Chantilly in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Walney Dairy
Anatomy of a Dairy
— Ellanor C. Lawrence Park —
The Perfect Location
The Machen’s chose this site to take advantage of the natural flow of the spring. Water was easily directed from the spring through the building and out the other side. As it passed through, the cold spring water preserved the milk and other products. The temperature inside the building remained fairly cool—about 50 degrees Fahrenheit—because of the water and surrounding ground.
Stone Construction
This building is made of local sandstone and probably had a wooden roof. Sandstone was in abundance at Walney, and it was more stable than wood which will not hold up to constant contact with soil and water. You can glimpse the stonemason’s work at the top of the middle wall. He used two layers of stone and filled the spaces in between with smaller stones, or rubble. A mortar of lime and sand held it all together.
Work Rooms
The room on the right was for storing milk and making butter. Spring water collected in the brick vat and kept milk and cream containers cool. The water flowed around the outside of the room in the channels on the floor. Cheese was made in the room on the left. Here, water moved through the middle of the room and out through a hole in the base of the wall. The inside walls, troughs, and channels were parged. That means they were coated with a layer of mortar to make them waterproof and easy to wipe clean.
Erected by Fairfax County Park Authority.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 51.68′ N, 77° 25.878′ W. Marker was in Chantilly, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker could be reached from Walney Road. Marker is located in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly VA 20151, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named The Walney Dairy (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Walney Dairy (here, next to this marker); Walney House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wipe Your Feet! (about 300 feet away); The Houses at Walney (about 300 feet away); Walney Outbuildings (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Walney Outbuildings (about 400 feet away); Walney Barnyard (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chantilly.
More about this marker. In the bottom center of the marker is a photo of the stone walls with a red arrow pointing
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 20, 2022
Also see . . . Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. (Submitted on June 16, 2008.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2008. This page has been viewed 1,088 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 16, 2008. 2. submitted on May 22, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 16, 2008. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.