Home > How to Preserve > Preservation Briefs > 23 Ornamental Plaster Preservation Briefs
 See   Preservation Briefs 1–47 1 Cleaning and   Water-Repellent Treatments 2 Repointing Mortar   Joints 3 Improving   Energy Efficiency 4 Roofing 5 Adobe Buildings   6   Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning 7 Terra-Cotta 8 Aluminum and Vinyl   Siding 9   Wooden Windows 10 Paint Problems   11   Storefronts 12 Structural   Glass 13   Steel Windows 14 Exterior   Additions 15   Concrete 16 Substitute   Materials 17 Architectural   Character 18   Rehabilitating Interiors 19 Wooden Shingle   Roofs 20   Barns 21   Flat Plaster 22   Stucco 23 Ornamental   Plaster 24 Heating, Ventilating,   and Cooling 25   Signage 26   Log Buildings 27 Cast Iron 28 Painting   Interiors 29   Slate Roofs 30 Clay Tile   Roofs 31   Mothballing 32 Accessibility   33 Stained   and Leaded Glass 34 Composition   Ornament 35   Architectural Investigation 36 Cultural   Landscapes 37 Lead-Paint   Hazards 38 Removing   Graffiti 39 Controlling   Unwanted Moisture 40 Ceramic   Tile 41   Seismic Retrofit 42 Cast Stone 43 Historic   Structure Reports 44 Awnings 45 Wooden Porches   46 Gas   Stations 47 Maintaining the   Exterior 

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PRESERVATION BRIEFS23
Running and enriching a ceiling medallion. Photo: Peter Sanders. 
Preserving Historic Ornamental Plaster
David Flaharty
- The   Ornamental Plaster Trade
- Causes   of Ornamental Plaster Damage
- Immediate   Action
- A   20th Century Shop Tour
- Repairing   Historic Ornamental Plaster
- Finding   and Evaluating a Contractor
- Summary   and References
- Reading   List
- Download   the PDF

From the time America struggled for a new identity as a constitutional republic—and well into the 20th century—its architecture and its decorative detailing remained firmly rooted in the European classicism of Palladio, Wren, and Mansart. Together with skilled masons and carpenters, ornamental plasterers saw their inherited trade flourish from the mid-18th century until the Depression years of the 1930s. During this two hundred year period, as the Georgian and Federal styles yielded to the revivals—Greek, Rococo, Gothic, Renaissance, and Spanish—decorative plaster reflected each style, resulting in the wide variety of ornamentation that survives. The traditional methods of producing and installing interior decorative plaster were brought from Europe to this country intact and its practice remains virtually unchanged to this day.

Like flat walls and ceilings, historic ornamental plaster is made of gypsum and lime which are stable and durable materials. An extremely versatile material, plaster can be modeled, cast, incised, colored, stamped, or stencilled. However, as an integral part of the building system it is subject to the typical problems of water intrusion, structural movement, vibration and insensitive alterations, both incrementally and from adaptive use projects.

Ornamental plaster studios employed a variety of personnel, including sculptors who modelled in clay; casters who made production units; and finishers who cleaned the casts. Photo: Courtesy, M. Earle Felber. 

This Preservation Brief has been prepared to assist property owners, architects, contractors, and Federal agency managers in identifying the causes of ornamental plaster failure, specifying repair and replacement techniques and engaging qualified professionals to do the work. The scope of this Brief is limited to the repair and restoration of existing ornamental plaster; certain forms of decorative plaster such as scagliola, composition ornament, and artificial Caen Stone are not addressed, nor is the design and installation of ornamental plasterwork in new construction. Finally, guidance on using substitute materials to match the historic appearance of ornamental plasterwork—a legitimate option within the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties—is not discussed here, but will be the subject of another Brief on interiors.
The Ornamental Plaster Trade return to top ▲Shop Personnel
As builders and architects were hired by an increasingly affluent clientele, ornamental plaster shops developed from the single artisan operations of the 18th century into the complex establishments of the early 20th century. American plaster studios employed immigrant and, later, native craftsmen. Plasterers' guilds were in existence in Philadelphia in the 1790s. In 1864, a plasterers' union was organized in the United States with members from the British Isles whose work there had been limited to palaces and churches. English and European craftsmen came to America where the demand for their skills had increased by the decade, offering them the unparalleled opportunity to open their own shops. Over the years, plaster elements became so popular in decorating interior spaces that a major industry was established. By the 1880s, catalogs were available from which property owners could select ornamentation for their splendid new buildings.
Methods of Production
Historically, ornamental plasterwork has been produced in two ways: it would be run in place (or on a bench) at the site; or cast in molds in a workshop. Plain plaster molding without surface ornamentation was usually created directly on the wall, or run on a flat surface such as a plasterer's workbench and attached to the wall after it set. Ornament such as coffering for ceilings, centers for light fixtures (medallions), brackets, dentils, or columns were cast in hide glue (gelatin) or plaster molds in an offsite shop, often in more than one piece, then assembled and installed in the building. 

Mitering a plain-run cornice requires great dexterity using the miter rod. Photo: Old-House Journal.
Decorative Plaster Forms—Cornices, Medallions, Coffers
Three decorative plaster forms in particular—the cornice, the ceiling medallion, and the coffered ceiling—historically comprised much of the ornamental plasterers' business. These forms appear individually or in combination from the 18th to 20th century, irrespective of stylistic changes.

For example, an elaborate parlor cornice consisted of plain moldings made of gypsum and lime run atop temporary lattice strips around the room. Tooling for plain-run moldings called for a sheet metal template of the molding profile mounted on a wooden "horse". Mitering was accomplished using a plaster and lime putty gauge (mix) tooled with miter rods at the joints. Decorative "enrichments" such as leaves, egg and dart moldings, and bead and reel units were cast in the shop and applied to the plain runs using plaster as an adhesive. Painting, glazing, and even gilding followed. Large houses often had plain run cornices on the upper floors which were not used for entertaining; modest houses also boasted cornice work without cast enrichment. 

This parlor medallion and pendant drops shown in a mid-19th century house in Annapolis, Maryland, were originally ordered from a catalog. Photo: M.E. Warren.

Among the most dramatic of ornamental plaster forms is the parlor ceiling medallion. Vernacular houses often used plain-run concentric circles from which lighting fixtures descended, usually hung from a wrought iron hook embedded in the central ceiling joist. More elaborate medallions were composed of shop-cast pieces, such as acanthus foliage often alternating with anthemia or other decorative designs. Medallions usually related stylistically to the cornice ornament found in the room and could be created with or without a plain-run surround. Of particular importance to the art of ornamental plaster was the mid-19th century double parlor plan. Architects often specified matching medallions of robust proportions and ornamentation. Later, in 20th century American Colonial Revival architecture, architects called for Federal style ceiling medallions. Some of the more successful were graceful one-piece units, utilizing classical motifs such as garlands and swags, and in their simplicity, reminiscent of Adamesque designs of the 1760s.

Yet another significant decorative form is the coffered ceiling. Coffering units were cast in the shop or onsite, then installed with hanging wires to form the ceiling. Ceiling design varied from period to period as to depth, panel shape, and ornamental complexity. Not always flat, coffering is seen inside domes, within barrel vaults and groin ceilings, along overhead ribs and soffits. Rosettes are usually centered in the panels and often enrich the intersections of elaborate stiles bordering the panels. Flat ceiling coffers are generally identical in reflected plan; on domed or barrel ceilings, coffers differ from course to course so as to appear identical from various sight lines. The finish treatment of a coffered ceiling frequently exhibits the height of the painter's craft. 

The elaborate coffered ceiling was designed for the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. (1902-04) by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. It was restored as part of a rehabilitation project in the 1980s. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith.

Foremost examples of ceiling coffering include the United States Capitol, and Washington DC's Union Station. As a popular decorative form with inherent acoustical benefits, the coffered ceiling is seen across the United States in many large public spaces such as theaters, courthouses, railroad stations, and hotels.

Unfortunately, these supposedly enduring decorative forms created by ornamental plaster tradesmen are subjected to the ravages of both nature and man and, consequently, seldom remain as originally designed. Minor changes of taste are perhaps the least injurious to plasterwork. Considerably greater damage and deterioration are caused by radical changes in building use and poor maintenance practices. Fortunately, in most cases, the form, detailing, and finish of historic ornamental plaster can be recaptured through careful repair and restoration.
Causes of Ornamental Plaster Damage return to top ▲Ornamental Plaster Substrate
For flat plaster walls and ceilings, as well as decorative forms, the system to attach interior plaster to walls and ceilings primarily consisted of 1/4" x 1-1/4" wooden lathing strips nailed 3/8" apart against studs and joists. First a scratch coat consisting of sand, lime, and cattle hair was troweled on the lath and pressed through the slots so as to slump over and form "keys." Next, a brown coat was applied to establish flat and plumb surfaces. The earliest plasterwork consisted of two coats of lime and sand plaster; later in the 19th century, a third or finish coat was applied that consisted of both lime and gypsum. Decorative units were generally attached to the substrate using plaster as an adhesive.
Signs of Failure
Failure of the substrate is more typical than failure of the plaster ornament itself. Among the reasons for deterioration, structural movement and water intrusion are the most deleterious. Buildings move and settle, causing deflection and delamination which result in stress cracking. These cracks often begin at the corners of windows and doors and extend upward at acute angles. Roof or plumbing leaks make finishes discolor and peel and cause efflorescence, especially on plain-run or enriched cornices. Unheated buildings with water intrusion are subject to freeze-thaw cycles which ultimately result in base coat and ornamental plaster failure.

Structural settling has caused this ceiling to deflect. A structural engineer will shore-up the ceiling from below and re-attach the sagging ceiling plaster with the joists above. Photo: NPS files.

In addition, keying and adhesive properties may be further jeopardized by weak original mixes that were improperly applied. Substrate failure typically results from faulty lathing or rusty lath nails, causing ceilings to fall. In the 20th century, vibration from heavy vehicular traffic, nearby blasting, and even repeated sonic booms may contribute to damaging ornamental plaster. Inadequate support in an original design may also be to blame when particularly heavy units have simply broken off over time. Finally, new mechanical systems, suspended ceilings and partition walls insensitively installed in adaptive use projects, show little regard for the inspired decorations of earlier periods. 

Settlement caused stress cracking through both flat wall and ornamental plaster. Repairs to the cornice molding involve chamfering the stress cracks to a "V groove," and patching with a mixture of gypsum and lime. Photo: Jack E. Boucher, HABS, NPS.
Repairing and Replacing
Plaster failure is a matter of degree. For example, top coat failure can be repaired by applying a new finish coat over a sound early substrate. Also, if cracking or loss of all three coats has occurred and is not combined with major structural failure, it can be repaired much like flat wall plaster. For ornamental plaster, however, repair beyond patching is often equivalent to targeted replacement of entire lengths or portions of run-in-place and cast ornamentation. Pieces that are deteriorated or damaged beyond plain patching must be removed and replaced with new pieces that exactly match the existing historic plaster. For this reason, partial restoration is often a more accurate term than repair. But whichever term is used, it is not recommended that repair of ornamental plaster be undertaken at any level by property owners; it is a craft requiring years of training and experience. A qualified professional should always be called in to make an inventory of ornamental plaster enrichments and to identify those details which are repairable onsite and which should be removed for repair or remanufacture in the shop.
Immediate Action return to top ▲
Once the cause and extent of damage have been determined, treatments such as shoring, stabilization, and limited demolition can begin, preparatory to repairing or restoring historic ornamental plaster. 

Where this ceiling was suffering from structural failure, the first step was to shore it up from below. Then, toggle bolts (seen here) were used to re-attach the plaster molding to the ceiling joists. Finally, the ceiling was patched, prior to restoring significant finishes. Photo: NPS files. 

First, roof or plumbing leaks must be repaired to eliminate the problem of water intrusion. General structural repairs should be undertaken to arrest building movement, which weakens the base coat plasters to which the ornamental enrichments are attached. Ornamental plaster deflection should be corrected by shoring from below followed by re-anchoring.

Testing for poor adhesion of base coat to lath or ornament to base coat, should be conducted to reduce further loss of enrichment. Adaptive use intrusions should be carefully removed to protect the existing decorative plasterwork.

Code-required fire suppression systems should be evaluated at this time. Modern building codes may require heat/smoke/flame detectors and automatic sprinkler systems of various types and applications. Fire suppression systems as well as all mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing and electrical) systems should be designed so that they accomplish their purpose with minimal impact on the decorative plaster. Plumbing for an automatic sprinkler system, for example, can be run above new and existing coffering so that the sprinkler heads barely protrude from the rosette centers in the coffered design. Access should be provided for future system maintenance or repair.
A 20th Century Shop Tour—Personnel, Materials, and Processes return to top ▲
Before discussing how decorative forms such as cornices, medallions, and ceiling coffers are repaired onsite and in the shop by ornamental plasterers, the "shop tour" explains traditional casting processes used in conjunction with updated materials. A shop tour can be exciting, but confusing to the layman without some explanation of modeling, molding, and casting activities. For a prospective client, a visit to the plaster studio or site can be of value in choosing a qualified plastering contractor.
Shop and Personnel
Generally, a highly functional shop should look well organized—that is, not in disarray with remnants of past projects lying about to impede current production. Old molds may be in abundance, but hanging from the wall or otherwise "on file." Machinery (saws and drill presses) and hand tools should appear well maintained. In short, one might evaluate such a studio as one does an auto mechanic's shop: does it inspire confidence? This is the time to look around and ask questions. What is the shop's past project work experience? Is the firm mostly involved in new construction work or total reconstruction? More important than the way the shop looks, is the personnel sufficiently experienced in making repairs to historic decorative plaster? What about training and apprenticeships? How did the staff learn the trade? The more that is known about the total operation the better. 

This plaster studio is well organized, with ample work space. Note the plaster casts hanging neatly on the wall. Photo: Berry and Homer, Philadelphia.
Molding Rubber
Familiarity with contemporary molding rubbers is desirable. There are several formulations currently on the market. In the past, flexible molds were made with hide glue melted in a double boiler and poured over plaster originals which had been prepared with an appropriate parting agent. Of the newer rubbers, latex (painted on the model coat by coat) is time consuming and has little dimensional accuracy; polysulfide distorts under pressure; and silicone is needlessly expensive. Urethane rubber, with a 30-durometer hardness, is the current choice. Urethanes are manufactured as pourable liquids and as thixotropic pastes so that they can be used on vertical or overhead surfaces. The paste is especially useful for onsite impressions of existing ornament; the liquid is best used in the shop much as hide glue or gelatin was historically. Urethane rubber has the ability to reproduce detail as fine as a fingerprint and does not degrade during most ornamental plaster projects. No flexible molding material lasts forever, so spare casts should be maintained for future remolding.
Molding Plaster
Molding plaster will also be in evidence; it is the product most similar to that used historically. This plaster is finely ground to accept the detail of the rubber molds, not so hard as to prohibit tooling, and combines readily with finish lime. High-strength plaster is available in varying densities, some with added components for specific purposes. Most shops maintain these varieties, but use molding plaster for typical work.
Sheet Metal Templates
The contractor's familiarity with sheet metal is critical. Accurate template blades are required to reproduce both straight and curved sections of moldings. The blades must be carefully cut, filed, and sanded in order to form exact reproductive units. A tour of a sizeable shop will include observation of running techniques and the results of this activity should be much in evidence. Regardless of size, these runs should be smooth and true when made by qualified craftsmen.
Models
Models, whether of capitals, cornices, medallions or cartouches, are made as whole units or in parts depending on project demands. Completeness, accurate dimensions, and attention to historic styles are essential ingredients of successful models. Each part of a model has a name, i.e., dentil, guilloche, rinceau or bolection molding, modillion, egg and dart, and the designers and restorers of these ornaments should know their names. Failure to identify these parts correctly should be of concern to a prospective client.
Molds
Molds are "negative forms" produced from completed models. Simple flood molds require a separator or barrier coat over the original and a surrounding fence to prevent the liquid rubber from leaking out. Larger or more complicated molds are made in pieces or with a layer of rubber supported by a plaster shell or mother mold attached to a wooden or metal frame. Following completion of a successful mold, the original model is discarded because it is now possible for it to be accurately reproduced.
Casting the Molds
Casting operations should appear clean and efficient. A skillful caster's output can be voluminous and often looks effortless as it is being produced. Raw materials are close at hand, molds are rarely without curing plaster in them, production is stored so as not to warp while it is still wet and each cycle, from mixing to pouring, setting, and demolding is accomplished so as not to waste time or break plaster casts. A good caster generally obviates the need for a finishing department.

Two other aspects should be noted. Shipping facilities are critical to move the product to the restoration site safely. Drawing and design space should be separate from the production floor. In summary, the modern ornamental plaster shop inevitably looks quite different from that pictured earlier in this Preservation Brief, but, with the exception of contemporary tools and materials, the operations are the same. The following sections discuss how repairs are made by today's plaster tradesmen.
Repairing Historic Ornamental Plaster return to top ▲Cornice
A plain run or ornamented plaster cornice which has undergone damage or severe deterioration can often be repaired. Footage which is beyond repair should be identified and be carefully demolished to expose the underlying structure beneath to which the molding was secured. To replace the missing lengths, the first step is to obtain a cross-section, or profile, through the cornice from finish ceiling to finish wall lines. This is best accomplished using one of these methods:
- A section through the cornice may be determined by sawing through the   molding, inserting a sheet metal blank in the slot and tracing the profile   directly on the template. This is considerably more accurate than the profile   gauge, but will require repointing the saw kerf; alternatively, the cut may be   made on one of the deteriorated pieces, provided it was removed as an intact   unit.
- The section may be obtained by making a thixotropic rubber impression of   the molding, casting the result in fresh plaster and sawing through the cast   to transfer the cross-section to a sheet metal template.

With the section determined, it is drawn onto 22-gauge galvanized sheet metal, cut with tin snips and carefully filed to the line. The template is checked periodically against the original profile to assure a perfect match. With the template blade finally complete, it is nailed to stock and slipper, ready for running the replacement footage.

Short lengths of new cornice are best run on a bench using gypsum and lime; the reproduction molding should be somewhat longer than the required length. The new footage is cut and fit in place to match the existing cornice, then securely countersunk-screwed to studs, joists and/or blocking. The resulting joints are pointed with flat mitering rods, flush with adjacent members.

Longer lengths of cornice may be run in place, much as they were historically. Care should be taken that the position of the running mold engages with the existing work at either end of the run. Yet another method is to bench run the cornice to five or six feet, make a rubber mold of the model, and precast the replacement parts either at the site or in the shop.

If the damaged cornice is ornamented, samples of the enrichment should be removed, making sure that whole original units are obtained. This is a difficult process, since these units were stuck into plain-run recesses called "sinkages" using plaster as an adhesive. In order to insert a flat chisel behind the ornament to break the bond, some units may have to be sacrificed. Sacrifice should be minimal. The excised enrichment should then be removed to the shop for rubber molding and casting either with or without the paint buildup, depending on the demands of the project. Whereas molding with several layers of paint make it hard to discern new casts from originals, paint-stripped molding reveals the remarkable talents of the period model-makers. As noted, contemporary rubber materials have "fingerprint detail" capability. Modern casts are then applied to the new or original runs, again using plaster as an adhesive. 

Ceiling medallions may need repair or replacement, such as this elliptical medallion from Rockland, Fairmont Park, Philadelphia. An impression was taken of the existing plaster, then new plaster elements were cast. Photo: David Flaharty. 
Ceiling Medallion
Ceiling medallions are often in greater jeopardy than cornices because the joist-lath-base-coat support system is susceptible to deflection and the force of gravity. The problems of ceiling failure are more frequent in the centers of parlors because circular-run and shop-cast ornament is often quite heavy and was not historically attached with any additional mechanical fasteners such as bolts and screws.

If the lath or keys have failed, plaster ceiling ornament may be saved, in whole or in part, by removing floor boards above, then drilling and injecting each lath with an elastic acrylic or epoxy material to reattach plaster to lath, and lath to the joists. This is a recently developed procedure which should only be undertaken by experienced professionals. The consolidation and reattachment process has been used successfully in period structures with dramatic results when important plaster and painted surfaces would otherwise have been lost.

Historic lighting fixtures often hung from elaborate ceiling medallions. When these fixtures were later converted to gas and electrical service, the central ornamental plaster canopies were sometimes damaged by insensitive tradesmen. More recent adaptive use projects may have caused additional damage.

Damaged ceiling medallions can be repaired by carefully removing representative plaster ornamentation, molding and recasting in the shop and replacing the new enrichments so that they align perfectly with the original pattern. Polyvinyl acetate bonding agents are applied to the background and ornament so that the adhesive plaster grips tightly. Alternatively, a severely damaged medallion can be replaced using the fragments as physical documentation to cast a visually accurate replacement.

Sections of plain-run circular molding may also be repaired by determining a section through the run and the radius from molding to pivot point. As with cornices, the run should be made on a bench to a length greater than required, then cut and fit in place. Circular run sections are installed using plaster adhesives on bonded surfaces or modern construction adhesives after referring to manufacturers' instructions as to whether the adhesive is recommended for use on wet or dry materials. Coarse-threaded, galvanized screws are often countersunk to aid the bond; if possible, the screws should be inserted at points that will ultimately be covered with cast enrichments.

Ceiling medallions frequently appear in matching double parlors. It is not unusual for one ceiling to fail while its mate remains undamaged. The flat plastered ceiling over the location of the missing medallion often has a "ghost," confirming that a ceiling medallion once ornamented the parlor. The missing medallion may be remanufactured by securing a section, dimensions, and samples of cast enrichments from the surviving ornament and accurately following the original procedure. The ceiling on which the new work is to be set should be examined for its soundness and, if necessary, relathed (with self-furring metal lath) and plastered. The pivot point for a circular run is screwed into a wooden block, force-fit into the center electrical box, and removed after the run is completed.

After 1850, particularly in the South, ceiling medallions were often designed with cast ornament only; no plain-run surround was used. Repair of such medallions proceeds as described above but without bordering molding.

An important point needs to be made about adding ceiling medallions (or any other kind of ornamental plaster element) when there is a lack of historical evidence. If there is no ghost mark or other documentation, indicating a medallion once existed, then the room should remain unornamented as it was historically. Adding conjectural ornamentation of any type or material (i.e., shop-cast or glass fiber reinforced plaster or polystyrene foam substitutes) can create a false sense of historical development contrary to the preservation principles stated in The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. However, if there is clear indication that a ceiling medallion once existed, but there is inadequate documentation for its replacement, a medallion compatible with the room's historic character may be considered. Professional advice should be sought.
Coffered Ceiling
The Yiddish Arts Theater, New York City, c. 1920s. The concrete roof of this building had collapsed, damaging portions of the existing Moorish style coffered ceiling. The square coffer unit was easily identifiable and was removed to a casting shop for reproduction. Photo: David Flaharty. 

Like cornices and medallions, coffered ceilings suffer from poor maintenance practices and structural problems; however, these individually cast ceiling units are particularly vulnerable when a building is being rehabilitated and great care is not taken in executing the work. In the most serious of cases, portions of a roof can collapse, dropping heavy debris through the hanging coffering panels, and demolishing large portions of the ornamentation. 

But even this level of damage can usually be remedied by restoration professionals. Immediate action calls for shoring the areas adjacent to the damage, and inspecting the hanging apparatus for unforeseen detachment and deflection. New channel iron is used to stabilize the existing coffers and ties reinforced, as necessary. An intact coffering unit is then identified and carefully removed to a casting shop for molding and casting. When rehung, the units are painted to match the historic coffering.

Coffered ceilings appear with plain run or enriched cornices. In most cases it is recommended that the cornice be repaired first in order to achieve straight and level moldings. Then the damaged coffers should be replaced with the matching new coffers and the joints between pointed. Access from above is critical.
Finding and Evaluating a Contractor return to top ▲
When ornamental plaster damage or deterioration has been identified, the historic property owner, architect, or developer should secure the services of a reputable restoration contractor before proceeding further. It is clear as more and more projects are undertaken, that there is a wide disparity of skills within the trade today. This is partly due to the introduction of gypsum board as a substitute for traditional plastering. As gypsum board became popular after World War II, plasterers saw the demand for their skills decline. Plastering techniques were forgotten because they were often not passed down within shops and families. However, ornamental plaster studios have seen a resurgence in demand for their services in the last decade, particularly as more historic buildings are rehabilitated.

These Greek Revival columns (Gaineswood, Demopolis, Alabama, c. 1842-60) were drawn from Minard Lafever's Beauties of Modern Architecture of 1835. This bold new style began in New York City and quickly spread south and west. Photo: HABS Collection, NPS.

Locating an experienced contractor who is suitable for your particular project is the goal. First, many professional preservation organizations can provide references for suitable restoration contractors. Local plasterers' unions should also be able to identify contractors with experience in ornamental plaster restoration projects. Architects with preservation and restoration project experience may recommend contractors they feel have done a good job for them in the past. Museums with period rooms have engaged craftsmen to assemble the backgrounds for display of antique furniture and decorative arts. Finally, historical societies, either national, state, or municipally organized, may have funded projects which repaired and restored ornamental plaster.

Once several contractors have been identified, their specific abilities need to be evaluated. Prospective contractors should be invited to visit the job site to see and define the scope of work; written proposals, including prices, from all bidders, are essential for comparison. References should be provided and investigated. An outside consultant may be engaged or an informal adviser designated to aid in evaluating the experience and proposals of the bidders. To get a total picture, a completed project should ideally be visited by the prospective client with the contractor present to answer questions which often arise.

Finally, although this may not always be achievable, the bidder's studio may be visited, preferably on a normal working day (see A 20th Century Shop Tour, above.) Alternatively, the bidder may be visited while working onsite. Some ornamental plasterers simply do not have shops. They prefer to cast onsite, adhering the casts while the plaster is wet, and coordinating the job closely with the architect, who inspects each unit as it is cast and before it is installed.
Summary and References return to top ▲
Decorative plasterwork is usually a component of the historic character of interiors and, consequently, The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation Projects call for its protection, maintenance, and repair. Where decorative plasterwork has deteriorated beyond repair, it should be replaced to match the old. Based on physical documentation, both repair and replacement can be accomplished using traditional molding plaster and casting procedures, together with the best of the modern molding materials available. Once a "lost art" after the Depression years, the skills of today's ornamental plasterers are increasingly in demand as part of historic preservation project teams. The ingenious and inspired decorative work created by our earlier architects and artisans can now be assured an extended life. 
Acknowledgements
Thanks go to the technical experts in the field who reviewed and commented upon the draft manuscript: M. Earle Felber, Andrew Ladygo (Jefferson Poplar Forest), Lee H. Nelson, FAIA, Gilbert Wolf (National Plastering Industries), and Stephen Zychal (Ornamental Plastering, Inc.). Insightful comments were offered by Gary L. Hume, Acting Chief, Preservation Assistance Division, Karen Kummer, Small Homes Council-Building Research Council, University of Illinois, NPS cultural resources program regional offices, and the staff of Technical Preservation Services Branch, H. Ward Jandl, Chief. Old-House Journal and Fine Homebuilding were most generous to grant permission to use photographs from their publications. Kay D. Weeks is credited with coordinating this technical publication and with general editorship.

This publication has been prepared pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and make available information concerning historic properties. Technical Preservation Services (TPS), National Park Service prepares standards, guidelines, and other educational materials on responsible historic preservation treatments for a broad public.

October 1990
Reading List return to top ▲
Bankart, George. The Art of the Plasterer. London: B. T. Batsford, 1908.

Dalton, Byron William. Practical Plastering and Cement Finishing and Related Subjects. Chicago, Illinois: Byron William Dalton, 1949. 

Flaharty, David. "Ornamental Plaster Restoration." Fine Homebuilding. No. 57, December, 1989/January 1990, pp. 3842. 

Garrison, John Mark. "Decorative Plaster: Running Cornices." The Old-House Journal. Vol. XII., No. 101, December, 1984, pp. 214219. 

____________. "Casting Decorative Plaster." The Old-House Journal. Vol. XIII, No. 9, November, 1985, pp. 186189. 

Gypsum Construction Handbook. Chicago, Illinois: United States Gypsum Co., 1986. 

Harris, Cyril M., editor. Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture. New York: Dover Publications, 1983. 

Millar, William. Plastering, Plain and Decorative. London: B. T. Batsford, 1897. 

Phillips, Morgan. "Adhesives for the Reattachment of Loose Plaster" Association for Preservation Technology Bulletin, Vol. XII, No. 2,1980, pp. 3763. 

Van den Branden, F. and Hartsell, Thomas L. Plastering Skills. Homewood, Illinois: American Technical Publishers, Inc., 1984. 
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