Barleywood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Barleywood
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Charles Town, West Virginia |
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| Built | 1842 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000241 |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 2007 |
Barleywood is a historic farm in Jefferson County, West Virginia. It sits on land that once belonged to Samuel Washington. Samuel was the brother of America's first president, George Washington.
The Barleywood property was originally part of a much larger estate. This estate was called Harewood. Samuel Washington's family owned Harewood. In 1841, the land for Barleywood was separated from Harewood. The main house at Barleywood was built in 1842. Several other old farm buildings were also built then. These buildings are still standing today. The house has been empty since the 1960s. It has been damaged over the years.
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History of Barleywood Farm
The Washington family bought a lot of land in Jefferson County. This happened in the 1770s. Samuel Washington's Harewood estate was very large. It covered about 3,800 acres (1,500 hectares). Over time, his family divided this huge property. They created at least six smaller farms. Barleywood was one of these new farms.
Early Farm Life and Changes
At first, these farms grew tobacco. People who were forced to work lived and worked on the farms. Later, the farms started growing grain instead. Samuel's son, George Steptoe Washington, inherited Harewood. After he passed away, his son William Temple Washington received the part of the land that became Barleywood.
William Temple Washington later sold the future Barleywood property. He sold it to his daughter Millicent. She and her husband, Robert G. McPherson, then built the house around 1842. In 1850, the McPherson family lived there. They had four children and two servant girls. Ten people were also forced to work on their farm.
New Owners and the Civil War
In 1853, the McPhersons sold Barleywood. Humphrey Keyes bought the farm for $12,203. He also bought a nearby estate. This estate was called Megwillie. Its house had burned down.
During the American Civil War, battles took place near Barleywood. This was especially true in August 1864. After Humphrey Keyes passed away in 1875, his wife Jane inherited the farm. When she died in 1879, their daughters took over. They did not live at Barleywood. Instead, they rented it out to other families.
Later Years and Modern Changes
Around 1900, a house for farm workers was built. A building for storing grain was also built then. Unlike many farms nearby, Barleywood was not turned into an orchard.
Susan Keyes Ambler, one of the daughters, passed away in 1925. Her children then owned the farm. Parts of the farm were sold off in the 1950s. The main house became empty after the 1960s. By 2006, much of the land around Barleywood was used for new homes. There were plans to fix up the old house.
What Barleywood Looks Like
The Barleywood house was built in 1842. It is a two-story brick building. It has three sections on the front. The house shows features of Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular in the mid-1800s. It often looks like ancient Greek temples.
Inside the Main House
A smaller two-story building is attached to the east side. This was likely a service wing. It was used for things like cooking. The house once had porches, but they are gone now. Some of the plaster and wood inside has also been damaged.
When you enter, a hallway runs along the east side. Two large rooms are on the west side. These are called parlors. They are separated by big doors. A door behind the stairs leads to the service wing. The second floor has a similar layout. There is also a small room in front of the stairs. The attic has one finished room. The house also has a stone basement. The service wing has a kitchen in its cellar. It has one room on the first floor and one on the second.
Other Buildings on the Farm
Several other old buildings are on the property. A cistern, which held water, is next to the kitchen. A smokehouse, used for preserving meat, is also there. Both were built in 1842.
You can also find the ruins of a barn from the 1840s. A pumphouse and a granary were built around 1900. Close to the main road, there is a two-story wooden house. This was a tenant house for farm workers. It has been badly damaged by fire.
Barleywood was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 2007. This means it is recognized as an important historic site.
