Trump-Lilly Farm (Tour)

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Trump-Lilly Farm’s farmhouse was built by Richard Trump ca. 1880. The two-story wood building is stylistically typical of more southern farmhouses. The gabled roof was initially shingled with wooden shakes, though it has been overlaid with asphalt roofing. A sandstone chimney pierces the back wall of the building and would have provided heat for the entire house. The farmhouse is one room deep and divided into two rooms on each floor. Two porches, one on each side of the building, attach to a separate kitchen building. The kitchen was built away from the main home to mitigate the risk of a disastrous fire. Windows are placed irregularly on the main building and are six over six or four over four sash windows. The interior has been somewhat stabilized, but is greatly decayed from its original state.

2. Meat Shed

The meat shed was constructed around 1920. As the name suggests, it was used to store meat for the winter when food was harder to come by. Hogs were butchered and then cut into hams and bacon before being heavily salted for preservation. In addition to meat, this shed was also used to store flour and cornmeal, while the raw grains were stored in the granary. As it is a smaller building, the meat shed utilizes horizontal board construction rather than full logs.

3. Granary

The granary was used for storing corn or other grain crops. These crops served the dual purpose of providing bread for the family and feeding livestock. The granary’s position near the house indicates the importance of the building. This importance is underscored by the slightly raised foundation of the granary. By elevating the building off the ground, there was less chance of mice or other pests infiltrating the stores. The roof has been replaced more recently, but the chestnut logs attached with half-dovetails are original.

4. Springhouse

The springhouse was one of the most vital buildings on Trump-Lilly Farm. One of the first criteria in choosing a place to settle was ensuring access to plentiful clean water. When a natural spring was found at this location, a building to protect it followed soon after. In contrast to many buildings on the farm, the springhouse has rough stone masonry walls. Between the construction materials and natural spring, the building was cool year round, making it a perfect place to store jellies, butter, and dairy products. The springhouse was also where laundry was washed before the completion of the wash house.

5. Wash House

The wash house was built on the property later than most buildings, as construction was completed circa 1948. The springhouse was originally where the family went to do laundry but the wash house replaced it once electricity was run to the homestead. An electric wringer type washing machine was used in this building. A number two wash tub — effectively a large galvanized metal bucket — was also placed in the wash house for personal bathing. Much of the building’s siding was replaced by the National Park Service.

6. Stable

The stable, also known as the “little barn” provided shelter to sheep during the winter months. The structure was collapsing when the National Park Service acquired it and has since been stabilized. The roof has also been covered with modern material to help protect the building from the elements.

7. Main Barn

The main barn was likely one of the first structures built on Trump-Lilly Farm. A relatively simple wooden building, it was used to shelter cattle and draft horses at night or in the winter. Like most buildings on the farm, the logs are hewn from a chestnut grove across what is now Route 26. The logs were squared off to provide additional stability and attached using half-dovetail notching. In addition to housing animals, the barn loft was likely also used for storing farm equipment.

8. Haybarn

The haybarn stored hay and other feed for the livestock. There was also room to shelter additional sheep or other livestock that would not fit in the stable during the winter.

This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.

Trump-Lilly Farm

Created by Iain MacKay on June 3rd 2021, 8:38:51 pm.

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The Trump-Lilly Farm is a quintessential example of subsistence farming in West Virginia. The farm is named for two families that occupied the homestead between 1888 and the latter half of the twentieth century. Life was difficult on the farm. The families grew crops, raised animals, hunted local game, and foraged whatever they could. Almost all of the buildings erected to serve the farm are still standing in their original condition, a contrast to many other farm buildings in Appalachia, which were demolished or modernized. This property is now owned by the National Park Service, which has stabilized and preserved the buildings and grounds as a space to visit and see what frontier life was like.

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Trump-Lilly Farm

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