Belvoir

Belvoir was a 700-acre plantation in Crownsville, Maryland with a manor house built around 1736 by John Ross. Thirty years later, the estate passed to Upton Scott, a part of the aristocratic planter class, who expanded the home. Francis Scott Key, author of the lyrics of “The Star Spangled Banner,” often came to Belvoir to visit his grandmother, Ann Ross Key.

French troops under Count de Rochambeau made their 36th camp in 1781, en route to Yorktown, Virginia to support the U.S. independence from England. These connections with historical figures have long defined Belvoir’s place in history, and its role in the Revolutionary War was the primary subject of an archaeological survey project in 2014.

Direct Dimensions was engaged by Maryland State archeology group, part of the State Highway Administration, to provide 3D documentation of the existing site. We performed aerial drone photography and 3D lidar scanning of the entire site. Once processed into a 3D model, this data allowed the archeology team to assess the exact measurements of stone foundation, remnants of brick walls, and fireplaces in what remained of the building’s kitchen and two bedrooms. Based on ground impressions it was even possible to add in locations for small cellars and brick floor patterns. The team of archaeologists and Direct Dimensions then collaborated on the creation of a 3D digital animation of what the site and structure likely looked like that gives viewers a chance to virtually walk through the Belvoir slave quarters.

In order to create the final animation of the site, our designers worked with archeological experts to supply examples of materials, fabrics, textures, and designs of all of the elements of the structure and furnishings. The building was occupied between the 1780s and 1860s, so the team needed to decide which era they wanted to represent in the animation. Since there are, today, known descendants of the enslaved community who lived there between 1816 and 1850, the team chose to furnish the quarters with artifacts from that specific time period. The mugs and jars sitting on shelves, as well as the stoneware butter churn, for example, are based on ceramic sherds that were unearthed at the site. Even the ducks, gourd dippers, and corn hanging in the kitchen were inspired by archaeological finds.

We ultimately created a complete full color 3D CAD based design and renderings of the furnished structure during the designated time period. We then converted this static design into an animation and interactive virtual reality tour. Besides being online for the public to experience, the final production assets have been incorporated into the visitors’ experience and help to tell the story of this extremely important historical archaeological site.