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During the American Civil War, the courthouse was owned by Wilmer McLean Ironically, because the First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, took place on the McLean farm farther north in VirginiaVirginia is one of the original 13 states of the United States that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution and is generally classified as part of the South. Its official name is the Commonwealth of Virginia it is one of four Commonwealth, it can be said that the Civil War started in McLean's backyard in 1861 and ended in his parlor in 1865 (neither event, however, marked the true beginning or ending of hostilities).
McLean was a retired Major in the Virginia militia, but was too old to enlist at the outbreak of the Civil War and decided to move into the Appomattox Court House in order to get away from the Civil War. On April 9, 1865, ironically, the war came back to McLean when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant at the court house. The house was also used on April 10 for the Surrender Commissioners' meeting, and over the next few days as the Headquarters of Major General John Gibbon, U.S.A.
The McLeans left Appomattox Court House and returned to Mrs. McLean's Prince William County, VirginiaPrince William County is a county located in the State of Virginia. As of 2000, the population is 280,813. Its county seat is Manassas 6. This county is a part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Geography According to the U. Census Bureau, the estateAn Estate is the grounds and often farmland and woods surrounding a very large property, such as a country house or mansion. It may refer to just the grounds or to the property and all other cottages and villages in the same ownership as the mansion itsel in the fall of 1867Events January 8 African-American men granted the right to vote in the District of Columbia January 11 Benito Juarez becomes Mexican president again January 30 Emperor Komei of Japan dies. Crown Prince Mutsuhito is expected to become the next Emperor of J. When Wilmer McLean defaulted on repayment of loans, the banking house of "Harrison, Goddin, and Apperson" of Richmond, VirginiaRichmond is the capital of Virginia, a state (officially the Commonwealth of Virginia of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 197,790. Like all Virginia municipalities incorporated as cities it is an inde brought a judgement against him, and the "Surrender House" was sold at public auction on November 29November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 32 days remaining. Events 1777 San Jose, California, is founded as el Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe''. It is the first civilian settlement, or pueblo, 18691869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). Events March 1 North German Confederation issues 10 gr and 30gr value stamps, printed on goldbeater's skin May 10 Transcontinental Railroad completed at Promontory, Utah. May 15 Wo. The house was purchased by John L. Pascoe and apparently rented to the Ragland family formerly of Richmond. In 1872Events January 2 Brigham Young, is arrested for bigamy (25 wives). February 20 In New York City the Metropolitan Museum of Art opens. March 1 Yellowstone National Park is established as the world's first national park March 5 George Westinghouse patents t Nathaniel H. Ragland purchased the property for $1250.00.
On January 1, 1891, the property was sold by the Widow Ragland for the sum of $10,000 to Captain Myron Dunlap of Niagara Falls, New York. Myron Dunlap and fellow speculators went through two or three plans intending to capitalize on the notoriety of the property, one idea was to dismantle the home and move it to Chicago as an exhibit at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Measured drawings including elevations and materials specifications lists were produced, the house was dismantled and packed for shipping, but due to cash flow and legal problems the plan was never brought to fruition. The home sat dismantled in piles prey to vandals, collectors, and the environment for fifty years.
On April 10, 1940, Appomattox Court House National Historical Monument was created by the U.S. Congress to include approximately 970 acres (3.9 km˛). In February 1941 archeological work was begun at the site, then overgrown with brush and honeysuckle. Historical data was collected, and architectural working plans were drawn up to begin the meticulous reconstruction process. The whole project was brought to a swift stop on December 7, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces causing the United States' entry into World War II.
On November 25, 1947, bids for the reconstruction of the McLean House were opened and on April 9, 1949, eighty-four years after the historic meeting reuniting the country, the McLean House was opened by the National Park Service for the first time to the public. Major General U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee IV cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony on April 16, 1950, after a speech by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Douglas Southall Freeman in front of a crowd of approximately 20,000.
part of this article is from http://www.nps.gov/apco/