Third Floor ceiling paint restoration sample area

Photo of the restoration of the Minnesota State CapitolOver the years, water leaks have caused deterioration of the plaster on the third floor of the Minnesota State Capitol. This damaged plaster has been removed and repaired. The original decorative designs and colors have been investigated and documented.

The paint restoration sample area is at the top of the spiral staircase at the entrance to the House gallery. The links below show video of day-by-day work restoring the original 1905 designs and colors to a small area. This sample area shows the contrast between the restored and deteriorated conditions.

The 2005 Legislature appropriated $1.17 million for the restoration of the paint on the third floor ceiling. Please support the restoration of your century old capitol by contacting your legislators.

The steps in the process are:

  1. Remove loose or damaged plaster. Repair plaster.
  2. Create an exposure of the original painted design by removing layers of overpainting to determine original paint design and color.
  3. Layout overall design over area to be painted.
  4. Cut in field and margin colors of pendentives and lunettes.
  5. Trace original designs onto mylar.
  6. Prime the area to be painted to assure good bond. (Reversible barrier coating preserves original in place.)
  7. Apply base stencil colors.
  8. Mylar tracings are then transferred onto stencil paper. Stencils are cut.
  9. Hand mix paint colors to match original documented colors and match to Munsell Color System.
  10. Apply base color layer of paint to provide overall background color.
  11. Cut stencils are positioned and pint is applied through stencil.
  12. Perform hand brush work to complete highlights and effects of original paint scheme.

Watch the progress of the restoration day-by-day.
The following files are Streaming Video. If you are not using a broadband connection, your download speed will be very slow.

Funding: Minnesota Department of Administration
Project supervisors: State Architect's Office, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board
Architectural consultant: Miller Dunwiddie
Contractor: Conrad Schmitt Studios