The Portland daily press., 1877-04-10
ODD FELLOWS HALL.
A Splendid Piece Of Mural Decoration.

One of the finest specimens of mural decora-
ton in New England, and certainly the finest
in Maine, is to be seen in the new grand hall
of the Odd Fellows at their lodge and encamp
ment rooms in Harrington Block. The rooms,
numerous, convenient, and completely fur
nished, make a headquarters for the Order in
this state of which it has reason to be proud.
In the arrangement of the general lodge hall.
where all the lodges of the city meet and
where the grand bodies hold their sessions, the
Order in Portland, fired by generous spirit of
rivalry, determined upon furnishing the most
finely decorated Odd Fellows room in the New
England States Their triumphant success is
frankly acknowledged by their brothers every
where.
The mural decoration of the new hall was
given into the hands Of Mr.. Charles j. Schu-
macher, decorative artist of high repute, who
has won for himself within late years notable
position in his profession by the merit of his
conceptions and his strength and correctness
in color and drawing. The event has justified
the choice, and Mr.. Schumacher has given
piece of mural decoration which commands
general admiration, and which will rank with
WUIh u tho oUIb WhOAC AL A>OW A1uSAohu'
The hall, twenty-eight feet in height, affords
opportunity for striking effect in color and
drawing, opportunity which has been amply
improved. The style of design follows that of
the Renaissance, the artist feeling constrained
to adapt the mural decoration to the wood.
work, but the colors used are the Eastlake.
The result is a charming illustration of the
modern composite decorative STYLE The pre-
vailing shade is rich, deep. brown, delicately
toned off with grays, and enlvened, when
necessary, by dashes of fine color The effect
is rich, sombre and elegant as BELTS room
dedicated to mystery. The ceiling rests upon
the stucco cornice, and is, outside of the panel
ing, done in bands upon base Of cones in
brown. Above the cone-base and below the
panels, in band running all around the hall,
beginning at the right of the dark red canopy
which roofs in the seat of the Noble Grand,
are the embems of the different degrees of the
Order. Above these, on the centre of the cell
ing, are two large panels. the one bearing an
emblematic figure of Charity, the other very
striking and noble conception, representing the
giving of the commandments on Sinai. Over
each official seat, pictured on black and Won
1Se"AN,
the appropriate jewels Of each officer On the
wall, at the left of the great organ, David and
Jonathan personify brotherly love, while on
the right the parable of the Good Samaritan is
pictured. At one side of the Vice Grand's
! chair is'the figure of Faith; at the other, Of
Charity. The prevailing color of the panelled
wall is the brown, relieved by deli
cate gray, and set off with deep suspicion of
| gold The general effect is sumptuous, and
makes the room one of the richest society halls,
| in point of decoration, of any in the country.
The .Encampment hall, done after the same
manner, and set off in purple, the emblematic
| color of the degree, and the Rebekah Lodge
room, are also admirably decorated The
Order has certainly reason to. be proud of the
| elegant rooms occupied by its Portland mem
Il 1a-a