Numerous samples from the wall plaster were taken for examination and the first surviving paint finish is the light gray emulsion finish that is the second finish on the samples from the Entablature and the Ceiling Medallion. One of the samples was sent to Dr. Richard Wolbers at the University of Delaware for Enzyme fluorescent examination. This confirmed that there is a glue size on the wall plaster.

The presence of the glue size is not definitive, but would be supportive of the use of wallpaper as the first finish on the walls. Since there is a definite white distemper finish which would date to the period of construction, ca. 1857, that predates the light gray emulsion paint period, the “missing” wall finish may have been paper. It is possible the paper was hung with a thin proteinaceous glue size instead of wheat paste, or other type of carbohydrate paste. (Similar findings informed the restoration of Locust Grove, Louisville, Kentucky where glue size was used to hang papers in a number of rooms.)

Suggested wall treatment: Wallpaper appropriate to the ca. 1857 period.