Dr. William Thornton, architect of the first U.S. Capitol and family friend, designed the grand neoclassical house, which was completed in 1816 and stands at the center of the property.  It is the repository for an original and intact collection covering over 18,000 objects and the rarity of its intangible contents: the stories held within it.

The historic house currently operates on a 1914 steam-heat system, a 1914 electrical system, and an early 2000s fire-detection system. No fire-suppression system exists within the house itself and humidity control is virtually nonexistent.   Moreover, administrative activities occupy rooms that could be used as interpreted spaces, to further the visitor experience in telling stories of those who lived and worked at Tudor Place.

In concert with Tudor Place’s dedication to environmental sustainability, systems will be designed to mitigate risk while increasing site efficiency.  To preserve this architectural treasure, the Master Preservation Plan seeks to:

1. Replace the 1914 mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in the house and historic garage with efficient and environmentally sustainable 21st century systems.
2. Install advanced fire-detection and -suppression systems as well as a state-of-the-art security system.
3. Conserve and restore interior finishes – wall coverings, window treatments, and architectural elements.
4. Conserve collections and archival objects in the house in climate-controlled conditions for study and display.
5. Make historic spaces available for education and display by removing administrative functions from the library, radio control room, cellar, and a servant bedroom, and interpreting them as they were used by the Peter family.