Preservation Society of Newport County

The Preservation Society of Newport County will use funds to conserve two early eighteenth century Chinese lacquer panels installed in the breakfast room of The Elms. Constructed in 1901, the building is a stone replica of the 1750 Château d’Asnières, located outside of Paris, and was designed as a summer retreat for Edward Berwind, a coal and shipping entrepreneur. Treatment of the panels will include cleaning, reattaching lacquer to the substrate, restoring losses, and varnishing for protection. As part of the educational experience at the museum, visitors will be able to watch the ongoing treatment process as conservators work in an onsite lab.