4/27 Pilgrim Hall Museum's Historic Art Restoration Reception

The nation’s oldest continuously operating public museum, Pilgrim Hall Museum, presents Behind the Scenes of the Sargent Painting Restoration wine and cheese reception on Monday, April 27, from 5 to 7 pm at 75 Court Street, Plymouth. The special free event is the first in a series celebrating the conservation-in-progress of their trademark mammoth historic artifact, The Landing of the Pilgrims by Henry Sargent. Donations to support the project are gratefully accepted.

A work of national significance, The Landing of the Pilgrims painting played a role in establishing the Pilgrims as “forefathers” of America, and the landing a central story in the greater narrative of the founding of the United States. The artwork, currently under restoration in the museum’s main hall, presents a rare opportunity to museum, history and art lovers alike to witness the process. Nationally renowned conservators from Olin Conservation are working tirelessly, making significant progress in the painting’s restoration, less than a month into the process. Removal of nearly two centuries of surface grime, dust and numerous layers of varnish have exposed the original façade of the Museum’s beloved trademark work, an astonishing sight to behold. 

Gold Leaf Studios conservators have just begun restoration on the painting’s historic 16’ wide ornate frame by John Doggett on site. The gilt frame is receiving treatment for blackened surfaces and ornamentation, and repair to damaged or missing details and ornaments.

Behind the Scenes of the Sargent Painting Restoration reception allows visitors to view the restoration in progress, meet the conservators, and engage in a question and answer discussion about the project and the restoration process. Interpretation and education on the conservation process and the importance of the historic painting will be offered by Chief Conservator David Olin, of Olin Conservation Inc., Great Falls, VA, and frame conservator, historian and master gilder William Adair of Gold Leaf Studios, of Washington DC. 
 
Olin is renowned for his work on the nation’s most historic works, including portraits of early U.S. Presidents in collections at the Smithsonian, the National Archives and at the nation’s Capitol. Adair, a frame conservator for the Smithsonian Institution and exhibition curator, learned his specialized trade in the Renaissance tradition from master gilders across Europe. The founding Director for the International Institute for Frame Study and a founding member of the Society of Gilders, Adair frequently writes and lectures on frame history and conservation.

Admission to Behind the Scenes at Pilgrim Hall Museum reception is free, reservations are recommended as space is limited to capacity. To make a reservation, please email Robin Nutter at development@pilgrimhallmuseum.org. For more information about Pilgrim Hall Museum, visit www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org, call 508-746-1620 or follow the Museum on Facebook and Twitter.

About Pilgrim Hall Museum

Pilgrim Society, founded in 1820, built Pilgrim Hall Museum in 1824. It is the oldest continuously operating public museum in the country and America’s museum of Pilgrim possessions. Pilgrim Hall’s extraordinary collection of 17th century artifacts, some of which arrived on the Mayflower, illuminates the story of the founding of Plymouth Colony. The Museum is located at 75 Court Street in Historic Plymouth, MA, and is handicap accessible. For more information, including business hours, programs and tickets, visit www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org, call 508-746-1620 or follow the Museum on Facebook and Twitter.