The objective of the exterior envelope restoration of the Townsend Mansion was to address site safety, to remediate water infiltration and to restore the historic façades of the building. This repair program included scope for replacing or restoring building envelope components based on site survey and previous documentation. The bulk of the work related to the exterior masonry envelope included repointing, replacing inappropriate sealant with mortar, and repairing cracked and spalled masonry and stucco. The project repaired the historic stucco instead of calling for wholesale replacement.

As stewards of this important building, the Cosmos Club Historic Preservation Foundation wanted to set an example for good preservation to the surrounding neighborhood and through their success, encourage other stewards of these grand historic buildings to follow suit. By maintaining the original historic materials of limestone, cast iron, slate, and copper, Washington’s visitors and residents can connect with the Beaux Arts flourishes from the past. By choosing to use non-toxic cleaners and repairing materials rather than wholesale replacement, this project considered the impact to the environment. The club did not merely want to renovate their building — they saw value in restoration as a way to respect the past and honor the craftsmanship of the original architects and builders.

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The Cosmos Club Historic Preservation Foundation