The Mansion Revitalization Project is a prime example of how thoughtful planning and precise execution are essential to preserving historic landmarks. Among the project’s critical tasks has been the installation of internal shoring within the Mansion’s cellar vaults, ensuring the structure remains stable during restoration.
Preservation
Mansion Revitalization Project
Mount Vernon has embarked on a landmark preservation project to ensure the Mansion's structural integrity for generations to come.
What Vaults?
During George Washington’s time, the principal function of the Mansion cellar was storage, and three vaulted storage rooms were constructed under the portico when the piazza was built in the 1770s. Taking advantage of the consistent cool temperatures provided by the subterranean location, Washington would have kept many perishable and valuable items in the vaults, such as wine and other distilled spirits. Turnips and potatoes were the principal root crops, and there is some indication that they were stored in at least one of the vaulted stone sections of the Mansion cellar.
Virtual Tour
Explore the cellar—and peek inside a cellar vault—with our virtual tour.
Why Shoring Is Needed
During the Mansion Revitalization Project, the vaults of the Mansion cellar face immense pressure from the external shoring system’s cribbing piles—located directly above. These piles serve as temporary supports to counterbalance the weight of the Mansion during restoration.
Designed to stabilize the structure while the foundation and other critical elements are repaired, some of these cribbing piles bear loads of up to 23,000 pounds each. In order to protect the brick vaults from this intense pressure, carpenters from Christman Mid-Atlantic Constructors (CMAC) designed and installed internal shoring to provide essential reinforcement.
Crafting Custom Shoring
Building the shoring was a highly specialized and on-site process. The team constructed custom wooden frames directly within the vaults to absorb and distribute the load effectively. Each shoring structure aligns precisely with the centerline of the vault’s arch, minimizing any risk of flexing under the immense pressure.
The work being done now safeguards the vaults for future generations, offering a glimpse into the innovative and practical solutions that defined life at Mount Vernon in the 18th century.
Video: Tour of the Cellar
Mount Vernon's Director of Preservation Thomas Reinhart takes C-SPAN on an in-depth tour of the Mansion.
Begin the video at 31:24 to learn more about the cellar vaults.
Mansion Revitalization Blog
Follow along as we post updates and discoveries from the landmark Mansion Revitalization Project.
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