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Vegetation reclaiming ruins within the historic developed area, 1992. NPS Photo

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Structural Stabilization

On Virginius Island the structural ruins that are evident range from the spectacular to the unimposing. There are six types of structural ruins on the island:

1. Structure excavated and exposed with a maximum wall height of ten feet. Structural features and footprint of the building clearly visible and intact. ( Cotton/flour mill ruins, June 1994) [ view image ]

2. Depression created by a former structure. Only the faces of interior portions of the foundation walls are exposed with large amounts of fill and rubble on top. ( Herr's mill, October 2001) [ view image ]

3. Stone foundation walls exposed to a maximum of two feet. Footprint of structure not intact. (Lewis Wernwag House ruins, 1991) [ view image ]

4. Majority of structure is rubble with a few portions of the foundation visible at grade. Footprint of structure and dimensions difficult to perceive. (Remnant stones from rowhouse foundation, October 2001) [ view image ]

5. Special structural features for the waterpower systems remaining intact including the headgates and water-intake tunnels. ( Water intake tunnels, October 2001) [ view image ]

6. Portions of walls related to transportation systems and water containment remaining intact. (Shenandoah Canal channel, October 2001) [ view image ]

The recommendations included the stabilization of the walls of the most prominent structural ruins by removing detrimental vegetation, repointing masonry joints, and adding new capstones to the irregular-shaped ruin walls to prevent further deterioration and loss of historic fabric. Within this context, park stewards focused their efforts on the more prominent ruins (#1 and #5). The second priority included a minimal amount of vegetation removal on #3 and #4 ruins. For the last group of ruins (#2 and #6), generally viewed as depressions, some vegetation removal was also recommended for portions of the feature to make them more apparent.

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