The Receiving Vault at Oak Ridge Cemetery was constructed sometime after the cemetery’s dedication in 1860 to serve as a temporary tomb. The remains of President Abraham Lincoln and his son William were laid to rest here from May 4, 1865 to December 21, 1865 while the more permanent tomb was being constructed.

RATIO served as the historic preservation consultant for the project to address water infiltration issues into the vault and drainage issues around the vault, rehabilitate/restore the vault exterior and rehabilitate/restore the vault interior.

Restoration work included full masonry assessment, restoration, and replacement; full exterior repointing using compatible historic mortar mixture; decorative ironwork restoration at the entrance door and gate; and interior marble cladding and crib cover restoration and cleaning. 

The work was completed in time for the 2015 Lincoln Funeral re-enactment.

I was responsible for completing a full condition assessment on the structure on the masonry and decorative elements, field measurement and creation of existing drawings, creation of rehabilitation drawings and specifications, and overseeing restoration work associated with RATIO's scope.