Front Parlor Update: Restoring the Panels

Go behind the scenes at Mount Vernon with architectural conservator Steven Stuckey as he gives an update on the restoration in the front parlor. In this video, we learn about the panels that are being removed and restored.
Learn more at mountvernon.org/frontparlor

[@QueenCityHistory]

I’m sure it’s gonna be beautiful. All the restoration projects there come out so beautiful

[@stflaw]

Peeking behind the walls of Mount Vernon is fascinating. The original lath from 1730. Incredible.

[@032319581]

Always enjoy the videos

[@janineharrison5186]

Amazing seeing the areas pre George....Laurence was living there with his wife. Amazing!

[@patriotmama]

Wish you would describe the entire process. I find this fascinating. Anyone that has been to Mount Vernon can appreciate the hard work that goes on to keep this American treasure alive for future generations to see and study. Thank you!

[@mountvernon]

We will have a video on the entire process when the front parlor is complete!

[@patriotmama]

Wonderful! Can't wait to see. :)

[@oldglstuf]

Interesting. I would be happy to sit through a longer video on this project.

[@mountvernon]

We will posting more videos on the front parlor restoration in the near future!

[@dougharshbarger5525]

This is fascinating. More posts like these please

[@mountvernon]

Thanks! There will be more videos on the restoration of the Front Parlor in the following months.

[@mrhis2ry]

What happened to the original plaster?

[@mountvernon]

From Thomas Reinhart, Director of Architecture​: This is a great question. Some of the plaster was definitely removed by Washington’s craftsmen when the wood paneling was being installed in the early 1760s. Some was left in place because the wood paneling actually sits out a bit from the face of the plaster, so it wasn’t in the way of anything. There looks to be a pretty big section of it behind the wood paneling on the south wall, and since we didn’t have to take any south wall panels out during our work, we really can’t get a good look at it, but we can see enough to know it’s there. And some of it fell off the wall between the time the wood was installed and today, and it landed in the gap between the two faces of the wall. A pretty good amount of this has been collected over the years and is now in our architectural study collection.

[@mrhis2ry]

Thank you.

[@blastforth]

Talk about a money pit!