Very few pre-Civil War free African American homesteads exist for archeological study, making the Robinson House unusual. According to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, federal agencies must properly maintain historical and cultural resources located on lands they manage or own. Therefore, the home's location within the Manassas National Battlefield Park prevented it from being torn down.

The historic house was occupied by Robinson’s family until the early 20th century, eventually becoming the victim of arson in 1993. The family, which maintained a deep connection to the site, was understandably disturbed by the home’s near-total destruction. Sensitive to their feelings, park officials contacted the Robinson family after the 1993 fire in order to reach a consensus about what to do with the site. 

Park officials and family members were faced with two choices: stabilize the still-standing parts of the house and rebuild the portions that were destroyed by the fire, or tear down the remaining structure and conduct archeological and architectural studies of the material remains.

Rebuilding the house would reestablish a visual memorial to the family and other African Americans, but archeological research could reveal new insights into the changing lifeways of free African Americans. It could also provide a more deeply researched commemoration of their lives.

Working together, park officials and family members decided to proceed with the archeological research, which included excavation, architectural studies, and oral history interviews with James Robinson’s descendants.