George Crossman House

After more than 75 years of being white, Crossman House was repainted green in fall 2017. ***[The following information is pending verification from The National Historic Registry; Arlington County Historical Society; or the descendants of the George Crossman family.]*** Based on tiny areas of paint uncovered during the most recent renovation, green is believed to be its historical color.
George Crossman House
Location 2501 N. Underwood St., Arlington, Virginia
Area less than one acre
Built 1892 (1892)
Architectural style Late Victorian
NRHP reference # 03000455[1]
VLR # 000-8826
Significant dates
Added to NRHP May 22, 2003
Designated VLR December 4, 2002[2]

George Crossman House is an historic home located in the East Falls Church section of Arlington, Virginia. It was built in 1892 by George Grant Crossman for his new bride Nellie Dodge of Lewinsville, VA.[3] George Crossman was the son of Isaac Crossman who played an important role in developing the city of Falls Church. The house was once part of a 60-acre (24 ha) dairy farm in what was then rural Northern Virginia. The Crossman Farm's dairy products was sold to local neighbors as well as to the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Association.[4] The Crossman's son William C. helped operate the farm and later assumed ownership and management of the house and dairy operation following the death of his parents. The Crossman Dairy was the last dairy farm in Arlington County.[3] The house was originally located in the section of Falls Church that broke off in 1936 to become the East Falls Church section of Arlington County. The dairy farm was closed by 1950 and the land was sold in 1954 and divided. Today, Tuckahoe Elementary School and Bishop O'Connell High School stand on land that was once part of the Crossman Dairy Farm.

The house was owned by the Crossman family for 62 years. In 1955, it was purchased by Stephen and Irmgard Grey, who obtained its historic designation. Mrs. Grey was a secretary for U.S. Senator John Warner (R-VA) and, according to local legend, Warner's then-wife the actress Elizabeth Taylor visited the house on several occasions.[5] When Mr. Grey finally sold the house in 1991, it required significant restoration and renovation, which was undertaken by the three subsequent owners. Awarded the 2000 Arlington Heritage Award for restoration, it remains a private residence.

The street running in front of the house was originally known as Crossman Street until its name was changed to North Underwood in 1935. The house is two-story, four-square Late Victorian farmhouse. Although the architect of the Crossman House is unknown, it resembles the type of house that was available through mail-order catalogues in the late 19th century.[6] The house exhibits the characteristics of both the Queen Anne and Folk Victorian styles, including the asymmetrical plan, dominant front-facing gable and use of patterned wood shingles (now asphalt), weatherboards, and projecting bays. The house has two staircases. The main interior staircase is decorated with unusual wood squares that were originally made by the Smoot Lumber Company. When the staircase was restored in the 1990s, Smoot Lumber was able to locate the original saw blade to make the replacement squares.[7] One of the most interesting and unusual features of the house is the carvings in the eaves that, when the sun shines, creates shadows that make it appear as if birds are flying against the exterior. The house was painted white for more than seventy years. During its most recent renovation, the removal of an area of dry wall revealed old paint. Based on the paint discovery and an old photo of the house, the house was recently repainted to what is believed to be more historically accurate colors.

The house sits on a fieldstone foundation and has a cross-gable roof. It features an original wraparound front porch with turned posts and balusters.[8]

The Arlington County Board designated the building to be a local historic district on May 17, 1986.[9] The National Park Service listed the house on the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2003[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
  3. 1 2 Arlington Historical Magazine, October 2001
  4. ↑ National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places
  5. ↑ Recollections of Grey's eldest daughter as told to L. McClain
  6. ↑ National Register of Historic Places, Continuation Sheet
  7. ↑ Former owner K. Jones
  8. ↑ Cynthia A. Liccese-Torres (July 2002). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: George Crossman House" (PDF). and Accompanying three photos
  9. 1 2 "George Crossman House". Projects and Planning. Arlington County, Virginia government. Retrieved 2018-03-08. Archived 2016-05-21 at the Wayback Machine.
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