Current Portsmouth Historical Association board member John Joyce has many talents. One of those talents is frame conservation. Recently, he conserved the frame on the second floor foyer, which houses the "Boy and his Dog" painting. Now the frame matches the newly conserved painting. On your next visit, check out the frame and painting and see how both compliment each other.
Artwork returns to the Hill House..
On July 31, 2015 three Hill House Museum paintings were picked up at the Richmond Conservation Studio and returned to again hang on the walls of the museum. If you are interested in learning more about the paintings, the process involved with the conservation, and what they look like, please stop by the museum or schedule a visit. The transformation of each painting is amazing and worth a visit. Attached is a painting before conservation...stop by to see it fully conserved.
The museum is open every Saturday 11:00-3:00 or call/email to schedule a private tour.
Hill House Museum Mirror Restoration
Restored mirror above the fireplace....
John Joyce, current board member, has taken on the task of restoring each of the mirrors within the museum. Each mirror is taken down, restored, reinforced, and placed back on the wall. The mirror in the basement level sitting room adjacent to the dining room has been fully restored, and highlights details never evident before restoration. Please stop by to take a look at the mirror and appreciate John's hard work.
Mother's Day Tea
On Mother's Day the Hill House Museum hosted a Tea in honor of all the mothers. It was a sold out event with the next public tea happening in December. Please check out the website for more details.
April wedding the Museum Garden
The bride had always dreamed of getting married in the garden of the Hill House Museum and it came true in April. A private reception was held in the second floor parlor following the ceremony. If interested in hosting a wedding please contact us.
EAnn Stokes Art Exhibit
The first two weekends in February, the Hill House Museum hosted an art exhibit for a local artist, EAnn Stokes. Her works of art (paintings, jewelry, postcards, journals, etc...) were displayed for her friends and the general public to appreciate. She is in her 90's and still continues to contribute to the art world and her local community. She truly is a work of art herself!
Journal and Poetry book returns to the Museum
On January 24, 2015, Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding in Winchester, VA delivered the restored journal and poetry book back to the Hill House Museum.
The circa 1879 journal was found in the attic when the electric was being updated throughout museum. It was in poor condition, and Barbara and Saunders Early donated the funds to have this important piece of Hill House history restored and brought back to life.
The circa 1830 poetry book was written by John Thompson Hill Jr. and the Portsmouth Historical Association provided the funds to have it restored and appreciated by all again.
Please stop by when the museum opens in the Spring 2015 for the season!
Hill House Art Conservation
On January 19, 2015, board members of Portsmouth Historical Association transported six Hill House Museum paintings in need of conservation to Richmond. This visit was sparked by a generous donation to spearhead the conservation of many of the paintings currently adorning the walls of the museum. Prices and a current plan to conserve the paintings will be drawn up by Cleo Mullins of the Richmond Conservation Studio and discussed in the next few weeks.
If interested in learning more about this project or making a donation to the conservation funding please email us.
Please watch the website as this project unfolds.
