Woodrow Wilson House has begun restoration of the unique faux finishes in President Wilson’s Library. This historic library is the room most associated with his post-presidential years on S Street. It was in this library that he spent his days greeting guests, friends and associates from his Princeton and White House days, including royalty and other world leaders. Surrounded by his books, priceless gifts of state, and the Nobel Peace Prize medal, Woodrow Wilson recounted his career as an educator, the 28th president of the United States, and founder of the League of Nations as he continued to meet with and mentor many of the Nation’s new generation of public servants.

President Wilson’s White House cabinet chair was settled into this library with its walls of faux-painted leather, richly detailed plaster cornice, and burnished gold-tone moldings accented with a vibrant peacock blue. Here the surroundings were gentlemanly and suited to the purpose of continued scholarly pursuit.

This restoration project is funded by a challenge grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Sites Fund, a federal grant from the National Park Service, and matching contributions from Joan I. Fabry, Angela C. Weisskopf, and the Richard Bolling Fuller estate.

In the coming weeks we will address the need for conservation and restoration of original decorative details and finishes in President Wilson’s library. All architectural features and finishes are original and date to the construction of the house in 1915 by architect Waddy B. Wood. The majority of the work centers on the SE corner of the library where water damage and old repairs are most noticeable. Water incursion was stopped by the recently completed HSF–Save America’s Treasures Exterior Envelope Restoration of Wilson House. Minor repairs will be made to flaking areas where plaster has been chipped or surface ghosting has occurred. The weakened subsurface plaster will be consolidated and strengthened, and original fabric-facing cloth will be adhered and in-painted to match the unique decorative finish. Blown out plaster detailing in the cornice will be replaced using newly cast molds made from existing plaster sections, then properly in-painted. Old repairs can be corrected and improved thanks to new techniques, technology, and products.

The work, in keeping with best conservation practices, will be substantive, but reversible. Careful stewardship of this National Historic Landmark calls for a team of conservators, not painting contractors, to carry out the proposed conservation of the library. Page Conservation Studios has been chosen to lead this project based on its excellent completion of several projects for the National Trust and Wilson House. Most recently, Page Conservation restored the Chauncey Ryder painting, “In the Valley of Assisi,” which also hangs in the Wilson library. The work at Wilson House must be done in-place as were the Page Conservation in-situ mural projects and decorative finish projects for the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building and the Brumidi Rooms in the Senate Chambers at the US Capitol. Arthur Page has teamed up with Gold Leaf Studios for the restoration and re-casting of plaster moldings and cornice details. Gold Leaf is led by Bill Adair, the nation’s leading frame conservator whose work can be seen at the White House, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Blair House, and US Department of State, as well as at Woodrow Wilson House.

This project will serve as a model for treatment of interior decorative surfaces. All stages of the work will be photo documented and a full treatment report will be submitted upon completion. The Woodrow Wilson House maintains a strong commitment to sharing expertise with the preservation community and has selected project consultants who regularly exchange at professional meetings and forums. Since the work will be carried out in-place, the visiting public will be able to see the work as they pass on tour with minimal distraction. As always, every effort will be made to guarantee public safety.