Printer
TextThe District of Columbia Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District
|
Documents on this page are in portable document format (PDF). In order to view these files, you will need Adobe Reader version 6.0 or greater installed on your computer. |
 For
information on the Proposed Revisions to the National Register
Historic District nomination, please scroll down on this
page.
The District of Columbia Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 2006. The Historic District extends across 511 acres near the community of Lorton, Virginia. It encompasses the primary built features and a broad representative area of the agricultural and industrial lands that formerly comprised a Progressive era penal institution. The district includes numerous historic buildings, structures, sites and objects that survive from the 1910-1961 period of significance and continue to convey their important historic associations. The physical design and composition of the three main prison campuses - the Workhouse, Reformatory, and Penitentiary - embody the social ideals of Progressive era penal reform, intended to promote the rehabilitation of prisoners through diminishment of harsh conditions and physically imposing containment barriers, encouragement of constructive social interaction, promotion of a work ethic, and access to vocational training. In support of these ideals, all three of the campuses comprising the Reformatory and Workhouse complexes were designed around a central quadrangle reminiscent of a college campus. Each includes a series of prison "dormitories" sited around a central open space intended to promote positive social interaction. The buildings and the campus-like site plans were designed by two notable architects employed by the District of Columbia, Snowden Ashford and Albert Harris. The style of the buildings is predominantly Colonial Revival, a popular style in America during the early twentieth century.
Proposed Revisions to the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District National Register NominationThe National Register registration form for the DC Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District is currently being revised. View a letter that summarizes the proposed changes. Revisions are being made to incorporate newly available information about the district not known at the time of the original nomination in 2005, and to document changes that have taken place. There are no proposed changes to the boundaries of the district and the Period of Significance. The proposed revisions are included in the link below: Public Presentations Three public presentations are scheduled to disburse information about the National Register revision. All meetings are open to the general public.
April 6, 2011, 7:30 pm - History
Commission Monthly Meeting
April 14, 2011, 6:30 pm - Architectural Review
Board Monthly Meeting
April 18, 2011, 7:00 pm - Lorton Heritage Society
Process The original National Register registration form is composed of ten sections; only certain sections are being updated in this revision. Each revised section will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) in full, with the proposed changes noted in bold type. VDHR may make additional changes as they see fit. Major changes are not expected. After VDHR is satisfied with the documentation, the revised form will be forwarded to the National Park Service for a 45 day review period. If accepted, the revision documentation will be added to the original nomination as an addendum. Directions for reviewing and submitting comments Reviewing the Draft The revision draft includes Sections 7 and 8 of the registration form, which provide a narrative description of the property and a statement of significance. For your reference, the original National Register registration form and maps from 2005 can be found above. Changes are shown in the following ways: bold type and red bold type. In the body of the text, changes are noted in bold type. Changes to existing text that was originally in bold type are noted in red bold type. Changes may be as insignificant as a change in punctuation; however, text is bolded and/or color changed red to indicate a change took place (i.e., removal of a comma between two words). Submitting Comments Organizations, agencies, boards and/or groups are requested to provide one set of official comments. The general public is also invited to submit comments. All comments are due by or before Friday, June 17, 2011. Comments should be submitted in writing. Please provide the section number and page number of the draft that corresponds with each comment. Comments may be sent via email to: laurelhill@fairfaxcounty.gov or via mail to:
Department of Planning and Zoning, Planning Division Questions If you have questions about the proposed update, process, review or submittal, please call 703-324-1380 or email laurelhill@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
Website Survey 