Enon Hall

Enon Hall - Historic Status

In 1997 The Virginia Department of Historic Resources completed a "Historic Architectural Survey Report of Lancaster County, Virginia."

The actual survey was conducted between October 1996 and December 1997 and encompassed the survey and documentation of 270 properties. Following the survey, 33 properties (including Enon Hall) were selected for their "architectural and/or historical significance" and recommended for further investigation at the intensive level to determine if they may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

The final report identifies Enon Hall as one of the two oldest standing homes in the county.

"Enon Hall (051-0214) and Wilder's Grant (051-0186) were erected in the 1730s and are both largely intact as originally designed despite additions. The wood frame Enon Hall exhibits the rarely seen gambrel roof with one interior end brick chimney..."

The site report for Enon Hall includes the following descriptions:

Site Description/Notable Landscape Features:
"The house faces south onto Antipoison Creek. Two outbuildings flank the main house, just slightly south towards the water. A walled family cemetery occupies the crest of this hill and is surrounded by dense bushes. Scattered mature trees throughout the property and a wooded area screens the shed and windmill to the east of the house."

Dwelling Description:
"This mid 18th century dwelling features a steeply pitched gambrel roof, a central entry, and small shed dormers. The facade and rear elevations of the original portion of the building are identical in symmetry, scale, massing, and detail. The entry doors are crowned by 8-light transom. The facade is finished with replacement weatherboard cladding with beading, while the rear elevation is clad in asbestos shingles."

Additions/Alterations:
"Several additions have been made to the original house: a 2-story, side gable, wood frame addition extends to the west elevation on the building. This addition appears to date from the mid-to-late 19th century. A 1-story, side gable screen porch was added to the east elevation. A 1930s or 1940s 1-story extension with attached carport was appended to the mid-19th century addition. Two adjacent, wood frame shed additions extend off the south elevation and a small gable-roofed basement entrance was also added on the south. The easternmost chimney has been rebuilt, while the central chimney was added where a stovepipe once stood. The exterior of the house has been reclad with asbestos shingles, excepting the north elevation which is clad in replacement weatherboard."

Secondary Resources:
"Two mid-18th century outbuildings flank the house to the west and the east. On the west is the former kitchen set on a reworked solid brick foundation with a small section of its original wood weatherboard cladding remaining near the west elevation entry opening. The 1-1/2 story building features hewn joists, gable end windows, and an articulated cornice. The smokehouse stands directly east of the house and has similar architectural features as the kitchen. This building retains its original metal strap hinges although they are not attached to the replacement door. Single-light fixed windows pierce the gable ends. A 1930s, 1-story, wood frame poultry shelter or chicken house with a corregated metal shed rood stands farther east of the main house. The family cemetery is enclosed by a low brick wall and contains about one dozen graves. Vegetation has overgrown much of the cemetery. A metal frame windmill from the 1930s stands near the 1930s frame poultry shelter."

Signifigance Statement:
"Enon Hall, historically associated with the Hathaway family is extremely significant as one of the few remaining intact 18th century buildings in Lancaster County. Along with its 18th century outbuildings, Enon Hall displays a rare standing example of an 18th century rural domestic complex. While the center hall, single-pile plan indicates that the original house dates from the third quarter of the 18th century, oral history suggests an earlier construction date of 1730 to 1750. It is possible that a portion of the gambrel roof building incorporates this earlier dwellng."


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