The Post War Years
The McLeans left Appomattox Court House and returned to Mrs. McLean's Prince William County, Virginia estate in the fall of 1867. When Wilmer McLean defaulted on repayment of loans, the banking house of "Harrison, Goddin, and Apperson" of Richmond, Virginia brought a judgement against him, and the "Surrender House" was sold at public auction on November 29, 1869. The house was purchased by John L. Pascoe and apparently rented to the Ragland family formerly of Richmond. In 1872 Nathaniel H. Ragland purchased the property for $1250.00.
On January 1, 1891 the property was sold by the Widow Ragland for the sum of $10,000 to Captain Myron Dunlap of Niagra Falls, New York. Myron Dunlap and fellow speculators went through two or three plans intending to capitalize on the notoriety of the property, one idea was to dismantle the home and move it to Chicago as an exhibit at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Measured drawings
including elevations and materials specifications lists were produced, the house was dismantled and packed for shipping, but due to cash flow and legal problems the plan was never brought to fruition. The home sat dismantled in piles prey to vandals, collectors, and the environment for fifty years.
The Park Service Years - 1940 to Present
On April 10th 1940 Appomattox Court House National Historical Monument was created by Congress to include approximately 970 acres. In February 1941 archeological work was begun at the site, then overgrown with brush and honeysuckle. Historical data was collected, and architectural working plans were drawn up to begin the meticulous reconstruction process. The whole project was brought to a swift stop on December 7, 1941 with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces causing the United States entry into World War II.
On November 25, 1947 bids for the reconstruction of the McLean House were opened and on April 9th 1949, eighty four years after the historic meeting reuniting the country, the McLean House was opened by th National Park Service for the first time to the public. Major General U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee IV cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony on April 16, 1950 after a speech by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Douglas Southall Freeman in front of a crowd of approximately 20,000.
Description:
3-story, 3-bay house with full attic, 50'x22'. North elevation: 2-story
porch 50'x15', south elevation: simple pedimented porch 10'x11'.
General Lee's surrender to General Grant took place in the
McLean's parlor on April 9, 1865. Built as a tavern by Charles
Raine in 1848, dismanlted in 1892. Reconstruction dedicated in 1950.
RECONSTRUCTED 1948
McLean Ice House
RECONSTRUCTED1965 Description: 2 elements: 5' deep pit lined w/ logs on fieldstones, 20" above grade, floor w/ sand, roof & gable are superstructure. Logs form foundation 16'x18', sheathed in weather boards. Roof extends almost to grade. Contributes to the McLean estate & village scene as it was at the time of the Surrender. Reconstruction of 1848 ice house.
McLean Kitchen
RECONSTRUCTED1965
Description: 1-story, "V" notched log building, chinked & daubed 20'x16' with rear 1-story frame, clapboard addition, 20'x16', foundation brick on fieldstone. North elevation has full length shed roof porch. Contributes to the McLean estate & village scene as it was at time of the Surrender. Reconstruction of 1848 outside kitchen.
McLean Slave Quarters
RECONSTRUCTED1965
Description: 1-story, double-crib log quarters w/ attic. 27'6"x15'6". Built with "V"-notched logs. Walls chinked & daubed w/ metal lath & mortar, all supported on stone piers. Contributes to McLean estate & village scene as it was as time of Surrender. Reconstruction of 1848 slave quarters.
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