In October 2024, Hillwood’s collections staff observed a black discharge beneath the porphyry urn, which also caused staining on the monument. While the cause remains unknown, it has been confirmed that the discharge did not originate from the urn itself. To prevent further damage, the urn was removed, and the monument was cleaned.

On May 28, a replica of the porphyry urn was installed atop the monument in the rose garden. Following Marjorie Post’s death in 1973, her children acquired two porphyry urns – one was placed on the rose garden monument, while the second remained in storage.

Using the urn in storage (acc. no. 22.3) as a model, the Collections team partnered with a Maryland-based company to create a specialized, advanced 3D scan of the original urn. That scan was then used by a Baltimore-based company to fabricate a replica, which was finished with an epoxy coating and carefully painted and textured to match the color and appearance of the original.

The original urn, which sat on top of the monument, has been rehoused and is now in storage waiting for future conservation.

Click here for an image of the replica urn in the rose garden.