Restoration

...more artistic musings

The OLD STATE CAPITAL, located in Springfield IL is a living history museum (1839-1867) that has significant historical value because it represents and preserves all that was of our 16th President. Lincoln’s best known speech “HOUSE DIVIDED” was delivered in the House of Representatives Chamber. In addition, it was this very same chamber that the public waited hours to pay their final respects to their beloved President, Abraham Lincoln.

Illinois HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER ~ focused view

This historical landmark is filled with authentic period furniture and objects from the past that often beg questions from inquisitive visitors. Guides were dressed in period clothing glided through the building while offering timed tours to their guests.

Often, General Grant could be seen making an appearance while giving an in-character narration that engaged the visitors, while the Boys-in-Blue tend to an authentic recreated Civil War campsite.

GENERAL GRANT ~ center staircase ~ YANKEE LADIES GREETING GUESTS

Boys-in-Blue Campsite Recreated

After answering the call for “specialty” painters submitted by the IHPA, CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS traveled to Springfield IL to participate in the bidding procedure.

Upon being awarded this procurement, work began in June and would require a six month obligation to complete

Our assignment for the IHPA was to recreate imitation oak wood aka FAUX BOIS on both the north and south portico doors, inside and outside.

Before any historical restoration could begin all doors needed to be stripped, primed along with appropriate base coat matched to the original from 1839-1867. To do this a small chip of paint had been salvaged from small scrapings.

TIME HAD NOT TREATED had not treated these entry doors very well. So much so, that by the time restoration began we were dealing with layers of peeling varnish, weathered sun-bleached paint and mold. Not to mention years of built up debris in the corners of the door moldings that required hours of scrapping with my always handy x-acto knife.