Located in Leesburg, Virginia, Oatlands’ front lawn balustrade, a significant landscape feature in the outdoor garden, has been restored.

Prior to its restoration, years of weathering had significantly deteriorated the balustrade. In 2018, the National Trust undertook limited restoration work on two of its sections to determine appropriate repair procedures. In 2024, the National Trust partnered with Shenandoah Planing Mill to complete a full restoration of the balustrade as well as to reconstruct the accompanying Victorian fence, which encloses the south side of Oatlands’ formal garden.

During this project, Shenandoah Planing Mill determined that both the balustrade and the fence, which were reconstructed in the 1980s with western red cedar wood, had suffered extensive damage over time. As part of the restoration, the entire balustrade and fence were reconstructed using sapele, a sustainably sourced African hardwood selected for its durability and insect resistance.

Shenandoah Planing Mill also slightly altered some of the design details to promote better drainage and to protect the wood from deterioration. Many of the balustrade’s brick piers, also in poor condition, were rebuilt using modern brick and mortar that were carefully matched to the original masonry. Both the balustrade and the Victorian fence were painted using supplies donated by Benjamin Moore.

Completed in 2025, the balustrade and Victorian fence on Oatlands’ front lawn have been fully restored and are once again safe for visitors to enjoy.