Howdy,

I was touring around Summerville, SC and their museum the other day. In the back they have a stabilized (but in need of restoration) "Garden House". The garden houses were popular in these parts of the south around the turn of the 19th century. They were mostly placed in the back yards of homes. The building is a 14' octagon that resembles a gazebo but instead is enclosed. It has windows and did have a brick fireplace on one side. The structure sits on piers.

Anyhow, the flooring is cut in a section where it met the chimney stack. As I was looking at it I noticed plaster in between the flooring (see image). As it would have been completely unseen, I was a little bewildered in why it was there. It must have served a purpose in the mind of the builder. Has anyone in other parts of the country seen an application such as this?

Insulation?
Termite Protection?

Any thoughts?