| The Officers Club |
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| at Fort Niagara State Park |
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Conservation Report Executive Summary
Officers Club Mural at Fort Niagara State Park
On April 29, 1998 the four murals in the Officers Club at Fort Niagara State Park were examined by State Parks paintings conservator Joyce Zucker and photo-documented by frame conservator Eric Price Painted between 1939 and 1945 by Hubert H Crawford, Eugene M. Dyczkowski, Tom Loftin Johnson and Ernst Wille, the murals were designed and executed for specific spaces within the budding, a simple red brick Georgian style institutional building constructed in 1937 The Officers Club was designed to house bachelor officers In a dormitory format as well as provide club facilities for all officers on the post
General ObservationsUpon examination the four murals were found to be generally in good condition All of the murals were found to be grimy, as any surface would be after 50-60 years The two murals in the ballroom have suffered from some water damage from past roof and flashing problems Three of the murals ("The Battle of Cantigny", "Defending Forts" and "The U S at War") are painted in a relatively traditional manner -- canvas, primed with white lead, painted with oil base paint and mounted on the walls with what appears to be white lead adhesive The fourth mural, "American History", has a totally different construction - executed on fine cotton sheeting using water soluble adhesive and paints.
"Battle of Cantigny" by Hubert H Crawford (ca 1939)
This heroic 25 1/2 foot mural depicts soldiers of the 28th Regiment in battle during the first American victory in World War I. It is located in the western gable of the ballroom. Recent research by David Dickinson has confirmed that the painting is by African American Hubert H Crawford. The mural is securely attached to the wall but requires cleaning to remove oil and plaster drips, bird droppings and surface grime. As the surface is cleaned, minor detachments can be re-secured. The varnish surface coating has not discolored appreciably and should be retained. Bloomed areas should be reformed. A final protective surface coating should be applied. Preliminary estimate for conservation treatment and documentation: two people for two weeks, $ 10,700.
"Defending Forts" by Eugene M. Dyczkowski (ca 1939)
This 90' foot long mural is comprised of seven discrete panels and covers the upper walls of the officers mess in the basement of the Club. Painted under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration, the mural depicts soldiers defending forts throughout history. The panels are in very good condition, but are covered with grime, dirt and accretions. The surfaces need to be cleaned and any detachments re-secured. Abrasions in the paint film should be consolidated and inpainted. Areas of paint loss should also be inpainted. A final protective coating should be applied. Preliminary estimate for conservation treatment and documentation: two people for two weeks, $1O,500.
"The U S at War" by Tam Loftin Johnson (ca 1938-40)
Depicting the duty stations of the 28th regiment in World War I, this 70 foot mural is located in The Missile Room in the basement of the Club. The paint film on the panels is in very good condition, with few signs of cracking The bond between the fabric and wall is excellent. Surface grime needs to be removed and minor abrasions inpainted. Three of the panels have pin or tack holes, which may reflect how the room was used A final protective coating should be applied. Preliminary estimate for conservation treatment and documentation: two people for two weeks, ±S10,500
"American History" by Ernst Wille (ca 1945-46)
Located in the eastern gable of the ballroom, this mural was executed by German Prisoner-of-War Ernst Wille at the explicit request of Fort Niagara's Commandant. The painting was executed in a gouache medium and applied to a water soluble ground. Cracking is seen throughout the surface but there is no evidence of separation of paint film. The paint film is basically in good condition The mural requires cleaning to remove a build-up of grime and dirt. Because of the water soluble nature of the paint film, the surface should be cleaned with grated, vinyl eraser shavings. By using the shavings in a circular motion the grime can be lifted from the surface without disturbing the paint film As the surface is examined more closely any detachments can be identified and readhered with an appropriate adhesive. Treating the water stains and determining what type of protective coating can be applied will require further research and, possibly, consultation with the artist.
(Ed. Ernst Wille visited Fort Niagara on May 21, 1998 and discussed his mural with J. Winthrop Aldrich, State Parks Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation. Mr Wille indicated that a small portion of his painting was completed by another individual. Mr Wille is very interested In the mural’s longterm preservation.)
| OFFICERS CLUB SITE MAP |
| FORT NIAGARA STATE PARK | OLD FORT NIAGARA |
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