Sarah Jenkins
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate in Alexandria, Virginia was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's rankings for the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2018.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has created and updated this list since 1988 as a way of raising awareness about the threats facing some of the nation's greatest treasures.
Mount Vernon Estate has been ranked 8th on the list this year due to a proposal by Dominion Power to construct a natural gas compressor directly across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon Estate in Charles County, Maryland.
Related: Mount Vernon Estate Launches 'Save the View' Campaign
Mount Vernon Estate officials are worried the construction of the compressor stacks will industrialize the appearance of the largely preserved area. The proposed construction site is very close to protected land in Maryland's Piscataway National Park.
Dominion Power has released statements saying the stacks will not exceed 50 feet in height or go above the tree line, and the compressor won't cause any negative environmental impacts.
According to Dominion Power, “The Eastern Market Access Project (EMA) will bring much-needed new natural gas supplies to heat homes, cook meals, run businesses and generate clean electricity. It primarily uses existing underground pipelines that run more than three miles away from Mount Vernon, across the Potomac River in Maryland. … By optimizing design features and building it next to an existing Dominion facility surrounded dense woods, it will preserve the pristine view from Mount Vernon.”
Sarah Jenkins
Mount Vernon Estate recently launched a 'Save the View' campaign in response to Dominion’s plans to build the compressor. The campaign is part of an effort to preserve the authenticity and historical value of the Estate and its view across the Potomac River.
In a Tuesday press conference, Mount Vernon Estate President and CEO Doug Bradburn (center in photo) and representatives from the Mount Vernon Ladies Association spoke out against the construction of the compressor across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon Estate.
It was there that Bradburn addressed how important it is for a historic location like Mount Vernon to maintain their authenticity. He supported this by citing the continuous relevance of Mount Vernon Estate as a location where Presidents and notable people past and present flock for important events.
Being listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list could be viewed in two ways: It could be perceived as negative because it means that the Mount Vernon Estate is possibly in danger. However, the designation raises awareness and support in favor of preserving the site.
In the past, less than 5 percent of locations featured on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's endangered have been lost to development or deterioration.
Additional information from Mount Vernon Estate and Dominion Power can be in the links found below:
