An excellent restoration of a state capitol of that time period was done
in Harrisburg, PA.  Contact Ruthann Kemper at [log in to unmask]

Regards,

Ella Aderman

Pennypacker Mills 

 

________________________________

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Museum of Ashe County History
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] courthouse preservation

 

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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