Adobe House in Fork Union, VA - Carnegie Survey 20th Century

This vintage photograph, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures a small adobe house located in Fork Union, Virginia, within Fluvanna County. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a significant collection that documents various architectural styles throughout the region. Adobe houses, like the one depicted, are rare in Virginia, making this image an important representation of a unique building style.

The house showcases the distinctive characteristics of adobe construction, which utilizes sun-dried earth and organic materials. This technique not only reflects the cultural influences present in the area but also highlights the adaptation of building methods to local resources. The photograph serves as a valuable historical record, contributing to the understanding of regional architecture and community life in early 20th-century Virginia.

Acquired from the Frances Benjamin Johnston estate in 1953, this image continues to be an essential part of American architectural history and is preserved in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress.