Ron Sheetz will present "Furniture Restoration at Dodona Manor," Saturday, June 23, 1-3 p.m., at Dodona Manner, Leesburg. Refreshments will be served. Cost: $10 at the door; free for Friends of Dodona Manor. Visit www.georgecmarshall.org or call 703-777-1880.
What is furniture preservation/restoration?
I would say to stabilize a piece of furniture, saving as much as possible of the original, so the object can be placed on exhibit or back in service.
How did you get involved in furniture restoration?
I have worked with wood for more than 40 years. Trained under the GI Bill as an apprentice cabinet maker — maker of fine furniture; proprietor of Sheetz Furniture in Edinburg, Va., making reproduction period furniture and restoring antiques. In 1978, I took a position as furniture and wooden objects conservator with the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Division of Conservation, Harpers Ferry, W.Va. Now semiretired.
What is the most difficult piece of furniture you have had to restore?
Probably the chiffonier chest of drawers in Gen. George Marshall's bedroom. Due to the deteriorated condition, most of the furniture was a challenge.
What is your favorite piece of furniture you have restored?
The eagle podium, it was also a challenge, a White House piece of furniture, and the exposure of being seen on television used at state dinners by the last four presidents.
What is the oldest piece you have ever worked on?
Probably the artifacts made by the Tlingit Indians in Sitka, Alaska. I have worked on objects here and on-site all over the U.S. Such as objects from the White House, The Arlington House, The Lincoln Home in Springfield Ill., to as far north as The Russian Bishop House in Sitka, Alaska.
Have you ever encountered a piece of furniture that can’t be restored?
If there are only several segments of the object present, is the value or association of the object worth the time and effort of reproducing missing segments to restore the object.
Do you have a favorite type of furniture to work on?
Yes, American-made period furniture, Queen Ann, Chippendale, Hepplewhite. Solid wood construction is preferable.
What do you listen to when you work?
The '50s music. Pasty Cline, Elvis, Marty Robbins, etc.
How did you become involved with restoring the furniture at Dodona Manor?
I received a call from Ann Horstman, executive vice president of The George Marshall International Center, asking if I would be interested in performing preservation on the furniture.
Was there anything special about the work for Dodona Manor?
Yes, I was born in the Shenandoah Valley — Woodstock, Va. — but I did not know the Gen. George Marshall Home was in Leesburg. Of course, I knew about the Marshall Plan, but from working on the objects and with the professional staff at Dodona Manor it became a history lesson as to how great a man he was. We need politicians like him today, wanting to do his job for his country and not seeking public or personal gain.
What were some challenges with the furniture at Dodona Manor?
The condition of the furniture, being reproduced factory made, mostly veneered, closed up in a house with high Virginia humidity, creating mold, loose joints, separating and missing vender and segments, etc. made the project very challenging.
What can people expect to learn from your talk on June 23?
The problems associated with wooden furniture. The movement of wood, furniture construction, joints, solid wood or veneered, finishes, etc. Basic steps for preservation treatment of furniture.
What will you be working on next?
Probably a Martha Washington table for The Arlington House, Gen. Robert E. Lee Home.