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WALT WHITMAN HOUSE

Camden, NJ

WALLPAPER DESIGN

A three-year process, work included the installation of a museum-quality environmental control system and the conservation of historic features. Work also involved the design and replication of historic wallpapers, custom woven ingrain carpets, and the replication and restoration of gasoliers, all based on historic photographs and written sources. 

 The wallpapers, all named after Whitman poems, have been included in Brunschwig & Fils permanent collection. In addition, the house was stabilized structurally to endure future visitor traffic, and the exterior was restored with the correct shiplap and shuttering. Meticulous attention to detail - both architectural and conservation artifact curation  -has resulted in a rich historic site that illustrates Whitman's life and times in Camden, NJ. 

Project

Walt Whitman House

Location

326 Mickle Street, Camden, NJ

Client

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), State of New Jersey

Date of Completion

Restoration of Walt Whitman's House: 1999

Master Plan for a New Visitor's Center: 2007

Modest in scale, this house is listed as a Local, State and National Historic Landmark. This was the only house Whitman purchased, it contains some of his personal possessions, furniture and family portraits. PACA  was first retained to prepare an Historic Structures Report (HSR) and Interior Furnishings Plan and to restore the house to the period when Walt Whitman resided there (1884-1892). 

Upon completion of the HSR, PACA's second commission was the implementation of the recommendations to restore and repair the historic house. The scope of work included the replication of wall coverings, lighting, carpets and paneling. The adjacent row house became a third commission to rehabilitate the resident curator's apartment and Walt Whitman Association Library and offices.

REHABILITATION & RECONSTRUCTION, CONSERVATION & REPLICATION

RESTORED BEDROOM, "DRUM TAPS' WALLPAPER

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