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Patteson~Schutte House
Located in off of Forest Hill Avenue at 5600 Westower Drive in South Richmond stands the Patteson~Schutte House. Believed to be built by James Patteson, as associate of William Byrd III, the house was originally part of a large 731 acre plantation along the southern banks of the James River. James Patteson lived from 1723-1767 which indicates that the house was built sometime during that period, likely in the 1750's. Whatever the actual date of construction, the house clearly dates back to the founding of Richmond. Calder Loth, senior architectural stated in a site review memo earlier this year, Mr Loth states:
"In summary, except for the loss of the mantels, the interior retains most of tis original woodwork - stair, doors, door frames, window frames, chair boards, and baseboards. While not a grand house, it was a residence of the gentry class, a carefully constructed, distinctly Virginia structure worth of preservation. While originally built as a Chesterfield Counter planter's residence, today it is among the very few 18th century frames structures within the city limits of Richmond"
Side View
2005 photo of living room showing fireplace, hinges original paneling, heart pine floors.
A Richmond Times Dispatch article from the May 13, 1977 edition describes the interior of the house:
"The construction of the house, including the foundation, English basement with handmade brick walls. Flemish bond construction, cellar cap side entrances to the basement, wide heart pine beams and wooden pegs date the house from the mid-18th century. Other details of note are the shoestring latch, the H & L hinges, Cross and Bible doors, Carpenter locks with English Crown Keepers, heard pine floors in some rooms and the wide Maryland Chimney which allows for a larger and smaller fireplace in the adjoining room"
2005 photo of living room view of Side Cupboard Interior
The view shown here is in the living room showing the original cupboard to the right of the fireplace with the door open. The interior of the door is not painted white like the rest of the wood trim in the house. Calder Loth, Senior Architectural Historian with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, believes the paint on the interior of this door to be original, dating it back to 1785. The details in the house also survive intact as evidenced in the photographs below:
2005 photo 2005 photo
English Door lock w/ Gold Crown insignia Original hand-hewn Carpenter Lock
2005 photo of upstairs bedroom
The interior on the house survives remarkably intact As anyone can see from these April '05 photographs, the Patteson-Schutte House is rather remarkably intact and solid.
Stone fireplace from the original detached kitchen
Additional 2005 images of the Historic Patteson~Schutte house along with pictures of the nearby family cemetery dating back to the same period.
Interior of wall showing split lath and wall studs
Original chair rail and wall dado
Entrance to Patteson~Schutte Family Cemetery
Detail of Granite Wall surrounding Patteson~Schutte Cemetery
WHO WOULD DEMOLISH SUCH
A HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL GEM?!
THE FATE OF THIS UNIQUE STRUCTURE
HANGS IN LIMBO
IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO SAVE THIS IRREPLACEABLE PIECE OF RICHMOND'S HISTORY. HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Call or write the developer building the sub-division on the site of the Patteson~Schutte house to encourage them to revise the sub-division that will allow the house to remain
on its current site
The Nolde Company
9830 Mayland Drive / Richmond VA 23233
Phone: 935-7111 or 240-1639
* Contact the Mayor's office at the city of Richmond to ask for the city to mediate with the developer to retain the house on its current site
Office of Mayor L. Douglas Wilder: 646-7970
Email: WILDERLD@CI.RICHMOND.VA.US
___________________________________________
Below are news articles outlining the story of this remarkable property. Click on each link to read the about another of Richmond's most historic houses.
August 8, 2005 - Preservation Online (National Trust): Developer Gets Permission to Raze Richmond's Oldest House, Margaret Foster
July 27, 2005 - Richmond Times~Dispatch, Letter to the Editor: Westower Property Merits Preservation, Nancy Harding, Unionville VA
July 13, 2005 - Richmond Times~Dispatch: An 18th century treasure or an expendable old house? by Dena Sloan
July 13, 2005 - Style Weekly: Subdivision Threatens Historic Cemetery by Scott Bass
June 22, 2005 - Style Weekly: House from 1700's Closer to Demolition by Scott Bass
June 1, 2005 - Style Weekly: House Built in 1700's Faces Demolition by Scott Bass
If you have comments, questions or if you might have
additional information about the house that might help us save it,
please contact us immediately at:
A.C.O.R.N.
422-2148
info@richmondneighborhoods.org
All photos of the Patteson~Schutte House courtesy of Dr. Maurice Duke