George Crossman House

George Crossman (1863-1942) was the son of Isaac Crossman (1824-1900)[7] (also spelled Crossmun)[8] who played an important role in the development of the city of Falls Church. In 1864, Isaac Crossman came from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia, where he purchased the 126-acre Osborn-Hunter farm from Cyrus, Seth and Mary Osborn[9] located in the areas now known as Falls Church and East Falls Church.[10] Just a month earlier, his wife Mary Ann Mutersbaugh had died from complications following childbirth, leaving Isaac a widower with six young children. In 1866, Isaac married Elizabeth Peffer. [11] Isaac Crossman was a business and civic leader, serving as Alderman on the first Falls Church Council when the city was incorporated in 1875 and becoming a director of the Fairfax and Georgetown Turnpike Company. He later donated the land for the Christ Crossman Methodist Church.[12] Isaac died of stomach cancer on July 8, 1900 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church.[13]

In 1890, Isaac Crossman deeded approximately 60 acres of land to his son George,[14] who began building Crossman House[15] in anticipation of his upcoming engagement to Nellie Dodge in March 1892.[16] George Crossman was described in the local newspaper as a "popular ladies' man," while Nellie was "one of Lewinsville's fair daughters." After the wedding, the local newspaper reported "the bride was duly installed in a brand new house all furnished and ready for occupancy." [17]

George and Nellie had six children, four of whom survived infancy: William Clark (1894), Florence Celeste (1897), George Isaac (1900) and Mary Louise (1903).[18]

On September 16, 1899 the family made local news when four-year-old William Clark Crossman was gored in the arm by a cow's horn, which cut open six inches of the child's arm, "nearly severing an artery."[19]

Crossman House was repainted green in fall 2017. The house was white for many years, but based on areas of paint uncovered during the 2012 renovation, green is believed to be its historical color.

In 1955, the house was purchased by Stephen and Irmgard Grey, who obtained its historic designation. Mrs. Grey was a secretary for U.S. Senator John Warner (R-VA) and, according to local legend, Warner's then-wife the actress Elizabeth Taylor visited the house.[20] When Stephen Grey sold the house in 1991, it required significant restoration and renovation, which was undertaken by the three subsequent owners. Awarded the 2000 Arlington Heritage Award for restoration, it remains a private residence.

The house is two-story, four-square Late Victorian farmhouse. Although the architect of the Crossman House is unknown, it resembles the type of house that was available through mail-order catalogues in the late 19th century.[21] The house exhibits the characteristics of both the Queen Anne and Folk Victorian styles, including the asymmetrical plan, dominant front-facing gable and use of patterned wood shingles (now asphalt), weatherboards, and projecting bays. The house sits on a fieldstone foundation and has a cross-gable roof. It features an original wraparound front porch with turned posts and balusters.[22]

The house has three staircases. The railing of the main staircase which leads from the entry hall to the second level is decorated with wood squares that were originally made by the Smoot Lumber Company of Alexandria. When the staircase was restored in the 1990s, Smoot was able to locate the original saw blade to make the replacement squares.[23] One of the most interesting and unusual features of the house is the carvings in the exterior eaves that, when the sun shines, creates shadows that make it appear as if birds are flying against the house. The house was painted white for more than 70 years. During the 2012 renovation, the removal of an area of dry wall revealed a layer of green paint on the exterior. Based on the paint discovery and an old photo, the house was recently repainted to what is believed to be more historically accurate colors.

One of the more unusual features of the house is the carving on the eaves. When the sun shines, the shadows create the illusion of flying birds.

The Arlington County Board designated the building to be a local historic district on May 17, 1986.[24] The National Park Service listed the house on the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2003[24]

• List of Arlington County Historic Districts