U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Limestone

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum opened in April 1993 in Washington D. C. In recent years certain areas of the limestone cladding of the museum began exhibiting substantial deterioration. Stone panels were losing surface and substantially eroding in unexpected locations where the cause was not obvious to determine. Studies focussed on understanding the movement of moisture and air within and around the cladding, back up wall and interior as well as possible remediation of the stone itself.

We were contracted by the Architrave P. C. Architects to conduct testing on the limestone panels to determine if the panels could be restored once the root causes driving the deterioration were remedied. The tests included limestone consolidation, water repellent coatings, patching and resurfacing. Sample panels were prepared and subjected to accelerated weathering, monitoring, and laboratory analysis. Patching and resurfacing treatment were mocked up and observed over an extended period. The findings were documented and included in a testing report that was incorporated in the Architect’s recommendations to the Client.