Old Main - Present day matches to archive photos
12/19/12
File showing images from Old Main through 1930's to 1940's with matching images from approximately same locations in 2012.
Frescoes
Frescoes
Final plans approved for Old Main renovations
11/16/12
Penn State's Board of Trustees Friday (Nov. 16) approved the final plans for renovations to Old Main's infrastructure and architecture. The plans, designed by Ann Beha Architects of Boston, include a strategy for a phased renovation of the lobby, conservation of the Land Grant Frescoes, plumbing upgrades and replacement of the perimeter heat system. The main lobby will be temperature and humidity controlled to preserve the frescoes.
Work ongoing to conserve fragile history in Old Main
11/15/12
A multi-year project has begun to repair a half-century of environmental damage and conserve the Land-Grant Frescoes that are a treasured piece of American art history in the lobby of Old Main. The frescoes are full of surprises, and many are coming to light as conservators pore over University archives, repair a half-century of environmental damage and return these works of art to their original condition. Thanks to a generous philanthropic gift from L. James Smauch '36 Sci, a multi-year project has begun to restore the Old Main lobby, conserve the frescoes and preserve this treasured piece of American art history. John Rita and Ted Holland from Harrisburg-based Albert Michaels Conservation have set up a mobile laboratory in Old Main and are working their way around the lobby, inspecting, cleaning, stabilizing and inpainting (the reinstatement of lost pigment) the frescoes.
Conservators begin work on Penn State's Land-Grant Frescoes
3/12/12
Preliminary work began March 12 on the restoration of the lobby of Old Main and the conservation and ultimate preservation of the historic Land-Grant Frescoes on Penn State's University Park campus. The frescoes project, funded by a $1.5 million gift from an anonymous donor, will be accompanied by the restoration of the entire Old Main lobby to reflect accurately its appearance in 1948 when the 1,300-square-foot frescoes were completed by Henry Varnum Poor. The works are the only frescoes at an American university created by an American artist, and the risk that this landmark might be damaged irreparably prompted a highly sophisticated initiative to preserve the frescoes for posterity.
Penn State approves architect for Old Main repairs
9/9/11
Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the continued engagement of Ann Beha Architects of Boston to oversee critical repairs of Old Main. The firm will be involved with the conservation of the Land-Grant Frescoes, plumbing upgrades and replacement of the perimeter heat system.
Steps to conserve Penn State's historic Land-Grant Frescoes identified
6/29/11
Conservation scientists have completed an extensive series of studies meant to assess the condition of, and to identify steps to conserve, the Land-Grant Frescoes that grace three walls and 1,300 square feet in the lobby of Penn State's Old Main. The frescoes, widely regarded as historic and artistic treasures, were painted by world-renowned artist Henry Varnum Poor in the 1940s and now are showing signs of deterioration. The works are the only frescoes at an American university created by an American artist.
Old Main Frescos
10/20/10
Artist: Henry Varnum Poor
Alumna, subject in Henry Varnum Poor frescoes, visits Old Main
5/5/10
Lila (Whoolery) Mercatoris, a December 1942 Penn State graduate, the University's first female gymnast -- an unofficial member of the men's gymnastics team before there was a women's team -- and "the girl in the blue leotard" in Henry Varnum Poor's Land-Grant Frescoes in Old Main, visited University Park Wednesday (May 5) to revisit her plaster-painted likeness.
Study aimed at preserving Land-Grant Frescoes
1/21/08
Penn State has commissioned a study aimed at preserving one of its most beloved artistic treasures, the Land-Grant Frescoes in Old Main. The frescoes, begun in 1940 and completed in 1949 by nationally known muralist Henry Varnum Poor, depict the history of the University as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution from its founding in 1855 through the mid-20th century. The study, by Harrisburg-based Albert Michaels Conservation Inc., is expected to yield information about the frescoes' current condition and recommend steps that may be appropriate to conserve and restore the work.
Old Main - Present day matches to archive photos
12/19/12
File showing images from Old Main through 1930's to 1940's with matching images from approximately same locations in 2012.
Final plans approved for Old Main renovations
11/16/12
Penn State's Board of Trustees Friday (Nov. 16) approved the final plans for renovations to Old Main's infrastructure and architecture. The plans, designed by Ann Beha Architects of Boston, include a strategy for a phased renovation of the lobby, conservation of the Land Grant Frescoes, plumbing upgrades and replacement of the perimeter heat system. The main lobby will be temperature and humidity controlled to preserve the frescoes.
Work ongoing to conserve fragile history in Old Main
11/15/12
A multi-year project has begun to repair a half-century of environmental damage and conserve the Land-Grant Frescoes that are a treasured piece of American art history in the lobby of Old Main. The frescoes are full of surprises, and many are coming to light as conservators pore over University archives, repair a half-century of environmental damage and return these works of art to their original condition. Thanks to a generous philanthropic gift from L. James Smauch '36 Sci, a multi-year project has begun to restore the Old Main lobby, conserve the frescoes and preserve this treasured piece of American art history. John Rita and Ted Holland from Harrisburg-based Albert Michaels Conservation have set up a mobile laboratory in Old Main and are working their way around the lobby, inspecting, cleaning, stabilizing and inpainting (the reinstatement of lost pigment) the frescoes.
Conservators begin work on Penn State's Land-Grant Frescoes
3/12/12
Preliminary work began March 12 on the restoration of the lobby of Old Main and the conservation and ultimate preservation of the historic Land-Grant Frescoes on Penn State's University Park campus. The frescoes project, funded by a $1.5 million gift from an anonymous donor, will be accompanied by the restoration of the entire Old Main lobby to reflect accurately its appearance in 1948 when the 1,300-square-foot frescoes were completed by Henry Varnum Poor. The works are the only frescoes at an American university created by an American artist, and the risk that this landmark might be damaged irreparably prompted a highly sophisticated initiative to preserve the frescoes for posterity.
Penn State approves architect for Old Main repairs
9/9/11
Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the continued engagement of Ann Beha Architects of Boston to oversee critical repairs of Old Main. The firm will be involved with the conservation of the Land-Grant Frescoes, plumbing upgrades and replacement of the perimeter heat system.
Steps to conserve Penn State's historic Land-Grant Frescoes identified
6/29/11
Conservation scientists have completed an extensive series of studies meant to assess the condition of, and to identify steps to conserve, the Land-Grant Frescoes that grace three walls and 1,300 square feet in the lobby of Penn State's Old Main. The frescoes, widely regarded as historic and artistic treasures, were painted by world-renowned artist Henry Varnum Poor in the 1940s and now are showing signs of deterioration. The works are the only frescoes at an American university created by an American artist.
Old Main Frescos
10/20/10
Artist: Henry Varnum Poor
Alumna, subject in Henry Varnum Poor frescoes, visits Old Main
5/5/10
Lila (Whoolery) Mercatoris, a December 1942 Penn State graduate, the University's first female gymnast -- an unofficial member of the men's gymnastics team before there was a women's team -- and "the girl in the blue leotard" in Henry Varnum Poor's Land-Grant Frescoes in Old Main, visited University Park Wednesday (May 5) to revisit her plaster-painted likeness.
Study aimed at preserving Land-Grant Frescoes
1/21/08
Penn State has commissioned a study aimed at preserving one of its most beloved artistic treasures, the Land-Grant Frescoes in Old Main. The frescoes, begun in 1940 and completed in 1949 by nationally known muralist Henry Varnum Poor, depict the history of the University as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution from its founding in 1855 through the mid-20th century. The study, by Harrisburg-based Albert Michaels Conservation Inc., is expected to yield information about the frescoes' current condition and recommend steps that may be appropriate to conserve and restore the work.