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Show Elizabeth Provost, Susan Holt, Wilson Martin The Utah State Capitol, completed in 1916, has been the pride of Utah citizens ever since its dedication. Sixty thousand visitors marvel at its monumental elegance each year. However, after over eight decades of constant use and exposure to the harsh Utah climate, many features of this building are in need of repair. In 1996, a major conservation project was completed on the murals in the dome area. These murals were added to the Art conservator Elizabeth Provost examines the murals up close. building under the federal government's Works Progress Administration in the 1930' s. This program helped out- of- work artists during the depression by commissioning them to do work for the government. Many improvements were made in public buildings through this program. The dome " Seagulls" was painted by William Slater. The upper friezes and lower murals were designed by Lee Greene Richards, who was influenced by a San Francisco artist and muralist John MacQuarrie. These murals were then painted by local artists Gordon H. Cope, Waldo P. Midgley, and Hany Rasmussen. The murals and friezes were originally painted at the fairgrounds then transported to the State Capitol building where they were cut and mounted to fit the curves of the walls. They are mounted with water- soluble paste and large tacks. Initial observations made by art conservator Elizabeth Provost, with the aid of flood lights and binoculars, revealed water damage throughout the dome area and murals. The water had also damaged the plaster and moldings above and below the friezes and murals. When water came into contact with the plaster and metal mesh located behind the murals it created many problems, including rust and decay-ing plaster. The seeping mixture of dissolving materials also caused the paint pigments to fade and the brittle yellowed varnish to bloom and fail completely in some areas. The failing plaster formed bulging pockets behind the murals UTAH PRESERVATION and friezes. Only small areas of plas-ter wall behind the murals could be fixed from the front; other parts could not bc repaired without removing the murals completely and rebuilding the walls. This procedure would be costly and was not undertaken at this time. REMEDIES The first objective was to stop the water. This was accomplished with a new dome covering and repairs to windows above the murals. The second objective would nor-lnally be to remove the murals, repair the substrata base, remove and replace wire mcsh, replace plaster, and rein-stall the murals. Ilowever, because of the high cost of this procedure, a repair- in- place policy was implement-ed. r 7 1 he overall goal was to repair water damage on the surface of the murals and to clean and preserve them with-out changing the characteristics of the original artwork. This was accorn-plished with the following steps: First, the surfaces were cleaned, using naphtha, a solvent with a very fast evaporative rate. All areas which could be reached were cleaned and carefully blended into the surrounding areas. Second, all bloomed varnish was removed, mid the discolored varnish was lightened. It was suggested, although not implemented at this time, that all of the varnish be ren~ oved and the murals be re- varnished nith a more flexible, non- yellowing varnish. Third, the murals needed to be attached where they were loose. The loose areas \ xrere filled with plaster board and fix- all, then re- attached with water- soluble glue. Fourth, a process was used to draw out as milch of the natural pig-ment colors on damaged areas as pos-sible. This helped to minimize the amount of touch up paint needed. Fifth, the remaining discolored areas were touched up using oil based paint, mixed with a removable var-nish. This touch- up was applied with alternating coats of varnish to build up the surface areas of missing varnish. CONCLUSION Much needs to be done in order to ensure the longterm preservation of lhese murnls and the State Capitol itself. This project dealt with only the most significant problems with the murals. During your next visit, take a closer look at these mar-vclous artistic worlcs. Q Elizabeth Provost is a% ~ i r ct o nservator living in Salt Luke City, l l t ~ t h . Szisatz Halt is r~ pl- eservation consultant living in Suit Lake City, litah. Wilso~ z Martin is Deputy Strrte Historic Yre. ssvoatiotz Officer with tlze Division c? f' Stirte Histoq. Sure, we offer you a lot. Like advice, help, and even grants for your preservation projects. A great collection of historical photos ( more than half a million) for you to browse and use. Publications full of discovery and insight. A library packed with microfilm, photos, and manuscripts- and expert research assis-tance to help you get intimate with the past. We've got activities for school children, programs for prehis-tory buffs, a fascinating exhibit, and a one- of- a- kind bookshop. But just as important is what you can offer. When you join the Historical Society, you become an important voice for preserv-ing the past. Join us. Together, we'll move history forward. Yes, I want to be a driving force for Utah history. Enter my one- year membership in the category checked. As a member, I'll receive Historical Society periodicals, including Utah Preservation and Utah Historical Quarterly. Mail to: Membership Secretary Utah State Historical Society 300 Rio Grande Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Name Address State Zip rn Individual $ 20.00 a Institutional $ 20.00 0 Student $ 15.00 Contributing $ 25.00 0 Senior ( 65+) $ 1 5.00 Sustaining $ 35.00 0 Patron $ 50.00 0 Business $ 100.00 0 Centennial $ 100.00 Please enclose a check or money order. Or call ( 801) 533- 3525 to charge your membership. 0 Sponsor $ 250.00 Benefactor $ 350.00 Life $ 500.00 . COOPERIROBERTS ARCHITECTS 700 NORTH 200 WEST SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84103 TEL: ( 801) 355- 5915 FAX: ( 801) 355- 9885 A Utah leader in historic building restoration and renovation Register of Historic Places. The firm also has completed more design for 22 years, CooperRoberts Architects has recently than a score of " tax act" projects resulting in tax credits for its moved into one of its own projects: the former 24th Ward clients in compliance with " The Secretary of the Interior's Meetinghouse at 700 N. 200 West in Salt Lake City. Built Standards for Rehabilitation." in 1907 and designed by Young & Sons Architects, the pic- Recent major projects of the firm include a feasibility study turesque Victorian Romanesque structure was a significant for the historic Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City, the work of architect Joseph Don Carlos Young, a son of restoration of the historic Logan Tabernacle for the Church of Brigham Young. The striking brick edifice has been Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints and the conversion of the 1918 upgraded for re- use by Paulsen Engineering & Coh~ mbus School to a multiple- use civic center for South Salt Construction. The goal of principal architects Wallace N. Lake City. The latter project entails renovating a 44,000 Cooper 2 and Allen D. Roberts has been to carefully restore square- foot, Spanish Colonial Revival building into a senior cit-and renovate the building, extending its lifetime and rein- izens center, police and public safety dispatch station and civic forcing its role as a visual landmark in the Capitol Hill auditorium. CooperIRoberrs also designed the recently complet-neighborhood. Adesign priority has been the preservation ed $ 1.5 million restoration/ renovation of the historic and enhancement of the building's interior and exterior Commercial Club Building, a landmark in Salt Lake City's character- defining features. Exchange Place Historic District, and recently received the With over 25 years of experience each, both Mr. Cooper commission to expand and re- image the exterior of the visitor & Mr. Roberts are career specialists in the preservation and center at Bryce Canyon National Park. restoration of historic buildings. Cooper/ Roberts Architects CooperIRoberts has received numerous local and national was the first firm in Utah established to specialize in historic awards for the excellence of its restoration/ renovation projects. building architecture. During its 22 years it has completed The firm's experienced 14- member staff provides a wide range over 200 restorations of buildings listed on the National of services for existing and new buildings including feasibility and cost analysis studies, planning and programming. glass re- created by Sandy Stewart for the Parley- Willlams Mansion located on - 3 STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ~~~~~ + SlDtLiGHlS B TRANSOMS * DOOR INSERTS 4. CABINET DOOR INSERTS -:- SKYLIGHTS 9 ROOM DIVIDERS TURN YOUR HOME INTO i9 MiSNSIONI Direct Importer Sales and Service Excellent Seleci., 215 South Edison Street ( I45 East), Downtown Salt Lake City . and Prices 6 3 - RUG! The mission of the Utah Heritage Foundation is to preserve, protect, and promote Utah's historic built environ-ment through public awareness, advo-cacy, and active preservation. Founded in 1966, UHF is a statewide non- profit organization supported mainly by membership and private resources. UHF fulfills its mission through a wide range of programs and activities. PUBLIC AWARENESS a Annual Historic Homes Tour of privately- owned historic buildings. Regular tours of Salt Lake City landmarks. School programs & tours about Utah's historic architecture & history. a Annual Heritage Awards recognizing exemplary preservation statewide. a Special events, workshops, publications. ADVOCACY UHF advocates preservation- oriented public policies by drafting legislation, testifying before legislative committees, and lobbying for the passage of bills which protect Utah's historic resources. ACTIVE PRESERVATION Revolving Fund Loan Programs pro-vide low- interest loans to rehabilitate historic residential and small commer-cial properties. Call ( 801) 533- 0858 for information on programs, services, or membership. Utah Heritage Foundation P. O. Box 28 Salt Lake City, UT 841 10- 0028 Home- Tech, Inc. General Contracting Renovation, Restoration, Remodeling Home- Tech, Inc. General Contracting Renovation Restoration Remodeling P. O. Box 526396 Salt Lake City, UT 841 52- 6396 ( 801 ) 484- 9360 Fax ( 801) 461- 01 10 www. home- renovation. com State Stone Corporation, Inc. State Stone Corporation, Inc. 4640 S. 300 W. Salt Lake City, UT I f you have enjoyed the beauties of City Creek Park, lingered on one of the arched stone bridges, rested for a ( 801 262.9323 moment on one of the lovely stone bench- Fax ( 801) 262- 1625 es or strolled along the carefully con-structed stone- paved footpaths, then you have experienced firsthand the expertise across the United States and from Mexico and Italy." MacKay's projects are numerous and ' impressive, including work on the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco, the Governor's Mansion, retaining walls for Bryce and Zion national parks, and restoration work on three historic LDS temples in St. George, Manti and Vernal. His client list features such celebrities as Barbara Walters, Harrison Ford, Don Johnson and Tom Cruise. Along with major projects, State Stone m I tackles smaller jobs. " We do it all," says MacKay. " We have a fabricating shop right in Salt Lake. We also have a sawing and fabricating plant in Torrey, Utah. We have crews for any size job. We do fire-of State Stone's artisans and craftsmen. Keith MacKay, owner of the 46- years-strong business, is committed to - stonework of the hiehest caliber. " We u own or lease many of our own quames, and we know the quality of our stone from the minute it comes out of the mountain-m! pmUon 1r. Z THE NAME THAT MEANS QUALITY side. We quarry sandstone in both red and buff colors, travertine, roilite and ooletic limestone. We also import stone from I places, countertops, entryways, floors, waterfalls, fountains and pools, to name a few." With headquarters in Salt Lake City, State Stone offers a retail store, a stone yard, fabricating, hand carving, and a full complement of design and restoration ser-vices. Notes MacKay, " We've been at this 46 years, and we're proud to provide our customers the best quality service and widest selection of stone available." |
