Old Potting House, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia

1994 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Entry
Significance: The Old Potting House was built in 1880 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This historic structure was at one time adjoined to a cemetery greenhouse which was demolished, for it occupied the north historic Lee vegetable garden. It is a two-story brick building that sits approximately 200 feet north of the Lee Mansion. It measures 22 feet by 32 feet and has a slate hip roof, an ornamented ridgeline, small gable vents on each side, and brick pilasters creating 2 bays on the short side and 3 bays on the long. Many fell during the Civil War - brothers, husbands, sons. Those wishing to pay their respects did so, often with flowers which, in turn, were obtained by the nearby potting - and greenhouses. These structures were significant not only for their provisions but because they were symptomatic of a period of mourning and reflections. Thus, unwittingly, these structures served as a medium to cope not only with the loss of a life, but perhaps with the loss of a way of life.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N156
Survey number: HABS VA-1342
Building/structure dates: 1880 Initial Construction