A lot happens behind closed doors in the off-season! Since last year, the Mansion has been lucky to retain the services of Harper Batsford, a trained Collections Maintenance Technician. Harper has been going from room to room, intensively cleaning the hard to reach nooks and crannies of the house, including the intricate perforated frieze work cornice in the Library. Harper also recently spotted a signature on the Library cornice from one of the original craftsmen in 1860!
Harper has trained with Arts Conservator Siobhan Lindsay and Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind and works as a Collections Maintenance Technician at the Tate House Museum as well. He has a background in history and archaeology and entered conservation by cataloguing collections at the Maine Historical Society and the Tate House. If you notice how spotless the Mansion is the next time you visit, thank Harper!
