2014 Deyerle Lecture Series
Early Architecture and History in the
Valley
On Thursday, October 2, at 7:00 pm, the Massanutten Regional Library will host the first of our lectures of the 14th annual Deyerle series, sponsored by the family of the late Dr. Henry P. Deyerle. The focus of the series is the Heritage of the Shenandoah Valley. The topic for 2014 is Architecture and History of houses in Rockingham County prior to the Civil War.
The first lecture is an overview of architectural and construction
characteristics common to Valley houses built between 1750 and 1850. Ann Terrell Baker will be the speaker. Ms. Baker is the author of Old Houses in
Rockingham County Revisited, 1750-1850 (2000). She will present a pictorial history on some of
the houses discussed in the book.
Terrell’s book is an updated and expanded version of the volume
published in 1970 by her father, Isaac Long “Jimmy” Terrell, titled Old
Houses in Rockingham County, 1750-1850.
Both books are available at the Library.
While architectural style is subjected to “fads,”
architectural interpretation is largely dependent on means, materials, and
manpower at the location of construction.
One unique style does define early architecture in Rockingham
County. The styles found in the County
were those brought by German settlers from Pennsylvania, English settlers from
the Tidewater, and Scotch-Irish who traveled up the Valley. Architectural styles of the early pioneers
were remarkably similar wherever one went along the seaboard. In this research no architect has been
associated with or identified in Rockingham County during the period 1750-1850;
however, a study of the houses reveals common architectural patterns. (Note:
Scans of floor plans and some information are from Isaac Terrell’s
book.)
Pioneer House
The basic and often first house of a settler was patterned in
the pioneer style, which consisted, at a minimum, of one room with one
fireplace. Some structures had a pitched
roof
making space under the eaves for storage or sleeping areas, which was
reached by a ladder or by a circular staircase in a corner of the room. An ell might be added at the rear of this
room for storage. If a fireplace was
built in this addition, it was also used for cooking. A house located on a slope could be dug-out
for an additional room, and if a spring was there, it could be used as a fort
against the Indians. Construction
materials were those at hand – stones and logs.
Though logs were used prior to 1750, what we think of as traditional
chinked-log construction was introduced into the Valley by the Scotch-Irish in
the mid-1700s. As a pioneer prospered
the original small houses were often added-on to with larger, grander
extensions.
