Waterford Foundation

Abigail Zurfluh

Adaptive Reuse of WF Properties

jump to report
jump to survey

In recent years, there has been a growing nationwide focus on adaptive reuse- the practice of repurposing historic buildings for new uses- as a key strategy for preservation. Adaptive reuse is broadly defined as modifying or using a structure to serve a different function than originally intended. Although adaptive reuse has gained popularity, it is not a new concept in the Village of Waterford, where it has long been used to preserve historic structures. For example, many former commercial properties on Main Street are now fully residential properties, and the Waterford Old School now serves as the Waterford Foundation offices and community center rather than a school. Adaptive reuse is a well-respected and documented method used by historic preservationists nationwide as it is one of the most sustainable ways to preserve historic structures long-term.

The Waterford Foundation (WF) Board of Directors has identified that the majority of the WF owned properties are not being used to their full potential in support of the WF mission to preserve the historic buildings and open spaces of the National Historic Landmark of Waterford, Virginia, and, through education, to increase the public’s knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community. Looking into how to adaptively reuse properties from what they were originally designed for to how they are best able to support Waterford now is the logical next step.

In 2023, the Historic Properties and Land Use Subcommittee was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of all Waterford Foundation properties- excluding the Mill- to develop a preliminary report supporting the adaptive reuse of these sites. This report serves as a foundational resource, outline key information such as existing easements and zoning regulations, along with recommendations for potential modifications. It also assess the current use of each property and identifies preliminary work needed to make them viable for adaptive reuse.

Beyond individual properties, the report takes a broader look at the Village as a whole, evaluating the current needs of both residents and visitors. It examines how Foundation-owned properties can best serve these needs, ensuring that preservation efforts align with community priorities. Additionally, the report helps establish a framework for prioritizing properties for adaptive reuse, guiding future planning and resource allocation.

Report

The next step in finalizing and editing the report for adoption by the Waterford Foundation Board of Directors is to receive public input. Version 2.0. of the Draft Alternative Use Proposal is available below:

Version 2.0. of the draft alternative use proposal

Below is a detailed table of contents of Alternative Use Report highlighting where in the report that each property’s proposal is:

Introduction and PurposePage 4
ApproachPage 5
WF Property InformationPages 6-42
Observations from Full VillagePages 43- 46
Proposed Alternative Uses and Implementation Requirements GoalsPage 47
Bond Street Barn and Meadow ProposalPages 48-52
Chair Factory ProposalPages 53-55
Corner Store ProposalPage 56
Forge ProposalPages 56-59
John Wesley Community Church ProposalPages 60-64
North Meadow ProposalPage 65
Old School ProposalPage 65
Phillips Farm ProposalPages 66-67
Red Barn ProposalPages 68-70
Schooley Mill Barn and Meadow ProposalPages 71- 72
Second Street School ProposalPage 73
Water Street Meadow ProposalPage 73
Recommended Steps of ActionPages 74-76

Survey

The HPLU subcommittee is seeking public comments through an online survey available below or through this link. Thank you for taking the time to read the report and fill out the survey to put in your comments. Your comments will be taken into consideration as the Historic Properties and Land Use Subcommittee continues to refine the report for V.3. The public comment survey will be open to receive comments through Monday, March 31st.

Public comment survey

For questions about the report or if you have trouble filling out the survey, please email the Waterford Foundation historic preservation director at azurfluh@waterfordfoundation.org

2024 Recap

We have had a busy year this year in the 1,420 acre National Historic Landmark of Waterford! Our staff, board, committees, and volunteers have been hard at work to preserve the historic buildings and open spaces of Waterford, and to educate the public about Waterford history, craft, and life in an early American rural village. Before we leap into 2025, let’s take a look back at the highlights of this year in preservation, education, and public programming (oh my!) below:

In May, when the Waterford National Historic Landmark was announced to be one of Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places by Preservation Virginia; we said that endangered doesn’t mean the end, it means that there is a community ready and willing to put in the work to save it. That statement was truly proven this year. We would be remised if when talking about what happened this year in preservation without mentioning the Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance first. Starting at the beginning of the year, we at the Waterford Foundation joined together with other environmental conservation and historic preservation organizations, community groups, business representatives, and more to advocate for the 500kv transmission lines proposed to go through rural Loudoun, including inside the Waterford National Historic Landmark, be moved into the existing rights-of-way. After many long hours, community meetings, signs distributed, signatures collections, conversations with the powers to be, and so much more- PJM Interconnection’s Board of Directors approved a change in scope for the 2022 RTEP W3 plan that avoids construction of a new greenfield power transmission line through western Loudoun County by instead making use of existing rights-of-way. The Waterford Foundation continues to be associated with the Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance as the group advocates for the best ways to intersect the community, local businesses, historic preservation and environmental conservation, and power infrastructure.

It was a busy year out on the Phillips Farm as well. There were two sprayings for poison hemlock, and by the end of the summer there were no new growth observed for the first time! While this could be due to a multitude of reasons outside of our control, it is definitely a sign we are in the right direction in the treatment of this invasive species. Mile-a-minute vine and autumn olive (two other invasive species) were pulled by volunteers in two cleanup days in the spring led by members of the Open Spaces Subcommittee. More work will be done on managing invasive species in 2025. In partnership with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, a new stream monitoring site was added along Bull’s Run. Finally, we started to research ways to better support the Phillips Farm Trail Network’s growing popularity, and a public survey was put out during the summer months. We can’t wait to hit the trails in 2025!

Finally, our preservation work this year was spread all over Waterford. In June, the Second Street School got some needed TLC on the exterior with new paint and wood repairs. The building is definitely ready to welcome a whole new set of fourth graders in the spring! After the large storms that passed through Waterford in July wreaked some havoc, volunteers as young as six came out to help at our Post-Storm Cleanup (with popsicles)! Our storm cleanup had volunteers go around the entire village- including the Phillips Farm trail, Old School, Bond Street Meadow, Second Street School, and the Village Green. The Foundation was awarded the Community Blue Ribbon Award by the Loudoun Joint Architectural Review Board and the Signatures of Loudoun: Design Excellence Award for Historic Renovations by Loudoun County for the Waterford Mill Project. The Mill Planning Ad-Hoc Committee called together by the Board continued to meet this year (and will continue into 2025) to lay out the best plan for the next life of the Waterford Mill. On the topic of planning, in late 2024 planning kicked off for the John Wesley Community Church Restoration Project. We hope that the project will be completed by the end of the year in 2026.

Our education team also had a busy year this year! First off, our education committee hosted five programs in the 2024 Lyceum Series: a talk on how to research your home and family presented by our very own Historic Preservation Director Abigail Zurfluh and Thomas Balch’s Anna Carneal and Laura Christiansen, a book by Waterford historian Taylor Chamberlain on his new book My Old Carpetbagger which uses the story of his great-grandparents to reveal new aspects of Virginia and national history, an interactive talk and family friendly activities in partnership with the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum and Loudoun250 Commission on Colonial-period agriculture, and a panel discussion of the “Real” Arthur Godfrey Story: as Told by His Family. Our final lyceum program took a trip into Leesburg, with Historic Preservation Director Abigail Zurfluh giving an overview of Waterford History through the Oden Map at the Rust Library in Leesburg. We can’t wait to see what incredible programs are going to be planned for 2025! Talented docents led groups around Waterford on a quarterly basis for a walking tour, and we can’t wait to welcome people back for a tour. Two new exhibits were unveiled at this year’s Fair: the reworking of the African American Experience of Waterford, and Waterford Then and Now. We can’t wait to build on this momentum for next year!

The Second Street School Program celebrated forty years this year with an impressive number of over 600 fourth grade participants in the primary program! We introduced three new field trip programs during the 2023-2024 school year for middle and high school students to come out and explore Waterford and learn more about the Reconstruction Era and the African American community here. In 2025, we hope to expand the offering of these three programs and possibly find a way to bring Waterford into the classroom.

Finally, we couldn’t forget to talk about our public programming: The Waterford Craft School and the Waterford Fair! In 2024, the Waterford Foundation hosted our 80th Waterford Fair on the first weekend of October. We had sunny skies and perfect fall weather to welcome over 15,000 attendees to the Village. 225 artisans and artists participated this year, including 76 who demonstrated. There were thirteen living history exhibits and eighteen performers who engaged, taught, and played with fairgoers throughout the weekend. Our talented team of docents welcomed 6,382 fairgoers into 13 historic homes, buildings, and gardens. In honor of the 80th Waterford Fair, the first ever Waterford Fair beer was tapped by Wheatland Springs at the Talbott’s Tavern at the Old School, and at the brand new Mills End Waystation. To be able to create a magical weekend for fairgoers, we had a dedicated team of over 400 volunteers that we can’t thank enough!

The Craft School brings in master artisans to teach traditional crafts, focusing on heritage skills and techniques. The 2023-2024 Craft School Season ended early this year, which had 253 students come out to our workshops. The 2024-2025 Craft School Season kicked off this summer, and during the season we will welcome thirty master instructors in total, including twelve new to the WCS, to teach students about their crafts. The summer was abuzz in Waterford with six children’s summer camps covering everything from making your own doll to survival skills. Registration is still open for WCS workshops happening in 2025 at this link!

This year was definitely one for the history books here, and we can’t wait to continue our work of preserving one of Virginia’s treasures in 2025! To support our mission of preservation and education, please consider giving as part of our end-of-year campaign. You can learn more about our end-of-year campaign on our support page linked below.

Support the Waterford Foundation!

July 2024 Storm Cleanup

On July 15th, Waterford was hit by an unexpectedly strong storm that certainly left it’s mark in the Village. Trees were spewed through the streets and sticks scattered all over- knocking out power for the majority of the area during the summer heat and a large wake of destruction. It is a true testament to the community in Waterford that banded together to direct traffic, clear roads and driveways, and more!

To help cleanup, we engaged with another kind of stick- popsicle sticks. Volunteers as young as six came out to help cleanup up Waterford Foundation properties and around the Village, and we had popsicles afterwards to celebrate a job well done. We can’t thank our volunteers who came out enough!!!

Volunteers went to the Bond Street Meadow, Village Green, and the Old School area to help collect the debris dispersed around. Another team went down to the Phillips Farm to successfully clear the downed branches blocking the trail. Afterwards, everyone came together to enjoy the sunny summer day with popsicles in hand.

Thanks to our volunteers hard work, we were able to reopen the Phillips Farm trail, and have spaces ready for us to start prepping for the Waterford Fair! We also want to pass along our gratitude to the Land Trust of Virginia, who donated waters for the event so that everyone could stay hydrated in the summer heat.

Check out below for some before and after pictures! If you are interested in volunteering in our next cleanup or want to learn more about volunteering in Waterford, please reach out to our office at oldschool@waterfordfoundation.org.

Before:

Trees down at Waterford Old School
Osage Orange Tree Blocking Phillips Farm Trail
Maple Tree Blocking Phillips Farm Trail

After:

Branch Pile Getting Created at Waterford Old School
Trail Cleared from Osage Orange Tree
Trail Cleared from Maple Tree

Next steps in storm cleanup on Waterford properties is to bring in professional assistance in cutting up larger trees and wood chipping.

Spring 2024 Lyceum Recap

This past weekend wrapped up our Spring and Summer 2024 Education Lyceum season!. Thank you to everyone who came out to our events, and we can’t wait to see you at another event soon!

Lyceums are put on by the Waterford Foundation Education Committee. The Committee is currently brainstorming topics for lyceums in the future! Do you have a suggestion? Share your interests with us by taking this quick survey linked here!

Genealogy and House Research Lyceum

On May 21st for Historic Preservation Month, we teamed up with the Thomas Balch Library to put on the Genealogy and House Research Lyceum. The program started with Waterford Foundation’s Abigail Zurfluh presenting an overview of how to conduct building research and where you can go to find resources for that in the County. Then, Thomas Balch’s Anna Carneal and Laura Christiansen presented an overview of how to do genealogy research and the resources available at the Thomas Balch Library in their collections and archives. All three presenters also answered questions and gave advice on how to conduct research.

The highlight of the program was definitely being able to see (and touch) three Waterford primary sources that can be found in the Thomas Balch Library, picture below. Thank you Anna and Laura for coming out and helping us put on this informational lyceum!

Historian and Local Historian Taylor Chamberlin Book Talk

On June 2nd, we hosted an interesting book talk by local author and historian Taylor Chamberlin. Chamberlin came to discuss the contents of his new book, “My Old Carpetbagger”. In the book, Chamberlin uses the story of his great-grandparents to reveal new aspects about Virginia and national history. Capt. Simon Elliot Chamberlin and Edith Matthews met at the end of the Civil War, when the Union Cavalry officer was provost marshal at Point of Rocks and the teen-aged Quaker was still reeling from the devastation of the family farm (Clifton) outside Waterford. Beginning with the Taylors of Taylorstown and the Govers of Waterford, Edith’s family played a prominent, if not always exemplary role in Loudoun’s Quaker community and would pay heavily for its support of abolition and the Union.

Thank you Taylor Chamberlin for coming out and sharing the details of your new book with us!

Colonial Agriculture Day!

Fun for all ages was had on June 30th as the Foundation and the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum teamed up to host Colonial Agriculture Day at the Old School. As people arrived, participants were able to take a shot at playing with various colonial-era toys (the person writing this is proud to say that they were able to get the ball in the cup). Those interested were able to beat the heat and listen to the engaging talk on the beginnings of agriculture in the County from pre-contact era to past the American Revolution by Anne Marie Chirieleison of the Farm Museum. Out on the Old School porch, participants were able to put together egg carton planters to hopefully have sprouting plants all summer long!

Thank you to the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum for your partnership in Colonial Agriculture Day!

Thank you to everyone who came out to our education lyceums this past season, and we hope to see you at the next one! If you have any suggestions, please fill out this survey as the committee is currently looking into planning more lyceums for next year.

2024 Second Street School Painting

After this last busy school year, we were able to give the outside of the Second Street School some much needed TLC! Following Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation, repairs were made some woodwork on the rear elevation and the building got a fresh coat of paint. Now, the Second Street School is ready to host another years worth of scholars coming to Waterford to learn about Reconstruction.

Check out below for some before and after pictures! It is thanks to generous donations to the Lantern Light Fund that the Waterford Foundation is able to preserve and educate the public about African American life here in Waterford and Loudoun County.

Before:

After:

To support work like this in the future, please consider a donation to the Lantern Light Fund, our fund that supports the artifacts, sites, and stories of Waterford’s Black community including the Second Street School and the John Wesley Community Church.

LTLA Local Impacts Study

The Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance conducted a comprehensive impact study of NextEra’s proposed new transmission lines in rural Loudoun County. Data for the 137-page report was collected from multiple member organizations, community testimonies, PJM Interconnection’s original reports, academic research, and Loudoun County mapping services. This report shows the vast role that Loudoun’s rural economy and heritage play in the county, and what would be lost if transmission lines were constructed.

Read on below to see some infographics about how the proposed impacts would affect Loudoun! The full impact statement is available at this link. At the bottom of the page, you can read individual organizations impact statements that were submitted.

Authors: Jim Hanna, Bob Pollard, and Sue Manch of the Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance

Individual Organizations Reports and Statements: some of these reports were created using a template created by the Waterford Foundation, Inc.

LTLA Member Organization Resources

This page is a list of resources for Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance Member Organization Resources. For more information or if you have any questions, please reach out to the Communications Chair azurfluh@waterfordfoundation.org

  • NIETC Fact Sheet: This fact sheet for LTLA members is designed to help with the writing of comments for the NIETC based on the LTLA statement and common messaging
  • LTLA June Appeal: A copy of the June Appeal letter emailed to members on 5/28
  • Event Supplies Request Form: Use this form to request LTLA flyers, yard signs, and table information for your next event. Please fill out this form at least one week in advance, two weeks if you need a new flyer created.
  • Canvassing Tips and Tricks: This document lists how to canvas for beginners, and some helpful tips in how to go door to door

About the National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor

PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE DUE ON JUNE 24 BY 5PM ET. PUBLIC COMMENTS CAN BE SENT TO NIETC@HQ.DOE.GOV.

Map of Potential NIETC Geographic Area in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Department of Energy, 5.8.2024)

On May 8th, the Department of Energy released their preliminary list of potential National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridors around the country. This comes after the completion of their information gathering phase that started in December 2023. Below are answers to common questions about the National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor designation process, and what you can do:

What is the National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor Designation: The National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor (NIETC) is a designation given to geographic areas by the United States Department of Energy. This designation is designed to help the department support growing nationwide transmission line needs by streamlining approval processes in place at the state level. According to the Department of Energy, a NIETC designation allows for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue permits for transmission line projects with the designation area under the circumstances that state authorities (in Virginia, the State Corporation Commission) do not have authority to site the line, have not acted on an application for over 1 year, or have denied an application.

Would this impact Loudoun? Yes, Loudoun was included in the Mid-Atlantic region NIETC preliminary list (see map above). A NIETC designation would NextEra Energy to build a new greenfield power corridor within a wide swath of rural Loudoun to support the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link project, even if the State Corporation Commission denies construction in Rural Loudoun.

Can you explain why this would be a bad thing? The Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance identified three main reasons of detrimental impact to Loudoun County supported by data collected by Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) and PJM Interconnection:

  • This is not a long-term solution to any issues related to reliability and resilience. All of Mid-Atlantic corridors depend on aging coal fired plants that will not be around for the lifetime of the transmission lines. This is not consistent with the renewable energy policies of the U.S. Government. The proposed western transmission lines within the PJM 2022-RTEP-W3 process has already led to the extension of the life time of two coal plants (Ft. Martin and Harrison) that has been set to retire in 2030. The data centers of Northern Virginia represent the only growing sector of electricity demand that is predicted to double by 2040 when these coal-fired plants will be obsolete.
  • Virginia ratepayers will have to help cover the total cost of $4.9 billion for these inter-regional transmission lines by absorbing the cost into their utility bills. Dominion Energy already anticipates a doubling of consumer bills as a result of the need to build out the infrastructure. Communities pay to build and operate this new infrastructure and suffer the consequences of having these lines disrupt local businesses, property owners, historical landmarks, and the environment. Dominion Energy is also discussing other transmission lines to directly serve new data centers being built in Culpeper, Prince William, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties, which ratepayers will have to pay for as well. PJM’s set of recommended lines will be sent to the Board of Managers for final approval in mid-December. (Source: Piedmont Environmental Council) These lines will not support households- only data centers. It does not appear that this corridor will save anyone in Loudoun money any time soon.
  • It is correct that there is a need to expand access to power. However, as opposed to being the answer to future energy needs, the transmission line projects lock us into an old model reliant on fossil fuels. The project is an extension cord connecting power-hungry data centers to existing energy sources when we need to move into the future. (Source: Piedmont Environmental Council) When the coal-fired plants that are soon to become obsolete go offline, this huge investment in these “extension cords” will be useless, and new solutions will need to be found. There is nothing “clean” about the proposed solutions under consideration by the Department of Energy.

For more information about the potential adverse impact, please visit this webpage set up by the Piedmont Environmental Council. You can also check out our “Just the Facts” flyer linked here!

Map of Potential NIETC Geographic Area in the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Information (Department of Energy, 5.8.2024)

Where does the LTLA stand on this proposal? The LTLA disapproves of the decision to include Loudoun in the NIETC designation. While we understand the need for power in a growing area such as Loudoun and Northern Virginia, we do not believe it should come at the expense of the community, local businesses, agriculture, conservation, and preservation. Denoting any part of Loudoun a National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor would meet the power needs of a few while endangering the future of an entire region.

What can I do? The Department of Energy are accepting and asking for public comments on the geographic boundaries of the moving forward designations considerations until June 24, 2024 at 5:00PM ET. Public comments can be sent to NIETC@hq.doe.gov.

Please send in comments about why Loudoun would be a bad candidate to be included in a National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor. Public input is very important in this process to help determine national needs. Specifically, the DOE is asking the public to submit comments on:

  • Transmission needs within the potential NIETCs and associated consumer harm
  • The geographic boundaries of the potential NIETCs
  • Potential impacts on environmental, community, and other resources within the potential NIETCs

Check out the graphic below to help brainstorm what you should include!

For More Information: