THE HERMITAGE UNDERGOES EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR RENOVATIONS

Apr 28, 2014

The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, is undergoing renovations to the exterior and interior portions of the mansion with a completion date of March 11.

 

The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, is undergoing renovations to the exterior and interior portions of the mansion with a completion date of March 11.

The project is funded under agreement with the State of Tennessee with a $660,000 grant and will significantly improve the structural and cosmetic integrity of the home.

Tony Guzzi, vice-president of preservation and site operations at The Hermitage and a team of experienced contractors, architects, archaeologists and craftsmen have come together to complete the restoration, many of whom specialize in preservation of historic structures.  The exterior phase of the project involves demolition of the brick pathways that serve as sidewalks around the mansion.

“The existing brick pathways around the mansion lay atop concrete pads right up to the mansion’s foundation in many places,” said Guzzi. “Basically, excessive drainage from the south façade of the mansion combined with negative drainage was causing erosion around the foundation walls and failure of the foundation mortar joints.”

Joseph K. Opperman is the leading preservation architect who has designed the restoration. He plans to remove the brick pathway and concrete pad surrounding the mansion, replacing it with new brick and a sand bed atop a gravel bed. This will allow water to drain through the pathway to the soil below. The new brick pavers will be made to look like the original mansion brick. Concealed lighting will also be added in pathways, which will improve visibility during night events and tours.

Opperman’s plan also includes installing French drains around the foundation and will establish planting beds wherever possible around the mansion, which will allow rain water to percolate naturally through plant material and soil rather than being trapped against the mansion’s foundation. 

Wear and tear from the millions of visitors to The Hermitage has taken a toll on the interior woodwork since it was last repaired and painted in 1994. All modern damage to interior woodwork is being repaired by Mike Mullinix, an expert in historic woodwork repairs. Hallway woodwork is being repainted based on historic paint analysis by Vester Bradshaw. Damage to mansion doors is being repaired by carpenter Alf Sharp. Doors will then be re-grain painted to resemble crotch mahogany by Jim Evinczik.

“We are so fortunate to have received this grant from the State of Tennessee,” said Howard J. Kittell, President CEO of The Hermitage. “It is this sort of preservation work that will ensure the longevity of The Hermitage as an historical site to be visited by generations to come.”

For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.

 

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