Paint Color Workshop to Help Homeowners Choose Historic Paint Colors

NEW BEDFORD PRESERVATION COALITION - Fort Taber/Fort Rodman Historical Assocation • New Bedford Historical Commission • New Bedford Historical Society • New Bedford Preservation Society • City of New Bedford • New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park • Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum • WHALE

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New Bedford - Even though the weather is turning colder and winter is fast approaching, now is the perfect time to think about painting your house next spring. If you own a historic home, choosing paint colors can be a daunting task. There are a number of things to consider – the architectural style of your house, what colors were typically used on that style, and how many colors should you use. If you need help choosing colors that would be appropriate for your house, there is a free workshop coming up that will help get you started.

The New Bedford Preservation Coalition is sponsoring a Historic Paint Color Workshop on Saturday, November 7 from 9 AM-12 noon at the Corson Maritime Learning Center (adjacent to the Visitor Center on William Street). The Coalition is collaborative of local preservation organizations including New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the City of New Bedford, New Bedford Historical Commission, New Bedford Preservation Society, the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, the New Bedford Historical Society, the Fort Taber/Fort Rodman Historical Association, and WHALE.

Two renowned paint color experts, Frederic C. Detwillwer and John Vaughn, will be on hand to share examples of various architectural styles, houses with appropriate paint color schemes, and those paint schemes that should be avoided. Homeowners are encouraged to bring photos of their home with them to the workshop for the experts to analyze and make recommendations.

“This is a great educational opportunity for homeowners to learn what colors will work best on their home,” said Mark Fuller, President of New Bedford Preservation Society.

“If you own a historic home, this is a must attend workshop” said Lisa Bergson of WHALE. “Choosing appropriate paint colors for your historic home can add tremendous value to your home.”

Frederic C. Detwillwer is an architect and preservation planner with New England Landmarks. He has a B.A. in Architecture from Princeton University and a M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. He has extensive experience with historic properties and paint colors and has worked on a number of noteworthy projects including Boston’s Faneuil Hall Markets, the Daniel Webster estate, and the African Meetinghouse and Paul Revere House in Boston. He is author of articles for Old-Time New England, has spoken extensively to regional groups on historic preservation and delivered the Museum of Fine Arts’ Devens Lecture on Boston’s 18th c. Palladian architecture.

Principal of Architectural Conservation Services, John B. Vaughan’s education at Roger Williams University’s Historic Preservation Program and his in-field experience gives him a unique overview and broad understanding of historic materials, techniques, and building systems.

“We are really excited about Frederic and John coming to New Bedford and sharing their vast experience and knowledge with our homeowners”, said Janine DaSilva, preservation specialist for New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Within Mr. Vaughan’s role as Architectural Conservator, he has undertaken the investigation, analysis, and implementation of numerous conservation and preservation. Past work projects encompass an eclectic array of eras, structures, and materials that range from the vernacular to the high style residences, service stations, railroad stations, churches, mills, opera houses, diners, and agricultural and industrial resources dating from the 17th to the 20th century.

Architectural Conservation Services (ACS) of Bristol, RI, provides analytical, investigative, and assessment services for historic structures and building materials with a specialization in the analysis of historic decorative finishes. Past projects include such significant sites as President James Madison’s Montpelier, the Harriet Tubman House & Church, the Mark Twain House, the William Seward’s Residence, and Joseph Smith’s House.

Established in 2008, the New Bedford Preservation Coalition provides a forum for collaboration and sharing resources on historic preservation issues that affect the New Bedford community such as advocacy, regulation, education, preservation & development (bricks & mortar), planning & technical support, and programming.

Anyone interested in attending this free workshop should contact WHALE at 508-997-1776 to reserve your space.