Aging Chandelier Removed from Minute Man National Historical Park for Restoration

The restoration team from Grand Light traveled to Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts last Wednesday to remove a crystal chandelier in need of restoration, rewiring, and repair. The chandelier has been on display in the Stedman Buttrick House, which serves as the park’s headquarters and visitors’ center for the historic North Bridge.

The 971-acre park receives over one million visitors each year, who come to see important sites associated with the opening battle of the American Revolution. Congress established the park in 1959 to preserve and protect areas such as the first four miles of the Battle Road, where Colonists fired upon British troops as they returned from Boston, and the place where the “shot heard ’round the world” was fired. The park also preserves The Wayside, where 19th century authors kept the spirit of the Revolution alive by creating uniquely American literature.

The Stedman Buttrick House was constructed in 1911, but the date of the chandelier is unknown. Over time, the crystal chandelier has lost its luster due to grime, dirt, and metal oxidation.  The wiring has become brittle and unsafe. It originally had twelve arms, although only nine are currently attached to the chandelier. The park has the two missing arms, and each is broken.  Some spears and crystal chains are also missing from the fixture.

Grand Light’s three-man team came fully prepared to disassemble and remove the historic crystal chandelier on site, without causing any disruption to the daily activities of the visitor center.  A twenty-foot lift was used to reach the chandelier, which was photographed, inspected, and documented throughout disassembly.

Grand Light’s team carefully disassembled on site for restoration.

Grand Light’s three man team came fully prepared to disassemble and remove the historic crystal chandelier on site, without causing any disruption to the daily activities of the Visitors’ Center.  A twenty-foot lift was used to reach the chandelier, which was photographed, inspected, and documented throughout disassembly.

Upon arrival at Grand Light’s workshop, the chandelier’s delicate arms, center column and all remaining components were photographed and cataloged. The chandelier was completely disassembled and all components were inspected for mechanical deficiencies. Individual crystals from the chandelier have begun to be cleaned, inspected, hand-polished, and re-pinned.

Three glass globes with intricate patterns were missing from the crystal chandelier and will need to be replicated.  In addition, missing and broken glass arms will be replicated as well as eight large crystal chains with baguette, octagon, and heavy plain spearhead crystal pendalogues.

The chandelier was completely disassembled and is currently being restored piece-by-piece.

Those interested in following the progress of this project can visit Grand Light’s website at https://www.grandlight.com.

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About Grand Light:

Grand Light has restored, replicated and manufactured custom lighting fixtures at every scale, including various projects at Yale University, the Lincoln Square Theater in Decatur, IL, The Otesaga Resort and Hotel in Cooperstown, NY, The Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT, and other prestigious projects nation wide.

Located at 580 Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT, Grand Light has been serving the interior and exterior lighting needs of homeowners and professionals since 1929.

Contact:

Ryan Stockman
info@grandlight.com
https://www.grandlight.com
PH: 1-800-922-1469
580 Grand Ave.
New Haven, CT 06511

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