A Lesson Plan from the Virginia State Parks'
Your Backyard Classrooms

Clues to the Past

Teacher Worksheet



Note: Suggested Answers to Worksheet Questions.

  1. a) There's a seam in the brick foundation. The brick on the right side looks older than on the left.
    b) Farm was prosperous; family grew.

  2. a) All stretchers.
    b) The chimney may have been damaged and repaired at later date.

  3. Hold the chimneys upright.

  4. a) Wavy.
    b)Hand blown.

  5. To load onto ships for transport to England and other far away places. The river was the major method of transportation.

  6. Cooking was done in open fireplaces which posed a major fire hazard. With the kitchen in a separate building, the main house was protected. Also the main house would not be overheated in the summer by the heat from the kitchen.

  7. Poultry house provided fresh eggs. Meat was preserved by smoking in the smoke house. (There were no grocery stores or convenient refrigeration.)

  8. Much smaller, less view of river.

  9. Heats both sides of house - separates living quarters.

  10. Late 1860s - after Civil War for freed slaves.

  11. Farmer shares the crop with land owner.

  12. Blacksmith, doctor/nurse station, school.

  13. After birds eat berries, seeds pass through digestive tract, and are dropped while birds perch on fence.

  14. Mansion larger, brick.

  15. Yes - new larger house.

  16. Front is covered with stucco scribed to look like large blocks; other sides - red brick.

  17. a) Stone block was a popular style and/or prestigious (could it have held the paint better than plain brick?)
    b) Harder to maintain than plain brick.

  18. Provided good view of river.

  19. When a husband traveled by sea, there was a chance that he would never return, and his wife, who would regularly climb up to the "widows walk" to look for her husband's ship, would become a widow.

  20. a) & b) Answers will vary.

  21. a) Lucy Ludwell's (there are plaques to describe each carriage).
    b)Breaking cart - lightweight, small.