719 Ebenezer Road , Amherst, VA 24521(Amherst County)

The two earliest names associated with this residence are Joseph Wilson and Andrew Monroe (1734-1808) who grew up together in 18th century Tidewater, Virginia. As early as 1765, Joseph Wilson began buying land in Amherst County. It is believed Joseph Wilson and Andrew Monroe were brothers-in-law through Andrews wife, Sarah. In any event, Joseph Wilson built this gem now called Weekley in 1791 and sold it to Andrew and Sarah in 1798 with 262 acres. Perhaps Andrews move was stimulated by his age, then 74 to Sarahs 43, and the opportunity to get close to her relatives. Andrew died at Weekley in 1808 followed by Sarah in 1825. Their graves and stones are located just east of the house.

Weekley was acquired by the present owner in 1999 with 83 acres. He found the core of the historic structure in a remarkable state of preservation. At some point in the early 20th century a wing had been added to the rear to incorporate plumbing. The current owner engaged Virginia Limeworks to assess the structure and supervise restoration. Virginia Limeworks is an Amherst company with a reputation for exceptional historic restoration having been actively involved in the work at Thomas Jeffersons Poplar Forest, James Madisons Montpelier, among others.

Virginia Limeworks developed strategies and products previously unavailable to achieve their high standards for restoration. Among them, Enviro-Ment Building Systems or EMU - environmental masonry units. These masonry block are made without Portland cement using instead hydraulic lime as the binder creating a breathable and hygenic building unit resistant to fire and mold. These EMUs are then filled with a lime-based grout to perform a carbon-dioxide sequestering function as well as insulation. The result is 80% carbon neutral and is, perhaps, the only building material of its kind. The insulating factor is R-27 in a 16 EMU wall. This strategy has applications for old and new has been used in restoring Weekley.

The owner found the structural integrity of the Weekley house compromised by a rotting center beam in the crawlspace. Immediately the house was properly supported, raised to remove the old beam when structural integrity was restored with three white oak beams. The crawlspace was then covered with a lime based concrete floor to enhance the air quality that would naturally move through the residence.

The chimney adjoining the original Ladies Chamber had badly deteriorated. Outside was found the original stone lintel and the chimney was restored with a soapstone firebox and throat as would have been original. The Mens Chamber chimney was inspected and restored as well. Both chimneys were then painted with a lime-based paint and lined with stainless steel to be fully operational.

The original interior components of the Weekley house are in themselves a museum piece for 18th century construction of a gentlemans home. The lumber was pit-sawn and rose-head nails are consistent with pre-1800 construction. In place, too, are the original heart pine floors, the mouldings, hand-stenciled doors, forged H hinges and many of the original locks and door handles. Floor joists, windows, roof rafters are all dove-tailed construction. These components are so pure in their integrity that they served as a model for the restoration of much larger historic homes.

The owner elected to replace the rear addition with something more consistent in construction and style including going to the extent of adopting 18th century building practices while adding baths, modern heating, plumbing & electrical to make full use of the old. Plumbing for the entire structure has been roughed-in. Wiring and ductwork are in place for completion. The walls of the new section are scored and ready for plastet. Mouldings are already milled to match the old section.

The entire structure is clad in beaded weatherboard heart pine on the old and poplar on the new and capped with a 40 year galvanized steel standing seam roof. The EMU walls are 16 thick on the garden level and 11 thick on the main level of the new section. The same EMO insulation was added to the original house, which of course, had no insulation when restoration began.

With the exception of small portions of the exterior walls on the new section, the weatherboard has been painted with a 25 year paint. Those walls not painted are being weathered to enhance paint adhesion.

Outside the private entrance to the Ladies Chamber, waiting for restoration, is the 18th century log kitchen. This has largely collapsed with stone chimney remnants.

Weekley is located equidistant between Charlottesville and Danville, Virginia just off Rte. 29 and minutes from the historic Town of Amherst. Immediately across the road from Weekley is Poplar Grove Golf Course, the last 18 hole design by famed golfer Sam Snead. In Amherst, too, is Sweet Briar College, founded in 1901 and today one of the Nations premier liberal arts and sciences colleges for women.