Flashback!

Col. Heflin (VMI)
John Bushong
1966

Today, we're looking back to the year 1966. (clicking each image will open a larger view) Work was being done to rehabilitate the Bushong Farm and prepare for the opening of the the Battlefield to the public.  Col. James Heflin was the VMI officer assigned to work on the project, spearheading much of the research.  One of his greatest resources was John Bushong, grandson of Anderson.  John's sister Ida also shared her memories.  Both were the children of Jacob E. Bushong, Anderson's son who was born in 1867.  Jacob inherited the property from Elizabeth (Betsy).  John and Ida were raised on the farm and their

Bushong Farm, circa 1880

eye witness accounts were vital to the project.  Notice in the image on the left, John is holding a copy of the earliest known photo of the farm, circa 1880.




Main House and 1818 house

Take a look at this image that has both the Big House and the 1818 house in it.  There are several differences between how these buildings looked then and how they appear today.  How many differences can you spot?  It might be fun if everyone left their observations in the comments section.

Looking East toward the Barn.

Check out this view of the Barn and toolshed.  Notice the location of the outhouse.  Col. Heflin and Mr. Bushong are standing near the site of the Wheelwright's Shop.

The Summer Kitchen before being
dismantled and rebuilt.

This image proves that you're never too old to learn.  I thought for years that the kitchen was leaning heavily to the left before it was dismantled and rebuilt, but it was still mostly upright according to this picture.  It wasn't however in very good shape.  I think "breezy" would be a good description.  This does show what a great job was done on the rebuild.  The inscription on the back of this image indicates that the well was under the shed portion of the building.




Surveying the remains of the
Ice House.

Visitors frequently ask how we know the locations of the various buildings on the property.  As with the Summer Kitchen, the Ice House had enough structure left to guide the restoration, though in the case of the Ice House, it was little more than a footprint.
Here are several images of the rebuilding process.

Rebuilding the Ice House-1







Rebuilding the Ice House-2



Rebuilding the Ice House-3

Feel free to print these pictures and add them to your training notebook.

I hope you've enjoyed this blast from the past. If things go well this winter, I hope to share more historic images in the coming months.

Have a great day!
Stacey