The Life of a Stone at the Menokin Ruin
The stones used to stabilize the Menokin ruin are the original stones used when the house was first built. Stones are not common to this region of Virginia, so these reddish, iron-infused sandstones are a unique natural resource of this place, and quarried right from the property. What you may not realize is that many of these stones have to be removed and placed back in their exact spot to re-stabilize the ruin for the Glass House project.
The life of one of these stones is quite an odyssey. Let’s go through it.
Tracing the Stone
First the stone is traced in the area where it is to be detached from the original wall – in some cases literally with large sheets of tracing material. These tracing sheets are then scanned, recorded, and the diagrams are used in planning a stones reentry.
Removal and Tagging
The stone is then gingerly removed and literally dog tagged with a code and number and placed on a palette or, on a life-sized exterior wall elevation.
Archiving
The specially identified carved stones, are placed on these 50 foot square elevations- true to actual size, like a giant puzzle piece! Additional documents, such as the drawings by the Historical American Building Survey in 1940, are referenced for greatest accuracy as well.
Back into the Ruin
When it is time to place the stone back into the ruin, the diagrams and tags are used to locate the precise stone and spot, where it is returned, and then laid - one stone at a time.
Anastylosis
Modern preservation techniques such as a stainless steel mesh and anchor ties are carefully incorporated into the stonework stabilizing the reconstructed walls. An excellent example of anastylosis*.
Finish Line
Indeed, the life of one stone, not to mention the thousands that are part of the restabilization of the Menokin ruin is a feat to behold.
*Anastylosis is an archaeological term for a reconstruction technique whereby a ruined building or monument is restored using the original architectural elements to the greatest degree possible, combined with modern materials if necessary, ensuring that the latter are unobtrusive while clearly recognizable as replacement materials. (Wikipedia)
Learn more about the Menokin Glass House Project here