When Virginia Beach’s historic Francis Land House closed for preservation and restoration in July 2020, few anticipated that the essential overhaul of the historic structure would take over five years.

“We had an amazing turnout. We had probably 800 people who reserved tickets online. It’s been constant since we opened,” said Mary Taylor, an interpreter with the Virginia Beach History Museums. “There has been lots of traffic. It’s been great.”

The initial focus of the preservation project was to mitigate moisture problems that had developed in the dwelling’s foundation, brick walls, and cellar floor over decades — and forestall any future reoccurrences.

For six generations, the Francis Land family lived on the property and cultivated the land. The house, according to dendrochronological analysis, was constructed circa 1805. The existing structure was believed to have been built by Francis Moseley Land and was surrounded at one time by hundreds of acres of farmland.

“It’s Georgian style, although it was built in the very early 19th century. It’s very symmetrical,” said Mark Reed, historical preservation planner in Virginia Beach.

This French drain at The Francis Land House in Virginia Beach is designed to reduce moisture and water damage by directing and controlling the flow of water. (Bob Ruegsegger/For The Virginian-Pilot)

“The building was originally a story and a half but was modified into a two-story building,” Reed said. “It has a gambrel roof, a typical style of roofing for buildings that have survived from the 1790’s to the early 1800’s.”

In 1975, the City of Virginia Beach purchased the house and seven acres of adjoining property for $735,000. Beginning in 1986, the city operated the home as a house museum to host a range of historic programs, local events and cultural exhibits.

“The best parts of the craftsmanship are actually in the front of the house over the windows and the door. The rubbed brick arches are very well crafted,” Reed said. “Certainly, someone with a great deal of skill was involved in that part of the project when it was originally constructed around 1805.”

Initially, the main emphasis of the recent work was to try to abate the amount of moisture that was entering the building and starting to deteriorate some of the brickwork, mortar and the interior. The moisture levels were high, and as the project proceeded, the contractors found more and more damage.

“Moisture is probably the biggest enemy of these historic buildings. We find a lot of it here in Virginia with the humidity and the rainfall,” Reed said.

Reed said brick and mortar was repaired and the drainage system around the building was replaced. The existing waterproofing on the structure was also removed and replaced by bentonite panels as a means of keeping moisture away from the building by absorbing dampness.

Before the renovation, the house had a halon gas fire suppression system. That system has been replaced by a water activated foam fire suppression system.

“The plan was to close the Francis Land House for repairs in July of 2020. We moved all the staff offices from the second floor in July and we relocated the staff,” said Emily Labows, director of the Cultural Affairs Department in Virginia Beach. “We put all the collections in storage and then started from there. We’ve been closed since July of 2020. We’ve had some starts and stops because of COVID.”

In the interim, the Cultural Affairs Department has developed an interpretive plan for all the city’s historic houses, including the Thoroughgood House and Lynnhaven House.

“It’s a comprehensive master plan for all the history museums that we oversee,” Labows said. “We want to activate the house — inside and out — with community programs, seasonal programs and actual tours. Our interpretive plan gives us a good road map for planning for the future,” she said.

The ultimate goal was, of course, to preserve the Land House for generations to enjoy.

“It’s just been refreshed. Up on the second floor, we have beautiful new exhibits,” Labows said. “The exhibits are fantastic — high quality.”

One of the most exciting new features of the interpretive program, according to Alex Dye, media and communications coordinator with Virginia Beach, is an interpretive experience called “augmented reality.”

“It’s an application that can be downloaded via phone or device and used at launch points — signage — around the house,” Dye said. “Some are very interactive. We think it’s a great new experience to add to the visitor experience and connect different generations.”

Bob Clark and Rose Ann Arnaud were among the local musicians on site to provide music for the public grand reopening event last Sunday.

“They wanted to have a big celebration to let the public know it’s open again,” Clark said. “It’s good to have people back in the house. It’s just wonderful.”

The reopening was the first visit to the home for Virginia Beach residents Toby Rehak and his family.

“It’s interesting to see people dressed historically, see how they would have lived, and talk about the different aspects of their daily lives,” Rehak said.

Local resident Ann Walls was also impressed.

“It’s beautifully redone. All new paint and all new displays,” Walls said. “I especially enjoyed the Rose Hall Dress Shop exhibit. I didn’t really know about that.”

The reopening also attracted some visitors from outside the area. Monica Arleth of Somers Point, New Jersey, was among them.

“I’ve loved old houses since my mother took me to Betsy Ross’s house in Philadelphia when I was a little girl. Every old house is like a miracle to me that it has survived.”

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