The historic Mount Vernon estate, home to George Washington, is set to temporarily close next month for an extensive restoration project, marking the first major renovation in over 150 years. As reported by The Washington Post, this iconic property located along the Potomac River in Virginia has stood for 290 years, but significant wear and tear have made the building in need of urgent repairs.

Douglas Bradburn, the director of Mount Vernon, explained, “We plan to close off a substantial portion of the estate over the next eight months, which will encompass about two-thirds of the property.”

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union, a nonprofit organization that purchased the estate in 1860 through fundraising efforts, still holds ownership of Mount Vernon today.

Constructed in 1734 by Washington’s father, the estate has weathered nearly three centuries of the elements. Although it has undergone minor repairs over the years, a recent discovery revealed that termites had compromised the foundation, putting the entire structure at risk.

Bradburn noted, “To put it plainly, the whole house is sitting right on a termite nest or on bricks. A strong gust of wind could potentially disengage it from its foundation.”

In response to these concerns, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association has committed $30 million for a comprehensive restoration of both the flooring and the basement structure, with completion expected in 2026. Bradburn emphasized, “This is the most significant renovation in Mount Vernon’s history, and the architects will resolve these issues thoroughly.”

Amy McAuley, who is overseeing the restoration project, expressed her excitement: “It’s truly amazing, especially when you walk into the basement; it feels as if you’ve stepped back into Washington’s time.”

Currently, the main building of Mount Vernon is supported by steel beams, and the renovation will involve creating a new base to securely anchor it to the foundation. The precarious stone walls in the basement will be replaced with similar sandstone panels. McAuley also revealed that the new base will be constructed from oak sourced from Mount Vernon itself and from 18th-century oak trees in Ohio.