When the chimneypiece was removed from the Dining Room in the 1880s and replaced with a Victorian-styled mantel, the stone or plaster surround that had faced the fireplace’s surround in Madison’s time was also removed.  Later, in 1901, the ca. 1880 mantel was removed and a new marble chimneypiece was installed.  The installation of both of these mantels caused the fireplace to be altered extensively and so at the start of the Restoration it was not known if plaster or stone had been used to face the fireplace’s surround.