Chantilly in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Barn and Other Farm Buildings
Sully Historic Site
— Cain's Branch Archaeological Trail —
Along the Cain's Branch Archaeological Trail
A barn is the heart of the farm. These large structures provide shelter for animals and storage for feed, grain, and hay. Enslaved workers tended the livestock and hauled feed and grasses for storage to the upper story of the barn. Their forced daily farm work made a prosperous life possible for the Lees.
Archaeologists found fragments from the heavy timber framing that dated to the early 1800s. The wooden structure rested on a stone foundation The remnants of a barn likely mark the site of Richard Bland Lee's "Pennsylvania plan" or "bank barn." Foundation remnants indicate it probably measured 100' × 60', about twice the length and width of Sully's main house.
The barn was modernized in the early 1900s and burned in 1950 from an accidental fire, when a tenant's son was played with matches.
Other smaller buildings, built in the late 1700s included a carriage house, blacksmith shop, and poultry coops that no longer exist.
As to my farm- I have 15 tons of Timothy Hay on hand, andeight acres of wheat notwithstanding the ravages of the Fly in part of it… my pastures are fine and besides the products of the Dairy, I hope it will be in my power to sell 25 Beeves (cattle) from grass in the course of the Autumn."
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Ricahrd Bland Lee at Sully to brother-in-law, Zacchaeus Collins, Merchant in Philadelphia.
— June 5, 1802.
Erected 2022 by Fairfax County Park Authority. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 1802.
Location. 38° 54.443′ N, 77° 25.784′ W. Marker is in Chantilly, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Historic Sully Way, 0.8 miles south of Air and Space Museum Parkway, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3642 Historic Sully Way, Herndon VA 20171, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Finding a Slave Quarter and an 18th Century Roadbed (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sully Farms (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Bland Lee Served His Country (within shouting distance of this marker); An 18th Century Enslaved Community at Sully
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
