Phase I of the multi-phased project at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is finishing up this month but this is only a small step in the four-phased revitalization project that is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
In phase II, only the new room, the servants hall and kitchen will be open to visitors while the remaining three quarters of the mansion will be closed. Phases III and IV have similar closings.
This may temporarily thwart this large tourist attraction in this area but it needs to be done to "save the mansion for generations to come," said President and CEO of George Washington's Mount Vernon Doug Bradburn in a project video.
A couple of the elements of renovation include the eighteenth century cellar where last year they found preserved cherries likely from between 1758 and 1776; to a new HVAC system that will clear out the humidity that may add to deterioration of certain parts.
"While excavating Washington's cellar during the Mansion Revitalization Project, Mount Vernon's archeologists made a thrilling discovery - sealed glass bottles containing cherries," the description said.
Another discovery were several hidden messages throughout the Mansion from Harrison Howell Dodge, the longest-serving superintendent. There were two notes in a bottle describing work on the mansion and the people involved from 1893 and 1932. "Mr. F.W. Pilling, Architect and builder, took immediate direction of the work," said one message from 1893.
In 1932, Dodge took note of the materials used. "Reinforced foundation, covering with copper to keep down Termites, and substituting new curbing next the house (Acquia Creek Sandstone)" it read. There were two pills in the bottle too, but they were not identified. One theory is that the pills were put in the bottle as drying agents so the paper messages would remain legible.
Dodge wrote a couple of more notes about the building process that were found in other places in the mansion.
This isn't the first restoration project designed to save this historic structure. In 1858 when the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association took possession, it was already 100 years old and was showing wear and tear from the visitors and weather. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association raised the funding to save the structure.
To follow the project, there is a Mansion Revitalization Blog at Mansion Revitalization Blog | George Washington's Mount Vernon
