Legion of Honor

A gift from Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, the Legion of Honor is a replica of the French Pavilion at the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition, itself a three-quarter-scale version of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris, France. At the close of the exposition, the French government granted Spreckels permission to construct a permanent replica of the pavilion.

ARG Conservation Services was retained by the Legion of Honor to preserve the ornate and historically significant building, to improve the overall health of the exterior building materials, and to help slow the building’s rate of deterioration.

One of the most significant challenges at the Legion of Honor arises from the fact that the building and the surrounding grounds are a hub of activity all year round. The museum itself is host to a significant number of events and parties throughout the year, including many that include the installation of a catering tent in the Court of Honor. Flexibility in the construction schedule and coordination with tent crews were crucial in accomplishing project tasks on schedule.

ARG/CS organized the Court of Honor into eight zones, to enable the client to fiscally plan the work and conduct the restoration in phases. Six of the eight zones have been restored, with upcoming work planned for the fall of 2019. The scope of work for each zone included: (1) demolition and reinstallation of deteriorated column capitals, column bases, dentils, and balusters; (2) spall and crack repairs in the interior colonnade, wall return, water table, and balustrade; (3) replacement of deteriorated travertine units; and (4) overall cleaning.