Where Craftsmanship Meets Conservation

Belmont Mansion, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia

Historic Plaster Restoration at the Belmont Mansion in Philadelphia

A Legacy Site of the Underground Railroad

Building Overview

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Originally built in 1745 by William Peters, an English lawyer and land agent for the Penn family, Belmont Mansion stands as one of the earliest surviving examples of Georgian architecture in Philadelphia. Since 2007, it has also served as home to the Underground Railroad Museum, honoring its powerful role in African American history.

Renovation Focus

Structural distress and ceiling conservation caused by third-floor addition

Renovation Focus

Plaster Magic® Solution

To support the added weight from concealed rooms built during the Mansion’s Underground Railroad era, a custom jacking system was used to gently lift the ceiling into closer contact with a bent summer beam. This careful adjustment allowed the original plaster and ornamental stucco to flex and reposition.

Once stabilized, the Plaster Magic® team performed detailed conservation work:
1.

All affected ceilings underwent adhesive reattachment to secure plaster and lath

2.

Flooring was opened to expose the lath structure beneath

3.

Lath was cleaned by vacuum, drilled for adhesive injection, and vacuumed again

4.

Holes were carefully patched and finished to preserve the historical integrity

Preserving Structural Beauty and Historical Significance

The Belmont Mansion is not only architecturally significant but also symbolically powerful. The project demanded precise execution to stabilize one of the country’s earliest ornamental plaster ceilings while respecting its layered legacy. By combining structural strategy with museum-grade materials, Plaster Magic® helped restore both the form and function of this extraordinary landmark.

Person walking on wooden planks over a gap, wearing sandals.
Person standing on a rusted metal surface with a tool
Wooden beams and a ladder against a wall with peeling paint
Person using a vacuum cleaner on a staircase in a room with a radiator and window.
Close-up of a wooden structure with slatted design
Ceiling with decorative plaster reliefs and wooden beams
Person with protective gear climbing wooden stairs
Person walking on wooden planks over a gap, wearing sandals.
Person standing on a rusted metal surface with a tool
Wooden beams and a ladder against a wall with peeling paint
Person using a vacuum cleaner on a staircase in a room with a radiator and window.
Close-up of a wooden structure with slatted design
Ceiling with decorative plaster reliefs and wooden beams
Person with protective gear climbing wooden stairs
Person walking on wooden planks over a gap, wearing sandals.
Person standing on a rusted metal surface with a tool
Wooden beams and a ladder against a wall with peeling paint
Person using a vacuum cleaner on a staircase in a room with a radiator and window.
Close-up of a wooden structure with slatted design
Ceiling with decorative plaster reliefs and wooden beams
Person with protective gear climbing wooden stairs

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