Restoration Plan

Restoring History

Ward Hall was acquired by the Ward Hall Preservation Foundation in mid-2004. The foundation focuses its attention on the much needed restoration of the exterior of the building.

Unlike so many other great buildings which saw much change, Ward Hall has seen little change since its construction over 160 years ago. The house was completed in 1857 as the summer home for Scott County natives, Junius and Matilda Viley Ward.

The 12,000 square-foot mansion with 27-foot high fluted columns and cast-iron Corinthian capitals measures 62 feet wide and 69 feet long with a 65-foot long grand hall with magnificent plaster decoration in the hall and the formal rooms taken from Lafever's designs in the classical taste.

The Ward family suffered serious financial reverses after the Civil War, and the house and plantation were sold in 1867. Since then, there have been approximately 13 owners, but none has made major changes to the structure. Fortunately for the preservation foundation, that leaves a virtually intact house, including the very important 4,000 square-foot basement where servants lived and worked.

Nonetheless, immediate work is needed to prevent further decay and damage to the house.

Photography by Bob Willcutt