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1936. "Bacon's Castle, James River vicinity, Surry County, Virginia. Built by Arthur Allen circa 1660. Seized and fortified during Bacon's Rebellion in 1676." 8x10 inch acetate negative by Frances Benjamin Johnston. View full size.
Lots of what my Dad calls Muddaubers Wasp nests in there. We had a lot of them in our barn. They never really bothered you if you left them alone.
@Lost World: Those look like dirt-dauber nests. IME they're quite docile and easy to co-exist with. I'd be lots more freaked out if they were yellowjacket nests. Those boogers are MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAN.
...there are quite a few dirt-dauber [mud-dauber] nests amongst the rafters.
Because it was built in the 1600's, the wood was probably from trees planted in that century or even in the 1500's, and the bricks would also have to have been manufactured around that time. That would make those materials almost 400 years old when photographed. My house was built in 1965 and I'll be lucky if it lasts as long as I do. Even just maintaining it never ends.
I imagine Frances snapped this picture and then beat a hasty retreat.
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