Volunteer with HistoriCorps

Volunteer with HistoriCorps to rehabilitate the 1823 Clermont Farm Slave Quarters

Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and The Clermont Foundation 

History

The Clermont property has been owned by only four families in its long history. The first owner, Thomas Fairfax, managed the 5.2 million acre land grant from 1719 to 1753. In 1819, the McCormicks bought the farm and in 1823 built the slave quarters. After the Civil War, they gave portions of the farm to their former slaves. These parcels became Josephine City, one of the largest African-American settlements in Virginia, and which is now part of Berryville. In 1980, Clermont Farm was donated to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to be preserved and retained as an agricultural property. 

How You Can Help 

Volunteers will work and camp on-site. Participants will stabilize the 1823 Slave Quarters under the direction of preservation experts. Over the course of six, one-week sessions, volunteers will: Restore the original topography; Stabilize the dry-stone foundation; Install new cypress shingle roofing; Repair and replace chinking; Restore flooring. Stabilize and reinforce roof framing; Asses and repair log framing; Replace deteriorated clapboard siding; Rehabilitate windows and doors;

When

Volunteers should arrive Sunday evening at 6 pm to set up camp. Work begins Monday morning. Sessions end around 1 pm on Fridays. 

• Session 1: July 12-17 
• Session 2: July 19-24 
• Session 3: July 26-31 
• Session 4: August 9-14 
• Session 5: August 16-21 
• Session 6: August 23-28

Where

Clermont Farm is located in Berryville, VA, 30 minutes East of Winchester, VA. More specific directions will be sent to volunteers in a pre-arrival packet.

Details 

HistoriCorps provides free campsites, tools, safety equipment, and delicious meals. Volunteers are responsible for transportation to and from the site, appropriate work clothes and shoes, and personal camping gear. Participants can receive credit with Lamar Community College’s Historic Building Technology Program. Inquire for details.

About HistoriCorps

HistoriCorps saves and sustains historic places for public benefit through partnerships that foster public involvement, engage volunteers and provide training and education.

Read more about the project and register online here: historicorps.org/clermont-farm/

For more information, contact Rebecca Curry: rcurry@historicorps.org, (303) 893-4260 ext. 225