Sweet Hall, King William County, VA - Historic 1794 Building

This vintage photograph captures the historic Sweet Hall vicinity in King William County, Virginia. The image features a structure built in 1794 by James Ruffin, notable for its gambrel roof and prominent chimneys. This architectural style reflects the building techniques and aesthetics prevalent in early American homes.

Sweet Hall is significant not only for its construction date but also for the ruins of an older house on the property, with brick dating back to the 1600s. This connection to earlier colonial architecture provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of the region.

The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which aimed to document and preserve American architectural heritage. Frances Benjamin Johnston, the photographer, contributed her work to this important collection, highlighting the enduring legacy of Virginias historical buildings. The photograph serves as a valuable educational resource for those interested in the architectural history of the United States.