Building Adena
16-17 January 1805: | In Washington, D.C., Worthington served on a Senate Committee to evaluate Latrobe's plans for the Capitol. |
February 1805 (approx.): | In Washington,
Latrobe commissioned by Worthington to design a country house. |
7 August
1805: | "Hired man to pick out limestone at the river." Thomas Worthington Diary. |
2 September 1805: | Latrobe's plans delivered to
Worthington in Washington. |
| Fall 1805: | In Ohio, Eleanor and Thomas Worthington reviewed Latrobe's drawings. |
December 1805: | In Washington, Worthington discussed changes to the drawings
with Latrobe. |
April 1806: | Worthington
approved Latrobe's plans for Adena. |
10 June 1806, Ohio: |
"Commenced the laying of stone in the walls of my house with 4 masons." Worthington diary. |
Fall 1806: | Worthington hired Conrad Christman and George
McCormick to do the carpentry for Adena. |
4 August 1807,
Ohio: | "Mr. English came to lathe and plaster." Worthington diary. |
14 August 1807, Ohio: | "It will be finished in a few weeks
and will be one of the best and most tasty houses not only of this state but the westward of the Allegheny mountains."
Traveler Fortescue Cuming on Adena. |
Fall 1807: | Worthington family moved into Adena. |
Fall 1808,
Baltimore: | Wallpaper for Adena picked out by James Swearingen, Eleanor's brother. |
September 1811: | Worthington adopted the name Adena
for his house and estate. |
The Worthingtons and Adena
1814-1818: | Worthington served as sixth governor of Ohio. |
1815 to 1817: | Garden terraces constructed. |
June 20, 1827: | Thomas Worthington died in New York
City. |
December 24, 1848: | Eleanor Worthington died at
Adena. |
| 1849: | James T. Worthington, eldest son of Thomas
and Eleanor Worthington, moved his family into Adena. |
April 4, 1856: | James T. Worthington's wife Julia
Galloway Worthington died at Adena. |
December 4, 1856: |
James T. Worthington married his second wife, Martha A. Piatt Reed. |
August 11, 1881: | James T. Worthington died at Adena. |
1896: | Martha Piatt Reed Worthington died at Adena. |
From the Smiths to the State of Ohio
July 28, 1903:
| George Hunter Smith, Chillicothe businessman, and his family, purchased Adena. |
Summer 1904: | Smith's completed remodeling and redecorating
the house |
Ca. Mid-1920s: | Smith's
redecorate Adena in Colonial Revival style, add bay window to east wing and construct additional porches. |
1946: | Smith heirs gave Adena to the state of Ohio. The Ohio Historical Society administers the site
for the people of Ohio. |
The Restoration of Adena
1947:
| The Ohio Historical Society partially restored the Drawing room and opened the house for
tours. |
1948-1952: | Building investigation determines the original configuration of rooms. Paint analysis
based on contemporary methods determines the original paint colors used in Adena. |
1953: | Restoration completed and house opened to the public. |
1953 to 1960s: | Furnishings for the second floor purchased and installed. |
1969-1971: | Outbuildings reconstructed on original foundations: barn, spring house, tenant house. |
1997: | Research began for a new restoration of Adena. |
1999-2000: | Archaeology conducted west of house; new outbuildings discovered. |
2002: | Paint analysis based on contemporary methods determines the original paint colors in Adena.
Investigation of the building results in the discovery of the original library wallpaper. |
CHRONOLOGY
Building Adena
