Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC was awarded a five year contract for annual conservation maintenance of the Barnard Statuary and Mexican War Monument both located within the state capitol complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The conservation treatments for both were designed by the project architect, Vitetta. 

In 1902 the Pennsylvania Capitol Building Commission commissioned the artist George Grey Barnard to design and execute the sculptures for the entranceway of the new state capitol. The statuary flank the west entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol building and consist of two separate groups of sculptures: the North Group, “Love and Labor: the unbroken Law” and the South Group, “The Burden of Life: The Broken Law.” The major theme of the sculptures is man’s suffering or prospering in measure with his fulfillment of the laws of God and Nature.

The sculptures are carved from Carrara marble which is characterized as a pure, fine grain white marble generally homogeneous in texture with occasional bands of slightly harder inclusions. There is occasional gray veining and the south relief has a visible yellowish color with pronounced gray and brown veining. This intrinsic yellow color was noticed by Barnard during carving but did not impede the completion of the sculptures.

A conditions survey of the sculptural groups was performed and has served as a guide for planning, documenting, implementing, and monitoring the conservation treatments. It was necessary to understand the baseline conditions of the sculptures and the extent of previous treatments.

Conservation treatments were performed as a means to repair and refresh any failed previous treatments and other areas of deterioration.  Treatments included repair of mortar joints, composite repairs, and fissures, in-painting of repairs, consolidation of disaggregating stone, reattachment and pinning of loose elements, biological growth mitigation, and iron stain removal.  A detailed final report is provided to the client at the end of each year of conservation maintenance.

In addition to the annual conservation work presented above, Milner + Carr Conservation is working with the PA Capitol Preservation Committee to digitally scan the sculptures and use the digital interface as a tool to organize treatment information and monitor specific conditions. 

The treatment of incipient spalling at the North and South Portico Columns of the Second Bank of the United States represents dramatic advancements in preservation technology.    This project marks the culmination of a multi-year research and testing initiative performed by the Architectural Conservation Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania , School of Design in partnership with the National Park Service.  The treatments designed for this project signify a new era in effectively addressing the deterioration phenomenon characteristically associated with Pennsylvania blue marble. 

The unique process involves a multidisciplinary approach of adapting tools designed for the medical industry for an application in architectural conservation.  Due to the physical composition of the Pennsylvania blue marble and degrees of deterioration, two separate, and equally effective treatments were developed and tested.  The first system (Dry System) involves the mechanical reattachment of partially spalled, but sound, stone by means of titanium and stainless steel orthopedic bone screws.  The second treatment (Wet System), intended for stone that is more deteriorated, employs ceramic rods set with adhesive.  Both of these treatments are designed to prevent the spalled areas from becoming fully detached.  Grouting was performed in addition to reattaching the spalled stone to its parent column.  This specially formulated compatible grout mixture was used to fill voids behind spalls and protect against damage from freeze thaw cycling.

In keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation and the Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, these systems are reversible.  This means that should further advancements in the field of preservation come along to better address this issue, these repairs can be removed without any adverse effect to the stone. 

This is the first time these two unique systems have been implemented on a large scale. On-site conservation treatments were executed by Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC in the spring and fall of 2006.  Over 900 pins and screws were inserted throughout 375 identified spalls and will continue to be monitored to assess their efficacy. This innovative treatment will have profound effects on the conservation of not only Pennsylvania blue marble, such as in this application, but on other types of stones exhibiting similar deterioration mechanisms.  This project was the recipient of the 2007 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

In October of 2006, Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC performed a survey of the exterior marble façade of the Atwater Kent Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to identify and assess existing exterior conditions of the Pennsylvania blue marble elements on the West Elevation. 

The building, currently occupied by the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia, was designed by Architect John Haviland in 1825 to serve as the first official Hall of the Franklin Institute.  It remained the home of the Franklin Institute until 1933.  In 1937, the building was acquired by A. Atwater Kent, a radio manufacturing pioneer, and given to the City of Philadelphia the following year to house a new museum of the city’s history.

The front west façade, executed in Pennsylvania blue marble, is one of the most significant features of the building. Its composition is loosely based on the Choragic Monument of Thrasyllus comprised of four Tuscan-styled pilasters rising from simple bases at street level supporting an unadorned architrave, a frieze decorated with wreaths, and a simple projecting cornice.  The main entrance to the building is situated within the center bay of the west façade and is accessed by six marble steps and a shallow stoop. 

The survey was conducted in conjunction with the Historic Structure Report project.  All marble components and architectural features of the west façade were surveyed in including the entablature, the pilasters, and the porch.  To assess the condition of the Pennsylvania blue marble elements, sixteen conditions were chosen to assist in establishing patterns of deterioration. 

The methods used for the conditions survey included visual inspection and mechanical sounding and probing of stones.  The visual survey was conducted at close range throughout the west elevation, both at ground level and by way of mechanical high reach.  Conditions were noted by hand on scaled drawings, and then digitized using AutoCAD®.  Typical conditions noted include deteriorated marble and incipient spalls, loss of mortar between stones, biogrowth, staining, and cracks.  A final report was included in the HSR along with prioritized recommended treatments.

In September of 2007 MCC examined and documented the condition of the existing windows. The scope of work included a survey of all windows to assess their age, condition and performance value in a museum setting. To summarize the findings of the survey, a series of recommendations were provided to conserve existing historic elements, retrofit existing units for energy efficiency and replace non-historic units.

Construction of the First Bank began in 1795, and Claudius LeGrand & Sons are attributed to cutting, carving and finishing the Pennsylvania blue marble in 1797.  Samuel Blodget, Jr. is the attributed designer of the building. Pennsylvania blue marble has been the subject of recent research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania at the Second Bank of the United States and the Merchants’ Exchange Building both nearby buildings in the park.  Research has revealed information about the deterioration mechanisms of this material and associated problems with its architectural use.  

In August and September of 2006, Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC performed a survey of the First Bank of the United States, located in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The scope of this project was to identify and assess the condition of the classically inspired marble Pennsylvania blue marble east façade and portico, which includes three sculptural relief panels and ten Corinth-style pilasters.  The condition survey was implemented with the intent to locate damaged areas and to recommend treatments for the marble elements.  The areas of most severe damage were documented and recommended for emergency stabilization treatments. 

The methods used for the conditions survey included visual inspection and mechanical sounding and probing of stones.  Prior to this survey hand drawn HABS drawings of the building were digitized in AutoCAD by NPS personnel and broken into sections by Milner + Carr Conservation to facilitate on-site survey.  The visual survey was conducted at close range throughout the east elevation at ground level and by way of mechanical high reach.  These conditions were noted by hand on the scaled drawings, and then entered into AutoCAD format.  Areas identified in this survey requiring immediate attention were treated to stabilize their deterioration.  The findings of condition survey and scope of the emergency treatment were included in a detailed report provided to the National Park Service.

In May of 2005 & 2006, Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC in association with John Milner Architects, Inc. examined stucco, mortar, and plaster samples from Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s home in San Francisco de Paula, Cuba .  Samples were taken by Cuban conservators from several distinct locations on architectural components to assess building chronology.  This analysis was part of an international effort between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Cuban government to restore the badly deteriorated historical site. 

Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC performed paint exposures on the ceiling of the South Portico Room at Hampton National Historical Site, Towson, Maryland.  This investigation was initiated in response to a comprehensive upgrade of the climate control systems throughout the Main House.  The areas chosen for the exposures correspond with those areas of plaster designated to be removed to accommodate new supply and return vents. 

The goal of this exploration was to identify any extant decorative painting schemes and document their condition prior to the mechanical intervention.  In addition to the work executed on the ceiling the project conservators, in response to a request by the Historic Hampton Representative, performed an exposure on the wall.  The report provided to the client outlines the findings of this exploration and provides recommendations for appropriate steps towards conservation and interpretation of the room’s decorative painting schemes.

MCC began by testing a number of systems to determine the safest and most effective means of systematically removing and exposing the layers of paint. Both chemical and mechanical methods were tested in selected areas of plaster.

The exposures on the ceiling provided insight into how the decorative banding is resolved at the corners and how the paint layers were applied. A similar exposure was performed on the west wall just above the chair rail and was helpful in identifying that the wall may have been painted over in monochrome to hide previous repairs.

This type of analysis was an important step in understanding the evolution of the building and how it is interpreted. Recommendations were provided to the client to assist in preservation planning and budgeting purposes. 

Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC performed conservation treatment of the Gardiner’s Corner Mural (“Thar Blows)” on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts in September of 2006 to stabilize original paint layers in the compass rose portion of the mural. 

The initial concept and design of the mural is credited to H. Marshall Gardiner (1884-1942) who came to the island in 1910 as photographer and agent for Eastman Kodak.  Gardiner purchased the building on the corner of Main and Water Streets, now home to the Polo Ralph Lauren store, and established a photography and arts supply shop which offered the only on-island photo finishing service.  The quirky and random assortment of places incorporated in the design of the mural are attributed to sites relevant to Gardiner’s life, such as his family homes in Dayton Beach and Mackinac Island, as well as sites relevant to Nantucket whalers.  Although the original artists name is unknown, evidence on hand painted business signs of that period indicate that he/she was local.

The first step in the treatment process involved removing dirt and previous repairs from the surface of the compass rose.  Reattachment of loosely adhered paint along the border of the compass rose involved injection of an adhesive behind the detached paint in order to reattach the piece to the substrate and to stabilize the paint before application of masking material. Once all the loose or bulging paint was stabilized the consolidation solution was tested.  The entire surface of the piece was then misted with the barrier solution to protect the painted surfaces and exposed wood from future deterioration.  Once the barrier layer was applied and allowed to dry the inpainting proceeded. 

In January of 2006, Old St. Joseph’s Church, Philadelphia, PA, contracted Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC to perform an exterior condition survey and oversee exterior masonry conservation of the church and courtyard elevations. The masonry restoration was performed in the summer of 2006 by Premier Building Restoration under the consultation of Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC.

The elements of Old St. Joseph’s Church are over one hundred and seventy years old (having been built in 1739) and in many sections even two hundred and fifty years old (the bricks having been recycled from the 1757 church that stood in the same location).  The exterior walls of the complex have held up relatively well despite inappropriate repairs throughout the twentieth century. Typical conditions noted included deteriorated or spalled brick, loss of mortar between brick, vertical cracks, efflorescence, previous coatings, and pointing with dense mortar.  Interior conditions of the church and rectory were examined and assessed only where they appeared to correlate with the conditions observed on the exterior. 

Cracked and open mortar joints were removed and the joints were re-pointed with a softer lime based mortar mix. Deteriorated and inappropriate modern bricks were replaced with softer more compatible brick units.  The paint on the marble sills, lintels and band coursing were carefully removed.  The brick masonry was cleaned with low pressure water to remove biological growth and atmospheric soiling. 

In addition, MCC conserved two of the historic marble monuments on the interior courtyard.  The first of these is a dedication plaque marking the date of construction and subsequent building constructions.  The carved inscription had become illegible and required a light tinting.  The marble bust and frame dedicated to Father Felix Joseph Barbelin SJ was missing certain elements including a cross and two lamps.  These elements were scaled from historic photographs, carved by MCC stone carver Roger Wing, and installed to restore the monuments composition.  The doves head was repaired and the entire piece cleaned prior to rededication by the church.    

During the spring and summer of 2005, Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC completed a condition assessment of all grave markers and conservation of Priority 1 grave markers at the Hermitage Cemetery, Centreville, Maryland.   Sixteen markers were identified as Priority 1 and chosen for immediate conservation treatment based on their historical significance and accelerated state of disrepair. Conditions observed throughout this site included biological growth, single and multiple horizontal fractures of head and foot stones, recessed and misaligned tablets.  Treatment of two tablets included the reconstruction of multiple fractures and recreation of missing sections.