The McLean House in Appomattox, Va., where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Gen. U.S. Grant on April 9, 1865, is a gracious-looking place with wide stairs and a two story white porch on the front. However, even with the National Park Service’s careful maintenance, parts of vintage buildings do wear out. In the case of the McLean House, it is the stairs and the picturesque wooden porches.
The work will include replacing the front steps, all the decking on the first story porch and more than half of the large support beams under the porch, according to a news release. Plans include stripping and repainting all the wooden elements of both porches.
The work is expected to begin Oct. 28 and may last as long as two months. The building will still be open to visitors during the work period but they will be entering and leaving through the back door.