UPDATE: Mansion Revitalization Project

As we are about halfway through our Preservationist Series, we thought it was a good time to update you on our biggest preservation project to date: The Mansion Revitalization Project.

Remember, the Mansion was originally built as a family home. George Washington never could have imagined it would become the monument it is today—welcoming over 1 million people from all over the world each year.

Therefore, it requires continuous maintenance, preservation, and repairs to ensure it can continue welcoming, inspiring, and educating visitors for generations.

To do this, the Mansion Revitalization Project will ultimately:

We have already completed the bunker expansion that will house the new state-of-the-art HVAC system.

And after extensive investigation, design, and planning, we have started construction to strengthen the Mansion’s timber frame and masonry foundation.

Our carpenters began by protecting the New Room to prepare it for floorboard removal. Our preservation team carefully protected the walls and mantel to safeguard against any damage during the work.

Currently, they are removing the previously installed brick and slate inserts and replacing them with carefully crafted and treated wood sills—reestablishing strong connections between the walls, floor, and foundation.

You may recall that in 2013, our Director of Preservation, Thomas Reinhart made the revolutionary discovery that the floorboards in the New Room were original to Washington. Thanks to your continued support, these founding floors will continue to be preserved for generations!

The New Room will remain closed through October when it will re-open for the remainder of the Mansion Revitalization Project, giving students and guests the opportunity to visit this signature room.

We could not continue to make these great strides in preservation without your generous support. I hope we can count on you to make a gift todayin support of this historic project and all the great preservation work in and around the estate.