Historic Stempson House is located on Furnace Road in Lorton.
Fairfax Station — The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is accepting applications for the rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the historic Stempson House, located on Furnace Road in Lorton. The Resident Curator Program provides the opportunity for individuals, non-profit and for-profit organizations to enter into long-term lease agreements in public park settings such as Laurel Hill Park in Fairfax County. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for a financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties. The deadline for submitting applications for Stempson House is Feb. 17, 2017. Stempson House will be shown by appointment only. For an appointment or more information contact Project Manager Denice Dressel at Denice.Dressel@FairfaxCounty.gov or by calling 703-324-9569.
The circa 1937 Stempson House is a vernacular style residence with Colonial Revival style elements. The house is significant due to its association with the Occoquan Workhouse and Reformatory, later known as Lorton Prison, which incorporated Progressive Era reform ideals, and for its association with the Women’s Suffrage movement of the early 1900s. In 1910, the land on which the Stempson House is located was purchased by the United States federal government for the prison. In 1937, amongst the Lorton Reformatory orchard trees, prisoners constructed a residence for a prison officer. It is likely that prisoners constructed the house, under the direction of prison engineers, using bricks manufactured at the prison brick kiln. Ultimately, the residence was converted for use by the prison security office.
The three bay by two bay frame house measures approximately 1,500 square feet with a garage of approximately 400 square feet. It has three porches. The basement walls, chimneys, portico floors, walkways and basement areaways are of brick construction. The construction materials and methods used are typical of residential housing construction in the early 1930s. The home has a living room, office, kitchen, dining room, 3 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 2 half baths and an unfinished attic.
To qualify as a potential lessee in the Resident Curator Program, FCPA is seeking proposals for the rehabilitation of the Stemspon House and garage outbuilding in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Curators will be determined through an open and competitive process, based on a number of criteria, including a formal proposal, demonstrated experience and competency in historic preservation techniques, financial capabilities, and the incorporation of public benefits.
For application forms and additional information visit online at Resident Curator Program.