The schoolroom.
The winter kitchen.
THE WINTER KITCHEN. The huge fireplace in the winter kitchen under the north wing helped to warm the rooms above during the cold months of the year. The portion of the room beyond the chimney was used as a laundry.
THE WINE CELLAR. A quarterly return from one of Mr. Custis’ estates, dated 1822, lists “2 hogsheads of cider, 2 barrels of A[pple] Brandy” as having been sent to Arlington. It was probably stored in this cool, dark room, together with the scuppernong wine made from grapes grown along the edge of the garden north of the mansion. Here also were kept the choicer vintages used for entertaining.
THE SERVANTS’ QUARTERS. Two low buildings which harmonize architecturally with the main house form two sides of the court in the rear of the mansion. That on the north had a summer kitchen in the basement, its other rooms being occupied by the family servants. Perhaps because dampness made it unhealthy, the basement was filled in some years before 1861, but it is now restored to its original condition. The well between this building and the house is original, though the stone coping and roof are a restoration.
The north servants’ quarters and the well.
The corresponding building to the south was familiarly known as “Selina’s House,” because its western end was occupied by Mrs. Lee’s personal maid, Selina Gray, and her family. The middle room was the smokehouse, and on the east end was the storeroom where nonperishable household provisions were kept. The small panels over the doors were originally painted by Mr. Custis, the one in the center depicting General Washington’s war horse and the others, American eagles. Old photographs show similar panels decorating the north quarters, but these have long since weathered away.