Stencil House, Historic house in Shelburne, US
The Stencil House is a residential building with distinctive wall decorations painted directly onto wooden surfaces throughout multiple interior rooms. The structure includes a central fireplace, parlor, hallway, kitchen, and entry foyer on the ground floor.
The building was constructed in 1804 as a farmhouse in Columbus, New York before being relocated to the Shelburne Museum in 1953. This move preserved it from deterioration and allowed for restoration of its original decorative features.
The painted walls show what families valued in the 1800s through designs of grape leaves, flower vases, and patriotic eagles applied directly to wooden surfaces by traveling artists. These hand-painted patterns reveal the artistic tastes and decorative standards of the time.
Access is typically gained as part of a museum visit, so comfortable walking shoes are helpful for exploring the interior. The painted details are best seen during daylight hours when natural light illuminates the walls most clearly.
Workers discovered extensive original painted patterns hidden beneath layers of old wallpaper during restoration work in 1953. This discovery led to careful uncovering and preservation of the complete wall decorations throughout the house.
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