Restoration of the
Office of the Senate President
Massachusetts State House

Painting - The heavy glazing of the original paint surfaces of the walls, cove and ceiling made it possible to chip away the later layers of paint. The elaborate decorative patterns that became exposed were in excellent condition in many areas of the room but moderately to severely damaged in others.

Working for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, Alexis Elza and other artisans cut new stencils and recreated the original colors to repair the damaged areas. No chipping was done on the intricately decorative cornice; its original graining was simply recreated.

Photograph by Jack Leonard

Stenciled Wall Section