Wadsworth Atheneum

Founded in 1842 by Daniel Wadsworth, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is one of the oldest public art museum in the United States. Construction began in 1842 on the site of the family home of Daniel Wadsworth in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. The museum houses nearly 50,000 works of art from the spanning from around the world from the last 5,000 years. The Wadsworth Antheneum incorporates five different buildings with varying architectural styles, and all the buildings have recently undergone a renovation.

Grand Light was selected fabricate replications of a historic wall sconce based on a 1910 photograph for the Wadsworth Atheneum. The original 1910 photograph was used to scrupulously design the details and dimensions to match the original fixture.

In addition to fabricating replications of a historic wall sconce, Grand Light restored seven original luminaires from the Wadsworth Atheneum. The restoration of these historic fixtures included cleaning all dust and surface corrosion, lightly burnish and blend to existing patina, and the application of museum grade wax.

Project Accolades

“A high profile statement about the value of historic preservation for a prominent institution to meet the never-ending needs for more space, better environmental controls, and more storage.”

“The importance of this renovation is both local and national. It represents a reassertion of the power of preservation as a force for urban revitalization. For Hartford and Connecticut the Wadsworth Atheneum “is back”.”