Architectural Scavenger Hunt
New Clue
This terra cotta sculpture sits high atop the oldest remaining building in its Historic District. It is accompanied by eight other "furry" friends.
Volume 3 Issue 1 Answer
Clue
The date inscribed on this brick notes the construction date of this Smithsonian building, which makes it the oldest Smithsonian structure still in its original location.
Answer
The Sellman House, also known as Woodlawn, located at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland. The original building was constructed c. 1735 as a residence for William and Ann Sellman. The original structure was modified in 1841 with a Greek Revival style addition on the north side and in 1979 with a modern passive solar addition on the south side. Today, Woodlawn is home to SERC’s Visitor Center and the Environmental Archeology Lab (https://serc.si.edu/labs/archaeology). The first floor of the building is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, and features exhibits about the history of the house, its occupants, and the site, including archeological artifacts recovered by the Environmental Archaeology Lab.
