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Restoration Timeline
1984
The Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest purchased the main house and 49.5 acres
1985
Record drawings and photographs by the Historic American Buildings Survey
1986
S. Allen Chambers begins documentary research
Property opens to public on limited basis
1988
Emergency stabilization plan drafted
First archaeology staff hired
Architectural Advisory Panel established
1989
Stabilization work completed
Director of Architectural Restoration hired
Phase One of historical research completed
1990
Consulting restoration architect hired
Architectural conservator hired
Surface mapping of main house and photographic documentation (staff)
Investigation of sub-surface layers begins (staff)
Detailed architectural research drawings based on investigation and meetings of the Architectural Advisory Panel (6-month phases)
One-inch scale investigation drawings (staff) and one-inch professional photographs with annotated overlays
Architectural Restoration Field School starts
1991
Second phase of documentary research completed
1992
Main House Investigation Report (HSR) completed by architects
One-inch scale drawings of interior and exterior walls by architects
Investigation of privies and East Wing
Historic Structures Report by staff
Advisors, consultants, staff and board establish restoration plan and guidelines
Preparation for bricks and mortar phase
1993
Underpinning and waterproofing of outer walls; drains for foundation and roof
Restoration mason starts stabilization of walls and south portico columns
Restoration workshop and conservation lab established
Mortar reproduction process
Restoration craftsman assistant hired
1994
Completion of footings and drain system
Mortar analysis to make lime mortar
Working drawings for roof reconstruction
1995
Conservation repair and repointing of exterior walls with lime mortar
Millwork for exterior trim
Reproduction bricks made
Architectural Conservator Consultant hired
Getty grant for conservation work
Restoration of exterior walls complete
Cube Room brick walls restored to 20’
Main House terras roof and skylight framing
1996
Principal timber frame roof completed
1997
Main House terras deck and skylight completed
Tuscan Entablature completed
Roof balustrade completed
Stair pavilions and portico roof and pediment framing
Masonry conservation of east and west octagonal privies
1998
Tinned shingles on main roof completed
Terras roof Chinese railing installed
Sash windows, louvered blinds and exterior doors installed
North portico stairs completed
North and South columns rendered with lime stucco
Conservation and restoration of interior walls completed
Exterior restoration of main house completed
1999
Conservation and restoration of 14 fireplaces and hearths
Interior floor system of oak joists and oak floorboards restored (radiant heat underneath)
Mechanical system for heating and cooling begun
2000
Counter-sealing of lower level ceilings installed
Staircase reconstructed in East Pavilion
North passage walls reconstructed
Lower level brick floors restored (radiant heat and air tubes underneath)
Mechanical system completed with mechanical room and remote vault
Conservation/restoration/reconstruction of East Wing began
2001
Staircase in West pavilion reconstructed
Restoration of East and West privies: windows, door, seat, stairs
Limestone burned in traditional kiln for lime putty mortar
2002
Masonry walls completed for East Wing
Plaster grounds and split lath installed for ceiling plaster
Three-coat lime plaster installed in four rooms. East and northeast room ceilings left unplastered
Chestnut shingles restored to East and West Privy roofs
Reproduction spring locks installed on sash windows
Masonry of East Wing complete; kitchen with hearth, oven, set kettle, stew stove
Old and new poplar plates installed on wing walls
West alcove bed framing
Sash doors of parlor installed
2003
Ceiling plaster of cube room completed
Plaster grounds installed for wall plaster
Three-coat lime plaster on walls completed
Passage walls filled with brick and lath installed
Ridge and gutter joists for East Wing roof started
2004
Joists and blocking for wing roof completed
2005
East alcove bed framing completed; walls nogged with brick; alcove plastered
2006
Fabrication and installation of East Wing terras roof shingles
2007
East Wing entablature
East Wing roof caps on shingles
East Wing waterproof membrane on shingles
2008
Window frames, sash and trim made and installed in Wing
Doors made and installed in Wing with reproduction hardware
Oak deck panels on Ipe sleepers made
2009
Custom stainless steel deck railing made and installed on Wing
Stairs constructed for Wing
Exterior architectural restoration of Jefferson's architecture finished, with the completion of the east wing