Graffiti House

During a 1993 renovation, the removal of many layers of paint revealed pencil, crayon and charcoal signatures, messages, and drawings, some of which look as fresh as the day they were created. Presumably etched by bed bound soldiers—and also by federal troops who later occupied the building—the inscriptions are commemorations of valor, declarations of love, and simple “Kilroy was here” notations. One particularly delightful drawing is a man sporting a derby hat and mutton chops saying that he “smells a rebel”. J.E.B. Stuart’s name figures prominently among the autographs, as it was his cavalry that was caught off guard by the Union troops.
 
So here’s to the creative minds and impromptu art of our civil war predecessors on both sides, and to a taste of their history  - such that you can imbibe without a textbook. 

Photo by Mark Rout