Dome Restoration Reveals Music Hall’s Original Paintings

The Music Hall, Portsmouth, N.H.—a 900-seat theater built in 1878 and designated by the U.S. Senate as an “American Treasure" in the national Save America's Treasures Program through the National Park Service—is embarking on a major restoration and improvement project. It is the oldest music hall in the state, the second oldest in New England, and the fourteenth oldest in the country. During restoration of its stained and water-damaged dome, large sections stripped away have revealed the original Neo-Classic decorations, scrolls, and patterned designs. Evergreene Painting Studio, with colleague Kumiko Hisano, is executing the discovery work on the dome. Over the next several months, the public will be able to view the work in progress. Then, the theater will close in August for final restoration work before the restored dome and historic finishes on the balcony rail and walls are unveiled in September 2007. (Photo © Mike Marchand.)