On March 14, 2001, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) State Review Board formally concurred with the VDHR National Register Evaluation Team that The Hollow meets the eligibility requirements for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The next step is for the State Review Board to endorse and forward the nomination to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which administers the National Register of Historic Places.

One wrinkle in this process is that the State Review Board has so far only approved the nomination of The Hollow for its independent architectural significance. It has not approved its nomination based on its clear association with Chief Justice John Marshall and his father, Col. Thomas Marshall.

Efforts are now directed toward further research and compilation of evidence proving that the 18^th century dwelling was clearly that in which the Marshalls lived. Even if the State Review Board does not formally accept its association with the Marshalls at this time, it is possible to amend the State and National registers later to include such an association.

In connection with our efforts to compile evidence, we would greatly appreciate a copy of any 19^th century correspondence that makes any reference to The Hollow. If you know of any, please let us know.

Dr. Doug Sanford, Director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Mary Washington College has been conducting, with Mary Washington students, archaeological investigations on The Hollow site since last August.

The first phase of archaeological investigations on The Hollow site are now complete. The investigation included excavation of a total of 32 shovel test pits (STPs) within the fenced yard around the house, which produced a total of 1,331 artifacts, or 41.6 artifacts per STP (which is considered higher than normal). Of these 1,331 artifacts, a total of 42 (3.2%) turned out to fit into the "old" artifact category of late 18th/early 19th-century ceramics (creamware, pearlware) and wrought nails.

Large test units immediately adjacent to the house produced 1,681 artifacts, including 12 (0.7%) "old" artifacts (18^th/early 19^th century).

The STPs in the yard away from the house produced a noticeably higher percentage of artifacts than did the test units at the house, which is probably a result of soil disturbance and "deflation" next to the house. The overall results were 3,012 artifacts, 54 (1.8%) of which were "old."

Fragments found include bottle glass, window glass, wrought, cut and wire nails, pottery, bones, mortar, stoneware pipe bowl fragment, a hinge and many other items.

Results for additional test units on the eastern side of the house and in the basement crawlspace are still being tallied and catalogued.

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