Light Control Measures at Hill-Stead

May is Preservation month!

Light-mitigating measures at Hill-Stead MuseumIn timely recognition,  Hill-Stead Museum announces significant funding from a local private foundation to implement light control measures in the historic house. In the coming weeks, new sheer weave, light-mitigating window shades will be installed at all windows in the period rooms. The shades will significantly lower the light levels that have streamed in since the house was built in 1901, thereby better protecting the priceless treasures collected by Alfred Pope with minimal change to the  visitor experience.

Since the early 1980s Hill-Stead has had UV-filtering storm windows but “visible light” is also damaging to paintings, works-on-paper, natural wood and painted finishes, textiles, and other objects. Theodate Pope was an early preservationist and we think she would agree that filtering the views to the outdoors for the long-term well-being of the artworks and objects on the inside that both she and her father so loved is a fitting trade. The “views” on the inside of Hill-Stead remain as beautiful and inspiring as ever.

#ThisPlaceMatters

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