former consultation room showcases the historic tools of the trade. Additionally, the historic Port Royal Landing recently received a new pier, a soft launch for canoes and kayaks, and a living shoreline. The pier, launch, and shoreline were all installed by Friends of the Rappahannock. The pier and its revived wetlands setting offer new recreational activities that should help draw more visitors to the town and increase interest in its revitalization.