PUBLIC "-//Fairfax County Public Library//TEXT (US::ViF::vif00014::A Guide to the Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on “Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors”)//EN" "vif00014.xml" A Guide to the Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on “Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors”, 1969-1972 Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on “Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors” MSS 08-04 © 2024 Fairfax County Public Library. All rights reserved. Machine-readable finding aid created by Ross Landis, March 17, 2024 Description is in English A Guide to the Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on “Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors”, 1969-1972 A Collection in The Fairfax County Public Library MSS 08-04

Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library Descriptive Summary Fairfax County Public Library The Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on “Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors”, 1969-1972 MSS 08-04 .5 linear feet English The Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on "Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors" consists of .5 linear feet, spans the years 1969-1972 and consist of correspondence, secondary research materials, news clippings, maps, architectural drawings, copies of photographs, and manuscript drafts. Subjects covered are Dranesville, Virginia and its history and economy from the 1750s to the 1880s; Dr. William Benjamin Day and his half-brother Dr. John Thomas Day, the Civil War-era owners of Mayfield and Ivy Chimney respectively; Northern Virginia country homes in the 18th and 19th centuries; country doctors; Civil War-era field medicine; and the architectural history of Mayfield and Ivy Chimney. Architectural information includes the chain of title for each property, measured drawings, photographs, maps, plats, and the National Park Service’s Historic American Building Survey (HABS) forms. Smith, Peter H. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

None

Use Restrictions

Consult repository for information

Preferred Citation

Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library. Peter H. Smith Manuscript Papers on “Mayfield and Ivy Chimney: Country Homes of Country Doctors”. Box #, Folder #.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Fairfax County Planning Division

Processing Information

Carol Abrams, 2015EAD generated by Ross Landis, 2024

Historical and Biographical Information

In 1969, Peter H. Smith was commissioned by the Fairfax County Director of Planning to conduct research and write a report about the architecture and history of Mayfield and Ivy Chimney, two centuries-old houses on adjacent properties in the Dranesville area of Fairfax County. Correspondence in this collection between Peter H. Smith, Fairfax County officials and Fairfax County History Commission members reflects disagreement as to certain historical facts, areas of emphasis, and editing decisions regarding the research report. In 1972, a limited number of the manuscripts were produced and distributed to county officials and the county library system.

The focus of Smith’s book is on the Civil War in the Dranesville area and the families who owned Mayfield and Ivy Chimney at that point in time. During the Civil War, both homes were owned by doctors who were imprisoned for their support for Secession. Architecturally, Mayfield had at least three phases of construction and is thought to date back to 1755. Ivy Chimney is newer and dates back to the mid-19th century. Smith covers the homes’ architectural styles, elements, and renovations.

Smith earned a Ph.D. in American Studies from The George Washington University. He held positions at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, he was a founder of the D.C. Preservation League (circa 1971). In the 1990s, Peter H. Smith worked for the city of Alexandria, Virginia, where he administered both the Old and Historic Alexandria District and the Parker-Gray District Boards for the Department of Planning and Zoning. He served on the board of the Alexandria (Virginia) Historical Society and wrote articles for its publication The Alexandria Chronicle. His articles include “The Beginnings of Historic Preservation in Alexandria-Moving Toward the Creation of the Old and Historic District (1996)” and “The Saga of Saving and Reconstructing Ramsay House (1998/99).” Smith also co-authored with Peter Smeallie New Construction for Older Buildings: A Design Sourcebook for Archivists and Preservationists (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1990).

Adjunct Descriptive Data

None

Index Terms Braddock’s March in the French and Indian Wars Civil War - Field Medicine Day, John Thomas Day, William Benjamin Dranesville, Battle of Dranesville, Virginia Fairfax County - Architectural History Fairfax County- Doctors Ivy Chimney Mayfield Northern Virginia Country Homes - 19th century Northern Virginia Country Homes -18th century Container List Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Correspondence, 1969-1972 Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Outline, undated Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Research Notes and Graphics, 1969 Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Draft, 1969 September 1 Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Draft, 1969 September 1 Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Revised Draft, undated Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Draft, 1972 February Mayfield and Ivy Chimney Report, Draft, 1972 February Fairfax County Medical Society, History, 1970-1971