Crater Lake National Park NPS Imperial Montery CCC Furniture

Crater Lake National Park

CCC Bench

This bench, one of four, had been in storage for several years.
All four benches were made at the time of the original construction of these buildings, by a member or members of the Civilian Conservation Corps crews. It had a secondary vinyl upholstery, and severe damage to the corner posts. Some material is missing from one of the posts tops, and one outer edge had a sheered piece approximately 5-inches long. NPS CCC BENCH RESUME (Coming Soon)

Before, above, and after treatment, below.

Before, left, and after treatment, right, in the images, below.

Crater Lake Centennial Quilt

The Crater Lake Centennial Quilt was made for the anniversary of the park by park employees and friends. After touring, the quilt had several stains and a few small tears. It needed to be cleaned and repaired.

CCC Primitive Painted Wood Box

Possibly made by the by one of the Crater Lake's National Park's Superintendents , this wood box has been part of the collection in the first Superintendent's House
at Crater Lake National Park as far back as anyone can remember. Layers and layers of shellac and paint over many years had created a wonderful patina:
We repaired cracks, then cleaned and protected the finish.

Science & Learning Center Imperial "Monterey" Collection

MPFC was privileged to conserve and restore an entire collection of three dozen pieces of original Imperial Furniture which was bought for the original Superintendent's House of Crater Lake National Park, shown right in its original state.

The Imperial furniture line was made in Los Angeles, California; the superintendent bought his from Montgomery Ward in Portland, Oregon. The line was typically made of Oregon alder and characterized by heavy iron strapping, with a finish of ash-grain filler and dark stain.

The furniture had been in storage for many years, and was again be put to use in the Superintendent's home, but this time for visiting scientists who came to use the home in its new life as the Crater Lake Science and Learning Center.

The frames were repaired utilizing appropriate conservation and age-related techniques; in most cases the stuffings were beyond cleaning and reutilization, and so new cushions were made.

New leather upholstery was placed on the pieces in order to be more durable, and still in keeping with the tradition. Prior to our involvement the original rope was discarded; unfortunately, MPFC did not know this until close to delivery. We made do with cotton rope, and hope to be able to change the rope on the project in the future.

Unlike museum pieces, these pieces are to be used in a low-traffic setting in the Center. Because of these parameters, this is not a strict conservation project. The new upholstery and new strappings, and the creation of new cushions, were all restorative. MPFC had to create a modification on the sofa due to a previous break, in order to render it viable for further use. Also, we chose to use leather which was not original to these pieces, but was used in Monterey Furniture, and, for the NPS's use, a very durable material was needed for daily use.

Visit our pages on the treatment of the Imperial line, or before and after images and information on our participation in the Period-Appropriate Design of the interior of the Science and Learning Center, click here.

For more information about Crater Lake National Park visit the NPS site.

For more information on Monterey Furniture visit our page on Mason Monterey furniture from the Oregon Caves NM. Or go back to our Institutional page.

CONTACT

We offer a free one hour assessment in your home or office
toward the restoration of your antique, contact us for an appointment.

Contact Information

dkatiepowell [@] aol.com / mitchellrpowell {@} aol.com
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503.970.2509 / 541.531.2383

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