Former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier is currently working on a gingerbread replica of George Washington’s mansion as part of the “Christmas at Mount Vernon” event organized by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The replica will be on display from Nov. 27 to Jan. 6.

This year, the replica of the mansion will include intricate details such as works of art on walls, as well as marzipan figures of George and Martha Washington. Mesnier is also recreating the surrounding landscape, including a river, a hill, the historic pecan tree near the mansion and animals that the president was particularly fond of.

“When making this sort of piece, it is extremely important to have a proper plan, which was the most difficult part,” Mesnier said.

According to Mesnier, the finished gingerbread mansion will be 35-inches long and 25-inches tall, excluding the landscape.

“It is going to be huge with all the surroundings,” he said.

esnier said that he will use 300 pounds of gingerbread dough, 70 pounds of chocolate and 30 to 40 pounds of marzipan, plus powdered sugar for icing – the total weight will be about 400 pounds.

esnier is a French-American pastry chef who served as executive pastry chef at the White House for 25 years. Mesnier said that this project is more than [a simple exhibition of his work](https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-events/roland-mesnier-builds-a-gingerbread-house,1159374.html).

“I am not being paid for this event. I have donated my time for this event since last year because to me, serving at the former president George Washington’s mansion is like serving at [the] White House,” Mesnier said. “I am very glad to extend the experience.”

Aside from Mesnier’s gingerbread mansion, “Christmas at Mount Vernon” will feature themed decorations at the estate, including 12 Christmas trees, colonial chocolate-making demonstrations and 18th-century dancing. Visitors will also be able to view the rarely opened third floor of the mansion and have the chance to meet the charming “Mrs. Washington” at this exclusively Christmastime event.”