Hale Library of Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Mural Restoration and Conservation
Hale Library is located at the Campus of Kansas State University. It was constructed by architects Thomas H. Beedy and Charles Cuthbert and was completed in 1927. On May 22nd of 2018, the library caught on fire causing extensive damages. The fire was located on the roof of the historic part of the building exposing the area to the surrounding elements. Five historic murals were severely damaged by prolonged exposure to water, smoke and falling debris.
Four of the murals were by renown artist David H. Overmyer and were oil on plaster while the 5th mural by the KSU student body was latex on burlap. The prolonged exposure to water and environmental factors resulted in unforeseen circumstances. Since the murals were still being exposed to the elements until the restoration of the building was completed, a different approach had to be considered for treatment. There was no way to envision the full extent of the damage to the murals until the wall became fully dry and the damage exposing the murals to the outside elements were resolved. A partial conservation treatment was executed to stabilize the murals while construction was underway. A temporary protective shell was constructed around the Overmyer murals to prevent any further exposure.to the elements and periodic examinations were undertaken to prevent and document any further damage. The “We are the Dream” mural by the student body was completely removed from the wall and conserved in the studio.
Treatment Methodology:
Once the moisture levels of the wall were lowered and the murals seemed stabilized, tests were conducted to determine the best means and methods for treatment. All flaking paint was stabilized, cleaned and re-adhered to the plaster surface. All previous repair work was removed and any plaster loss was infilled with matching texture. The “We are the Dream mural on burlap was surface cleaned, all debris from the back of the burlap was removed and areas of burlap loss repaired. All of the flaking paint was stabilized, and areas of loss were infilled. An isolating vanish was applied to further consolidate and isolate the original work from any new work done on their surface. Finally, the murals were inpainted to match original work and a final varnish was applied to make the finish homogenous aesthetically.
Removing all debris and adhesive residue from the back of the canvas
Flaking paint and canvas delamination
Canvas repairs and reinforcement of edges
Canvas repairs
Overall of mural after conservation treatment
All work accomplished follows the Secretary of the Interior”s “Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” and the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) standards
Agriculture
Detail of mural, example of the water damage
Detail of mural, drip marks from the stained wood of the ceiling caused by water damage
Detail of mural after conservation treatment
Detail of mural after inpainting
Overall of mural after conservation treatment
Home Economics
Detail of mural during conservation treatment
Detail of mural before inpainting procedure
Detail of mural during inpainting procedure
Detail of mural after inpainting
Overall of mural after conservation treatment
Science and Industry
Example of a plaster distortion. The plaster layers began to delaminate from each other
Example of efflorescence arising from the water damage
Overall of mural after conservation treatment
The Arts
Example of the extent of the water damage
Paint layer discoloration
Detail of mural before inpainting
Detail of mural after inpainting
Overall mural after conservation treatment
“All work accomplished follows the Secretary of the Interior's “Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” and the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) standards
Comments