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Photo © Aaslestaad
Historic photo of the Warne Ballroom.
plaster, paintings, lighting, and mechanical systems; ultimately,
they recommended that the room be restored to its period of
historic significance in 1901-15.
The master plan “evolved into a pilot project where we tested
a small section [of the room] to see how long it would take to the
do the restoration to the level we wanted,” said Amanda Edwards,
PA-AIC, senior architectural conservator. Working closely with the
foundation, JMA employed testing and mockups throughout the
project to ensure the final product would meet expectations. Views of the restored ceiling of the Warne Ballroom. Photos © Benson Photography
Solvents were used to reveal original gilded finishes on the
walls and ceilings; where the gilding was unrecoverable, surfaces Layers of accumulated dirt, varnish, and overpaint were removed
were re-gilded using traditional techniques. Original sconces were by conservators, who then in-painted, using reversible materials,
rewired and reset with new crystal elements; a chandelier found in to inject color and life back into the paintings.
storage in Pennsylvania was reinstalled. The white oak parquet The painstaking restoration was recently completed with the
flooring was stripped, repaired using hand tools, and refinished to installation of replica rose-colored draperies. “The Cosmos Club
the glossy sheen seen in historic photographs. takes [its] stewardship of this historic building to the highest
The ballroom’s many paintings, including overdoor pieces, level,” said Edwards, as proven by this decade-long project to
lunettes, and a large ceiling centerpiece, required particular care. restore the ballroom to its original splendor.

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