Home to the 26^th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site is undergoing a three-year, $7.2 million rehabilitation project, including upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems and lighting, as well as restoration of historic windows, doors, siding and porches to historic preservation standards.

Often referred to as the “Summer White House,” where President Roosevelt would host VIPs from the U.S. and the world during his presidency, the Queen Anne-style home has undergone a patchwork of renovation projects over the years. The current rehabilitation is aimed at avoiding ongoing smaller scale site work in the future.

For replacement of the impressive wraparound porch, the National Park Service (NPS) selected Accoya wood, a Cradle to Cradle-certified material that is durable and stable and is guaranteed against rot and decay for 50 years in exterior use. In addition, Accoya does not shrink or swell, making it an ideal material for a variety of exterior applications. “In caring for such an important property, we needed to ensure that we used the highest quality, environmentally friendly products that were sympathetic to the environment,” said Susan Sarna, museum curator for the NPS. “In addition, given the negative impact that renovation works have on visitor experience, we wanted to use a product that would allow us to reduce ongoing maintenance at the site.”

Client: U.S. National Park Service

Completed: June 2015