When it comes to entertaining guests, the front parlor is where you gather—well, at least that’s what people did in Colonial times.
It’s the reason why the front parlor at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is an important staple of the estate, and why it went under a major, two-year restoration.
The project is now complete, and the front parlor at Mount Vernon will reopen to the public on Feb. 16, during mansion tours.
The room’s transformation features a suite of bright blue upholstered furniture and curtains, as well as cream-colored woodwork.
Another feature is the many portraits hung on the walls, commissioned by Martha Washington, as the front parlor’s décor was mostly chosen by Martha.
The restoration to the front parlor is the first in over 30 years for that specific room at Mount Vernon. New forensic analysis of the architecture and documents revealed that original furniture in the room was purchased in London, and given by George William Fairfax to Washington.
None of the original furniture pieces have survived, but the curatorial team has worked to replicate the original pieces based on comparable period examples as part of the restoration.
The curators also worked to replicate the original upholstery fabric, which is documented as being a silk and worsted wool, damask-dyed Saxon blue.
The architecture team also reanalyzed the previous generation of paint analysis. The team concluded that the room was painted a cream color during Washington’s life, not the recent blue color. As part of the project, and in hopes of restoring the space to as close to the original as possible, the front parlor has been repainted a cream color using hand-ground pigments replicating the original.
Other repairs to the ceiling and windows, as well as conservation of the mantel, overmantel, hearth and floors were included in the restoration project.
Guests can take a look at the finished product on tours at the Mount Vernon Mansion, which is open every day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information, visit mountvernon.org. // George Washington’s Mount Vernon: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; $12-$20 general admission
