Weeksville Heritage Center’s Post

Come behind the scenes of our restoration project at the 1698 Bergen House. In the wake of extreme temperature fluctuations in January and a resultant burst pipe, our team went on a mission to revive the dining room's chairs that were damaged. Our collections manager worked hard to ensure every detail honored the legacy of the Williams family who once lived there. Upholstery decisions weren't made lightly – the process included combing through historical archives, period photography, and consulting with textile experts. After extensive research, we settled on a durable indoor/outdoor performance velvet from Valdese Weavers in North Carolina, selected for its water, stain, and fade resistance. We sourced a set of antique 1920s dining chairs from a coastal Connecticut antique seller that were made by Michigan Chair Company, a midrange manufacturer in operation from 1890 to 1938. We then partnered with Raynold's Upholstery, a father-son duo from East Flatbush to reupholster the chairs and touch up the wood. Every choice was made with the utmost care with the goal of preserving not just artifacts but the stories they hold. We invite you to experience these journeys through time through a tour of our historic houses.

Page S.

Professor/Digital Archival Curator/Artist

2mo

Awesomeness!

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