Wash House Restoration

In late August of 2009, volunteers began restoring the Wash House after a fire that consumed a nearby barn scorched its roof and front exterior, adding to damage from earlier disrepair. During its history, the building served multiple uses, including as a Wash House with a hand cranked washing machine, an oil stove for heating water, and two wash tubs for hot rinses, after which clean clothes were hung on a line 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 the building was being raised for restoration, volunteers found a 1938 date etched into the top of one corner concrete pier, and with that discovery and information from family members, they believe it was built in late 1938.

Poquoson, Virginia · United States