Architectural Stonework Conservation
EverGreene was contracted by the Princeton University Art Museum (PUAM) to conduct condition assessments prior to deinstalling seven artifacts in advance of the museum’s reconstruction and expansion. The artifacts varied significantly in scale and complexity and included two Venetian wellheads, several 14th–16th century French windows and doorways, and the intricate ensemble known as the accessioned Spanish Stairway.
During the treatment and reinstallation phases of the project, work focused on two significant pieces from the collection: the Mallorca Stairway and Gallery (15th–16th century, Spain) and the Vaucluse Window (15th century, France). Selected for display in the new museum based on their historical significance, these works required careful coordination across disciplines. Over the course of five years, EverGreene’s conservation team worked closely with PUAM’s conservators, curators, and design team to plan, treat, and design the installation of these large-scale architectural elements.
Both objects were part of a larger collection gifted to the museum by Baroness Cassel van Dorne in 1955 up to which point they had been installed in her personal residence in New Jersey. Originally part of a larger purchase by W. Randolph Hearst in 1929, the artifacts had left Spain in the 1920s following their assembly as a grouped unit. Ongoing research by the museum has since revealed that the stairway and gallery ensemble originated from two separate houses in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Extensive repairs were required for the Stairway and Gallery to ensure their stability and suitability for long-term display. New findings related to the ensemble’s history and prior interventions helped guide treatment decisions. The various repairs were also directly influenced by the final orientation of the displays.
Treatment and installation were carried out in close collaboration with PUAM’s team. To facilitate this process, the architectural elements were fully reconstructed in EverGreene’s Maryland studio, allowing the team to reconfigure individual components, design and integrate custom structural supports, and complete necessary repairs concurrently. EverGreene worked closely with masonry partner Standard Restoration and Waterproofing to safely handle and install the fragile masonry elements, and separately collaborated with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger to develop the custom-engineered mounting systems for both pieces.
