Frick Collection Ceiling Assessments

The Frick Collection is housed in the former residence of Henry Clay Frick, a Pittsburgh industrialist who built his home in New York to house his significant collection of fine and decorative art and to become a public art museum after his death. The residence was designed by Thomas Hastings of the renowned Beaux-Arts architectural firm Carrère and Hastings and completed between 1914 and 1916. 

As part of the Frick Renovation and Enhancement between 2020 and 2025, EverGreene conservators conducted condition assessments of ceiling surfaces in several spaces of the museum. Scope of assessments included the Entrance Hall; West Gallery, originally known as the picture gallery; and the Enamels Room, which was originally Frick’s personal study. 

Assessment of the West Gallery and Enamels Room evaluated the condition of historic ornamental ceiling elements prior to major structural upgrade of the ridgebeam and skylight replacement over the West Gallery so that temporary protections and monitoring measures could be implemented during that phase of work. As part of this assessment and consulting, EverGreene surveyed the plaster ceiling surfaces and plaster lay light trim from both the presenting face and attic, and documented deterioration conditions such as cracks, blind voids, delamination, and efflorescence on architectural drawings. Findings were then used to generate plans for protection and monitoring during construction, treatment and conservation of plaster and painted surfaces, and cost estimates. 

At the Entrance Hall, conservators examined the wood veneer panels and composition ornamental trim after fluctuations in temperature and humidity of this space had led to instability and detachment of ornament.  EverGreene Conservators documented instability and loss on architectural drawings, and installed facing paper to provide additional protection of loose elements. Later in the project, EverGreene completed repairs of ornaments.