Through photos shared in social media, I’ve learned that this house, known as the Marcus McNair House, is presently being dismantled. I believe the lumber and other elements are being salvaged. This is an important vernacular house and it’s my understanding that it has remained in the same family since it was built in 1884. I’m glad I was able to document it and am glad the family did their best to save the house as long as they could. It’s very expensive to maintain these large old houses and in some cases, the liabilities outweigh the benefits. Preservation should always be the first option, but it’s not for me, or anyone else, to judge what someone does with their own property. I’m sure it was a difficult decision to go forward with this process.
