Paint Analysis and Recommendations for Repainting: The Verbauwhede Confectionary (Bldg. 35d)

Pearson, Barbara

The objective of this paint analysis is to determine the earliest exterior painting scheme of the Verbauwhede Confectionary (Bldg. 35D) located in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Skagway, Alaska, for the purpose of recommending historically accurate colors for repainting. Among a total of 83 paint samples examined from Building 35D,monly 8 samples were observed to have retained what are believed to be the earliest finishes. These finishes were observed to be a cream color paint and a resinous finish (believed to be a varnish) . The cream paint was identified in paint samples taken from various elements of the storefront and the second story, front facade, and the varnish finish was seen in samples taken from the left door (presently covered), front facade. Most paint samples from the second story, front facade, and all paint samples from the siding and storefront, side facade, were missing this early cream paint layer. This may indicate either that these areas were not originally painted, or that they were painted but not repainted for an extended period of time so that the early paint weathered off. In either case, sand and dirt would be expected to be found on the wood substrate of the samples. This is indeed the case for the samples from the side facade and most of the samples from the second story, front facade. One sample from the front facade, however, #30-F, provides further evidence. Being one of the few samples from the second story to have retained the cream paint layer, it is further distinguished by having a heavy dirt layer between the cream layer and the following gray paint layer. This evidence would seem to support the latter theory for the second story, front facade. Unfortunately, similar evidence was not found in paint samples from the side facade, so it is not possible to state conclusively that this area had been originally painted. The early varnish finish was found only in paint samples from the left door, front facade. The right door, front facade, is noted as being "not historic". The rear door, side facade, is lacking all but the most recent white paint layers, which may either indicate that the door is a relatively recent addition, or that the early finish has weathered off. Absence of weathering evidence on the wood substrate would seem to support the former possibility. The time period which the early cream paint layer and the varnish finish represent is most likely c. 1899, the date of construction of the two-story structure comprising the front section of Building 35D. Since no major structural alterations are mentioned in the historical documentation on Building 35D, it is therefore assumed that the main building has generally retained its c. 1899 appearance, and parenthetically its earliest paint layers. It is also not possible to conclude, either from the paint sample evidence, or from the historical documentation available, at what date the rear attached structures were constructed. Logic would seem to dictate that the rear structures were built some time after 1899, with the middle structure being constructed first, the rear next, and the lean-to last. As mentioned previously, however, no physical or written documentation is available at this time to document this theory.

Paint Analysis and Recommendations for Repainting: The Verbauwhede Confectionary (Bldg. 35d)

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