Wood That Looks Like Stone (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this trailside historical marker:

Wood That Looks Like Stone
The Mansion, constructed of wood, appears to be made of stone; an effect called rustication. The pine siding boards were cut and beveled to resemble stone blocks. After paint was applied to the boards, sand was thrown onto their wet surface to create a stone-like texture. In addition to making the Mansion appear more substantial and extensive, the sand-painted surface wore well and protected the wood siding boards.

The warm buff color of the Mansion today replicates its appearance after the last round of sand painting ordered by Washington in 1796. He instructed his farm manager, James Anderson, to use crushed sandstone from the nearby Aquia Creek, instead of the lighter colored Chesapeake Bay beach sand that was previously applied. In 2011, Mount Vernon staff reintroduced off-white paint and Aquia sand, consistent with 18th-century practice.