Textile Conservation
Collections Survey
Exhibitions

Architectural Interiors

The textile components of historic interiors are often neglected and in need of conservation and restoration. Museum Textile Services works with curators, homeowners, architects and interior designers to endure that textiles are fully analyzed, preserved and interpreted.
Fabric wall coverings need to be cleaned with great care. Over the years they absorb smoke, fireplace soot and other pollutants, which leads to accelerated degradation. 

Wall coverings can be accidentally destroyed by overly aggressive cleaning and should be treated by a conservator.
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From September 2001 to June 2002, Museum Textile Services participated in the restoration of historic Gillette Castle in Hadlyme, CT. Gillette Castle is the second most visited tourist destination in Connecticut. Built between 1914 and 1919 by actor William Gillette, the castle is an eclectic example of American Arts and Crafts sensibility with a darkly romantic, European flavor.

Gillette Castle: Before Conservation

Museum Textile Services was hired to perform analysis, documentation, conservation, and restoration of the grass wall coverings. Years of tourism had taken a toll and the textiles were faded, dirty, water-stained, and had been picked at by souvenir hunters. 

Gillette Castle: During Conservation

Nearly 4000 square feet of wall coverings were conserved, repaired, repainted, and coated with a UV-absorbant protective coating. Wall coverings in the Library were replaced with replicas woven from raffia and cotton.

Gillette Castle: After Conservation

Images courtesy of State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Many thanks to Kronenberger & Sons Restoration and to our amazing on-site team of Melanie Clifton-Harvey, Abby Freeman, and Sophie Hammond-Hagman.