Loudoun Co. Landmark Gets New Lease On Life

LEESBURG, Va. (WUSA) -- Visitors are getting their first glimpse of Morven Park Mansion after it closed four years ago. The 18th century mansion was home to two governors: Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Governor Thomas Swann in the 1800's and later to Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis in the early 1900's.

The landmark had to close suddenly after discovering mold from major leaks through the years.

Executive Director Will O'Keefe says they knew they had a massive failure of the stucco, the foundation was crumbling and the roof leaked. He says, "It was in shambles."

O'Keefe has been through every step of the restoration project. He says, "I've been walking up here twice a day for four years. It wasn't until about January when they put the first coat of paint and there was a reason to smile."

Only four out of the 22 rooms have been completed. Visitors won't notice a lot of the major changes because ninety percent of the restoration happened underground.

Taking a look underneath the mansion are endless tubes and gauges. It's the mansion's attempt to go green. The geothermal HVAC system allows for a high energy efficient cooling and heating system. A new fire suppression system has also been installed.

Larry Freeze is from Arkansas and has come to visit the mansion on Friday. He tried to take a tour last fall but the mansion was closed. He says the renovations are marvelous and says he'll be coming back to see what else has been done.

It was the late Virginia governor's wife who wished to preserve her husband's legacy and now her dream is realized.

The renovations cost $8 million dollars. The executive director says they still need another half million to finish the rest of the rooms. But he says the major work is done. An average of 6,000 visitors walk through the mansion every year.

Morven Park Manson is open every Friday through Monday.
Admission is free through this weekend and Monday.