The Museum of Ashe County History is expected to move into a "new" home this
Fall, the historic 1904 courthouse in Jefferson, N.C.  The preservation has
proved a long and painstaking process and we are working on the final
details.  One of the main issues we are trying to sort through is what color
to paint the interior walls of the first floor.  Based on pictures of the
courthouse around 1910, it appears that the walls were left as unpainted
plaster and paint doesn't show up until a photograph from ca. 1935.  So we
are trying to determine what color they would have painted the walls closer
to 1904, had they done so.  We don't think that simply leaving the plaster
as is would be an option, nor is the method of letting people smoke
cigarettes indoors to achieve that historically-accurate yellowing effect.  

 

We have a few paint chip charts from Sherman Williams (Victorian, Arts and
Crafts) and our historic preservation architect suggested they would have
painted the walls a dark color (like a terra cotta) and a darker trim.
However, we think it might be best to go with something lighter and more
neutral if we can justify the choice as historically appropriate.  

 

We are leaning towards painting the walls an off-white or beeswax color,
with a white (or other light color) trim. Does anyone have any experience
restoring historic courthouses from the period?  I've looked through photos
of similar courthouses, and contacted the sister courthouse in a nearby
county to see if they have any evidence of wall colors, but so far it has
been to no avail.  Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Cheers,

 

Natalya Hopper, Intern

MACH


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