An 18-month restoration project to protect and repair 18th-century Montpelier Mansion in South Laurel has won the Stewardship Award from Preservation Maryland.
The award will be presented at the Best of Maryland Preservation Awards on May 21.
The restoration project included extensive excavations around the mansion's foundation to address water damage to the foundation and basement. Other work included repairing the roof and repitching the gutters; repointing and capping chimneys; repairing windows so they would close tighter; and constructing new interior and exterior drain systems. Two brick terraces that were added in the 1920s were also removed because they were damaged by water.
"We were excited to hear that we were being recognized by Preservation Maryland," Mary Jurkiewicz, Montpelier museum manager and historian, said in a release. "It shows that our hard work puts us at the forefront of historic preservation efforts in the state."
Montpelier Mansion, which is a National Historic Landmark, was closed for tours and programs during most of the work in 2013. More than 4,000 artifacts were uncovered during the excavations, and some of those were displayed in an exhibit at the mansion last month.
Montpelier was built in the mid 1780s by Maj. Thomas Snowden and his wife, Anne Snowden. Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation has owned the site, which includes 70 acres of park, since 1961. The house last underwent restoration in 1983.
Montpelier's award is one of 13 being presented at the event, which recognizes projects involving historic preservation, architecture, community engagement and education. The ceremony is 6-9 p.m. at Dye House at Mount Washington Mill in Baltimore.