Ash House

A modern day view of the ash house.

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Built around 1850, the Ash House is constructed of rubble stone. On a farm, nothing is wasted; even the ashes had uses. Ashes would be collected from fireplaces and smoke houses and stored in the Ash House to be gathered, placed in water and soaked, usually for three days, and then turned into lye. Lye, mixed with animal fats, was used to make soap, candles, and lime for fertilizer. The soap might be used to wash people or clothing.

A second Ash House can be seen in late 19th century photos behind the Lower House, just south of the Slave Quarters. This small structure no longer survives. This surviving structure is a reminder of how villages of enslaved people were designed to be as self sufficient as possible on large plantaitons such as Hampton.