Soho’s ‘Historic’ Facelift for Boulton Bicentenary
Two hundred year old decorating techniques will be used to restore the exterior of Soho House; the former home of industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, ahead of the bicentenary of his death in 2009.
The work, which commences this week, will see conservation specialists painting the exterior of the building using a mixture of paint and sand in order to replicate the appearance of stone. Such a technique was extremely rare – the only other site where a similar approach was used was Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire.
When the house was restored as a museum in the early 1990s, great care was taken to reproduce the unique sanded paint finish, however, in recent years, the painted surface has started to lift away from the slate on two sides of the building. The work is set to be completed by early November and, despite the scaffolding, the Grade II* listed building will remain open throughout.
Matthew Boulton is one of Birmingham's most important historic figures, and an individual who made a hugely significant contribution to world history. Boulton chose to make his home at Soho House as it was close to the site where he established his world-renowned Soho manufactory – one of the first factories in the world. Here he employed some 700 people to make a whole range of goods including ‘toys’ (small metal decorative objects like buckles and snuff boxes), silver, ormolu (gilded bronze), Sheffield plate, coinage, medals and eventually the steam engine.
In 2009 there will be a range of events, exhibitions, publications and on-line resources to mark the Bicentenary of Boulton’s death and celebrate his life and legacy. The centrepiece will be a major exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (30th – May – 27th September) as well as further exhibitions at Soho House and other venues across the city.
Cllr Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture commented:
“It is important that we preserve and care for our local heritage and I am delighted that the refurbishment of Soho House’s unique exterior paintwork is taking place so that it will look its best when the eyes of the world are on it during the Matthew Boulton Bicentenary celebrations in 2009’
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