How to Use the Images

Table of
Contents

Photo 1: Chatham, c. 1862.

Photo 2: Chatham as it appears today.

The plantation declined after the Civil War and diminished from almost 1300 acres to 30 acres. Chatham was renovated in the 1920s by the owners, but was not donated to the National Park Service until 1975. It now serves as the park headquarters and an exhibit building.

Questions for Photos 1 & 2

1. What evidence suggests that Photo 1 was taken during the Civil War?

2. Carefully examine Photo 2 and list several changes that have occurred to the house since Photo 1 was taken. Look closely at Photo 2 for physical evidence of Chatham’s appearance during the Civil War.

3. Why do you think the appearance of the home changed over time? What might be some considerations that determine how a building is preserved?

4. Do you think the purpose it serves now is appropriate? Why or why not? What would you have done with the house?

* The photos on this screen have a resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi), and therefore will print poorly. You can obtain a high quality version of Photo 1 and Photo 2, but be aware that each file will take as much as 30 seconds to load with a 28.8K modem.