This is the Cherry Hill house located in the city of Falls Church, VA. Cherry Hill farm was once part of the pre-revolutionary war plantation located at the crossroads of a trial leading from Winchester to Alexandria, and another trail leading to the little falls on the Potomac River. The farmhouse was built by William Harley in 1845 but was later sold in 1848 to George Steele because of bankruptcy. about 10 years later in 1856 the farmhouse was sold again to William Blaisdell who then relocated his family there. The farmhouse is presented as a historic monument that is publicly displayed and people can go visit it everyday.
The Story behind this farmhouse is that it was involved in the Civil War as a spectator and participant since the property was crossed many times by the Union troops and the Confederates who used it as a encampment. There’s even a story of a skirmish fought in Mr. Blaisdell peach orchid and records on the farmhouse website does mention that there was indeed a peach orchid, and there’s even archeological evidence of shell fragments, buttons, and union soldier belt buckles have been found on the property. In addition to that there’s even mention that after the battle at Bull Run the Confederates occupied Falls Church for 2 months and that some residents even fled but Mr. Blaisdell remained as his wife had just given birth 2 weeks prior to the battle.
This is a incredibly important to the past because it’s involvement during the Civil war as both a spectator and participant. In addition there’s even Archeological objects that were found which backs up what the website mentions and those objects can be used as a primary source.
The communication of this historical farmhouse to history shows the architecture of the time, the landscape of the property. The farmhouse also cites public history since this landmark is publicly available to anyone who wants to visit it, or anyone that wants to do research on it since the farmhouse is still standing today and people can go visit it engages people to ask more questions that haven’t been asked yet.
This landmark can easily be used as a mark between digital and traditional history.
References: https://fallschurchva.gov/465/Cherry-Hill-Farmhouse