D.C. Earthquake Damage and Lessons Learned

The recent earthquake along the East Coast caused quite a bit of damage including to some iconic monuments in Washington D.C. The National Cathedral, Washington Monument, and Smithsonian Castle all sustained damage. The breakage at the Washington Monument was mostly structural requiring the monument to be closed and quickly stabilized before Hurricane Irene moved in. The National Cathedral’s damage was extensive – there was damage to the masonry and roof and several decorative elements fell off due to the shaking. Between the earthquake and Hurricane Irene there is billions of dollars in cleanup, repairs, and rebuilding to be done on the East Coast.

Partners for Sacred Places is dedicated to ensuring sound stewardship of our nation’s historic houses of worship. This includes their physical condition. Our Professional Alliance Directory, which is available here and in our quarterly magazine has listings and information for professionals ranging from architects and engineers to fundraising consultants and paint restorers.

Events like the East Coast earthquake are an important reminder that historic buildings need to be in good condition and qualified professionals called upon to make repairs and restorations when necessary.

Photo Source