Courtesy of Hampton National Historic Site, National Park Service

Georgian architecture
Hampton mansion reflects a style of architecture, developed in the 1750s, which is characterized by formal, symmetrical arrangements and classical details. Hampton's formal Georgian design follows the traditional five-part plan: a main house or "block," two flanking wings, and "hyphens" - enclosed passages which connect the wings to the central block.

Indentured servants were men and women who, in exchange for the price of passage, food, clothing, and shelter, were contracted to work for a specified period of time in the service of the holder of the contract. In the mid- to late-1700s, many of Hampton's indentured workers were from the England and Ireland.

Ice House
An ice house was a special outbuilding found on many large estates. The structure stored ice cut from ponds in the winter and used during the hot summer months. With its subterranean, circular, stone-lined shaft, Hampton's ice house is unique because it is larger and deeper than average. The Hampton ice house was probably constructed at the same time as the mansion in 1790. Menus at Hampton show that different flavors of ice cream, presumably made from Hampton ice, were served for dessert during formal dinners.



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