Barcroft Neighborhood Conservation Plan
Historic Preservation
Barcroft residents are keenly interested in historic preservation. Until 1985, Barcroft had two major historic sites: the Barcroft Community House and "Woodmeade" (later known as the Payne House). Woodmeade, a two story 1893 frame "farmhouse" style home in a beautiful setting of huge oaks, along with a stone springhouse (which may have been the last of its kind in Arlington), was destroyed by developers in 1985 to build a cluster home development on South Pershing Drive. To the dismay of the community, the developer also destroyed the huge oak trees on the property. Site Plan requirements and determined County efforts to prevent the destruction of the trees were ineffective.
The Barcroft Community House remains both an historic building and the focus of community spirit. It is located at the corner of 8th Street South and South Buchanan Streets, and is owned by the BSCL. It was originally built during the summer of 1908 by church members to house the Methodist Episcopal Church of Barcroft. It served as the school for the neighborhood from 1908 to 1925. The building was designated as an Arlington Historic District in 1984. The community house is still in active use for the monthly meetings of the BSCL and for a wide range of neighborhood activities. In 1989 the BSCL formed a Restoration Committee to assess the need for refurbishment of the building's interior and exterior. No changes can be made to the building's exterior without approval of Arlington's Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board.
At present the Barcroft Community House is rented to St. Georges Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. The Church holds its regular Sunday services in the building, and its icons and other religious relics are prominent among the interior decorations. Revenue from the rent is used by the BSCL for upkeep of the building and grounds. Since BSCL meetings are rarely held on Sundays, this usage of the building is fully compatible with its status as the Barcroft Community House. The BSCL intends to preserve the Community House in a well kept state as the focal point of community spirit in the neighborhood. It is interested in exploring the possibilities of designation of the building as a State landmark and placing it on the National Register, particularly to qualify for maintenance grants.
Recommendation #41
Barcroft Community House
A. In keeping with the Historic District protection, the County should not permit any inappropriate or encroaching development in the section of the neighborhood adjoining the Barcroft Community House. The Barcroft School and Civic League requests that it be consulted whenever a zoning variance, zoning change or use permit is considered in the area surrounding the building.
B. The BSCL requests the County to assist in exploring the designation of the Barcroft Community House as a State landmark and the possibility of placing it on the National Register.
Historic Home Preservation
In addition to the Community House, Barcroft has a number of frame farmhouse-style homes built in the vicinity of Columbia Pike in the late 1800s which are clearly candidates for historic status. The neighborhood also has at least one Sears home and a Lustron enameled steel home. The neighborhood as a whole may qualify for designation by Arlington County as a Neighborhood Historic District.
A survey of Barcroft's housing was begun some years ago by a group interested in the historic aspects of Barcroft's homes. Responses on the neighborhood questionnaire indicate that although some individual property owners are interested in the protections such a designation could provide, others would strongly oppose designation as an historic neighborhood because they do not want limitations on their discretion to make changes to the exterior of their homes. For this reason, this NC Plan does not attempt to address the question of eventual designation as a Neighborhood Historic District.
Recommendation #42
Historic Home Preservation
Individual owners of historic homes in Barcroft should learn about the County's Historic District Program and decide if they wish to pursue designation of their home.
This page was revised on: August 27, 2004.
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