Ultimately, by using the physical evidence collected by carefully removing the ca. 1901 concrete slab and undertaking a thorough archaeological excavation, the floor was able to be reconstructed.  Because kitchens are functional spaces that are often updated, intact early examples from the 18th and 19th centuries almost never survive.  So by being able to accurately reconstruct the North Kitchen the Restoration Team at Montpelier was able to increase visitors' understanding of how these incredibly important resources looked and functioned.