National Preservation Month
“As the pace of change accelerates in the world around us, Americans more than ever need a lively awareness of our roots and origins in the past on which to base our sense of identity in the present and our directions for the future.” First Lady Patricia Nixon
May is dedicated to National Preservation Month. We have always been inspired by the interiors we have the opportunity to preserve and restore, and if you follow us on social media, we often share details of past projects that were originally created by inspired craftsmen and artists of the time.
In celebration of National Preservation Month, we are sharing a few things we've learned on some of our favorite projects:
1. Union Station, Washington, DC
The Legionnaire statues were design by Louis Saint-Gaudens, the younger brother to Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Each of the statues was hand carved by Saint-Gaudens and they are considered to be his greatest works. All figures were based on a young student, Helmus Andrews.
Almost fifty years after the completion of the statutes, Andrews finally visited the station and considered the statues to be "pretty crummy".
2. Hamilton Smith Hall, University of New Hampshire
In 1940, three artists were selected, through the New Hampshire Federal Art Project (FAP) to provide murals for the University of New Hampshire.
The FAP hired hundreds of artists to collectively create more than 100,000 painting and murals and over 18,000 sculptures.
In New Hampshire alone, at least 14 new post offices were built and at least 5 included a new mural.
3. The Academy of Music, Ballroom, Philadelphia, PA
The Academy of Music is the nations oldest grand opera house that is still used in its original function.
The restoration of the ballroom was guided by the discovery of an 1860 photograph, historic paint investigation, microscopy analysis.
The replication of the original trompe l'oeil features incorporated 18 distinct hues, mid-tones, highlights, and low lights that resulted in the use of over 100 paint colors.
4. The Maryland State House, Old Senate Chamber, Annapolis, MD
The Old Senate Chamber was restored, not to a particular period in history, but to a specific point in time. It has been restored to its appearance on December 23, 1783 when General George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief.
Washington's resignation has been depicted in paintings and sculptures by many artists, such as a bas-relief scene at the North Carolina State Capitol and a life size painting in the United States Capitol rotunda.
But to now be able to stand in the room with the same materials, application methods, colors scheme, furniture arrangement, etc., just may be our favorite portrayal yet.
5. Grand Central Station, Sky Mural, New York, NY
Grand Central Terminal is a world-famous landmark and serves more than 750,000 passengers a day. The Sky Mural, designed by Paul Helleu, is an iconic feature
But did you know that the view of the constellation is not as expected. While we may think it more logical for the composition to have an earth-to-heavens point of view, it is actually portrayed from beyond the constellations looking down toward the earth through them.
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