Poquoson, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Wash House Restoration
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2021
1. Wash House Restoration Marker
Inscription.
Wash House Restoration. . In late August of 2009, museum volunteers began work on restoring this Wash House. Having already been in disrepair, the building sustained further damage when it's roof and front exterior were scorched by flames from a fire that consumed our nearby barn. During its history the building served multiple uses. One of the uses was as a Wash House. It housed a hand cranked washing machine. An oil stove was used to heat the water for washing and two wash tubs were used for hot rinses. Following washing, the clean clothes were hung on a line strung from the back corner of the building to a pole in the yard. In or around 1945, washing chores were moved to the back porch of the farm house which is now enclosed. While raising the Wash House to facilitate restoration, the volunteers discovered that one of the corner concrete piers had a 1938 date etched into the top. With the discovery of this dated pier and information gained from family members, we believe this Wash House was built in late 1938.
In late August of 2009, museum volunteers began work on restoring this Wash House. Having already been in disrepair, the building sustained further damage when it's roof and front exterior were scorched by flames from a fire that consumed our nearby barn. During its history the building served multiple uses. One of the uses was as a Wash House. It housed a hand cranked washing machine. An oil stove was used to heat the water for washing and two wash tubs were used for hot rinses. Following washing, the clean clothes were hung on a line strung from the back corner of the building to a pole in the yard. In or around 1945, washing chores were moved to the back porch of the farm house which is now enclosed. While raising the Wash House to facilitate restoration, the volunteers discovered that one of the corner concrete piers had a 1938 date etched into the top. With the discovery of this dated pier and information gained from family members, we believe this Wash House was built in late 1938.
Erected by Poquoson Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is August 2009.
Location. 37° 7.667′ N, 76° 21.97′ W. Marker is in Poquoson, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Poquoson Avenue
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(Virginia Route 171) 0.1 miles east of Virginia Route 171, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 968 Poquoson Ave, Poquoson VA 23662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2021
2. The Wash House
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
