Use Restrictions

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Walter M. Macomber Old Fairfax Courthouse restoration drawings, C0522, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Donor is unknown.

Processing Information

Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in September 2024. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in October 2024.

Biographical and Historical Information

Walter Mayo Macomber was born on February 25, 1894 in Revere, Massachusetts. Best known for his specialization in restoration of Colonial-period architecture, in 1928, Macomber joined the architectural firm of Perry, Shaw & Hepburn in Boston as an associate member and was subsequently selected to supervise the firm's restoration of Williamsburg, Virginia. From 1928-1934 he supervised the reconstruction and restoration of most major public buildings in the area known today as Colonial Williamsburg, including reconstruction of the Governor's Palace and the Capitol. After moving to Burke in 1946, he worked on numerous historic properties in both Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., including the Fairfax County Historic Courthouse in Fairfax, Gadsby's Tavern, the Ramsay House, and the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Ford's Theater and the City Tavern in Washington, D.C., and, beginning in 1950, served George Washington's Mount Vernon as a consultant for 30 years. Along with his wife, Marian Hunt Macomber, he was also an active member of the local Burke and Fairfax County community, including as one of the founding members of the Fairfax County Historical Landmarks Preservation Commission, now known as the Fairfax County Historical Commission, in 1965. He completed his last major project at the age of 90, restoring the diplomatic reception rooms at the U.S. Department of State. Macomber passed away two years later on January 2, 1987 at the age of 92.

The Old Fairfax Courthouse, also known as the Fairfax County Historic Courthouse, is located at the intersection of Little River Turnpike (also known as Route 236) and Chain Bridge Road in the City of Fairfax, Virginia. Constructed in 1799, the building was originally designed by architect James Wren and officially opened with the hearing of the first court session on April 21, 1800. A cupola and bell were added later in 1844 and in 1967 architect Walter M. Macomber was commissioned to restore the historic look of the courthouse's interior. The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Scope and Content

A total of 52 architectural drawings and plans for the renovation of the Old Fairfax Courthouse by Walter M. Macomber. Most drawings focus on individual details of the courthouse interior and exterior. Attribution to "Walter M. Macomber, Architect for Restoration" is written or stamped on all formal architectural drawings. The collection also includes two smaller sketches with notes that are not signed.

Arrangement

Items are inventoried chronologically and then alphabetically or by numerical order indicated on items. Items are titled and stored indiviually in the map case.

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center holds other collections of architectural designs and Northern Virginia history, including the Civic Association of Hollin Hills records .

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Architecture -- Conservation and restoration
• Architecture -- Designs and plans
• Blueprints
• Buildings
• Courthouses -- Virginia
• Fairfax (Va.)
• Fairfax County (Va.)
• Fairfax County Historic Courthouse (Fairfax, Va.)