Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Necessary

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2019

1. Necessary Marker

Inscription. Only members of the gentry used the Necessary, commonly known as an outhouse or privy, and likely only in good weather. Chamber pots were used inside the house in evenings and in cold or inclement weather. Slaves removed, emptied, and cleaned the chamber pots daily. Research indicates that a second Necessary may have existed north of the Meat House, completing the symmetrical arrangement of buildings located along the ridge of the hill.

[Caption:]
The Necessary at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest features an opening for cleaning. Look for evidence of this feature here, which has since been covered.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 38° 43.032′ N, 77° 8.243′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from Outlet 0.2 miles north of Lampert Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dairy (a few steps from this marker); Meat House

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Woodlawn (within shouting distance of this marker); The People of Woodlawn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Woodlawn (about 400 feet away); Pope-Leighey (about 700 feet away); Potomac Connections (about 700 feet away); Woodlawn Historic Landscapes (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Additional keywords. slave labor

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2019

2. Necessary Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 383 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.