140P2020R0019-0001_Att04c_HistStructureReport-Pt03of03_081125.pdf

APPENDIX B

Original Specifications, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, 189772

72 These specifications were transcribed in Peggy Albee’s Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, HSR, Provincetown, Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. (Boston, MA: U.S. DOI, NPS, NAR, CRC, BCB, June 1988) Appendix B, pp. 152 - 172.

APPENDIX C

FIELD NOTES: MEASUREMENTS

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Sandy Hook Unit; Gateway National Recreation Area Richard Wells and Peter Dessauer NPS, Denver Services Center, 1988

APPENDIX D

Specifications for work of repairs and improvements at the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Fifth District, December 190873

73 These specifications were transcribed in Edwin C. Bearss, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station Historic Resources Study and Historic Structure Report (Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, January 1983) Appendix C, pp. 318 - 323.

jlee Stamp

APPENDIX E

Paint Analysis

Introduction

Project Scope

The exterior and interior of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station will be rehabilitated to reflect the stations historic appearance. This report describes the findings of the exterior and interior paint analysis conducted on the historic building elements of the life-saving station. The historic paint finishes are described in the following tables, with selected layers matched to a standardized color-notation system for the periods of interpretive interest.74 The exterior and interior paint colors were matched to early paint applications that date from the construction of the station through 1915 when the Life-Saving Service was merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard.

The information in this report can be used to recreate the historic finishes of the exterior and interior of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station for the periods specified.

Methodology

A total of two-hundred fifteen exterior and interior paint samples were taken during site visits to the Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA in November 2007 and January 2008 (see “Paint Sample Locations”). Paint samples were taken from accessible building elements using an Xacto knife and are included in the list of “Paint Sample Locations.” In the laboratory at the Historic Architecture Program (HAP) in Lowell, MA, all samples were examined with a Bausch and Lomb “Sterozoom 7” microscope under 10 to 70 times magnification, illuminated by tungsten fiber-optic light. Some samples were also examined under ultraviolet light to help determine the sequence and composition of paint layers. Representative samples were mounted in wax-filled Petri-dishes to better examine their finish sequences. All samples taken from the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station will be stored at the HAP laboratory in Lowell, MA, and will be available for future research.

Limited chemical testing was also preformed in conjunction with the paint analysis. Paints containing lead were identified by spot testing with a solution of sodium sulfide and water.

The presence of shellac was determined by testing with denatured alcohol.

The chronological finish stratigraphy from each sample was recorded in chart form; these sequences were correlated to one another through their common layers. These “chromo-chronologies” are given in the subsequent tables; each horizontal row represents the elements’ finishes at one period in time. Drawing upon the documentary and physical research, dates were assigned to some of the rows to illustrate the finishes during certain periods.

74 The Munsell Color Notation System is an internationally recognized standard of color measurement that identifies color in terms of three attributes, hue (color), value (lightness/darkness, or degree of white/black mixed in to the color) and chroma (saturation, or intensity of the color).

Color matches were performed under the HAP microscope to the finish layer determined to be representative of the periods described above. The layers were matched to Munsell System color cards, glossy finish, and are included with this report. Photomicrographs of selected paint samples are included with this report and provide representative examples of the paint finishes applied to the exterior and interior elements of the life-saving station.

All color names are subjective designations intended to distinguish between paint layers and provide a general color notation. The Munsell color notations provide a standard method of color description, but are approximations not exact matches of the historic paint colors. In addition, paints (particularly oil-based) can darken or yellow over time, and certain pigments fade. It should also be noted that color is only one factor affecting a coatings’ appearance;

sheen, opacity, texture, and application techniques also play a role.

Exterior Paint Analysis

Forty-seven paint samples were taken from exterior building elements of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station that were representative of the stations original materials. The present Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was constructed 1894 (see “Original Appearance”).

Exterior paint samples were taken to identify historic paint colors and also for a means of comparing various exterior elements. Through examination of the paint evidence it was possible to discern which elements were original and which were later alterations. That helped gain a better understanding of the original structure and the evolution of the station.

Selected samples from exterior building materials are listed in Tables I, II, and III which illustrate the exterior paint colors of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station from the earliest paint application to the most recent.

Examination of the exterior paint samples and station documentation, including historic photographs, helped establish the earliest paint schemes. Photographic documentation indicated that the exterior wall shingles were originally unpainted, and were probably not painted until circa 1930. Other exterior elements including the trim, cornices, doorway elements, and window opening elements were originally painted. The earliest paint colors found on those elements at Spermaceti Cove were similar the paint colors used on the exterior of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station75 and specified for the Duluth-type life-saving station.

As previously discussed, it appeared that the specifications for the Duluth-type life-saving station were general specifications that were adapted to the individual stations. The specifications for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station incorporated a section entitled “Paint and Glazing” with the following general guide lines and specific instructions for the exterior work:

All woodwork for painting and oiling to be prepared by properly rubbing down, puttying up, etc.

75 Andrea Gilmore, Old Harbor Life Saving Station Paint Study (Boston, MA: NPS, NARO, BCB, CRC 1979); included as “Appendix N. Finishes Analysis,” Albee pp. 288 – 332. It should be noted that the Paint Study for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station focused on the interior paint colors. The determination of the exterior paint colors was based on the specifications for that station.

All knots properly killed with shellac, nails set, and work oiled before puttying up.

All paint work to be of the best material, with a mixed white lead and zinc base, using a large portion of oil, and the smallest practicable portion of spirit or drier.

Only pure linseed oil to be used.

Shingles not to be painted or stained Outside work. – All the outside work usually painted to be painted three coats.

The following to be painted a French gray: Cornices, trimmings, moldings, casings, piazza, and porch posts, railings, steps, and the ceilings of piazza and porch. Outside of all window sashes to be blue black.

The remainder of the outside work, including doors, to be light Colonial yellow.

Pulley stiles oiled three coats, not painted. Cherry window stops oiled two coats and varnished.76

The specifications also called for the following exterior finishes for the Boat Room:

Boat-room paint. – In boat room, doors both sides, sashes (inside), and trimmings about them to be painted a light olive.77

The fact that the exterior wall shingles were originally unpainted was corroborated through historic photographs and the station specifications. In addition the specification noted that the shingles were not stained. The extant wall shingles, with the exception of those within the west elevation enclosed porch, were replaced by the NPS in 1987 - 1988. It also seems likely that the shingles within the enclosed porch were replaced in circa 1918 when the station was reshingled. However, the documentation leaves no doubt that the shingles were historically left unfinished.

The earliest paint color on the trim elements, including the cornices, raked moldings, Tower brackets, front and back porch elements, and doorway and window opening surrounds was an off-white primer followed by a light gray finish color. It appeared that these paints were applied soon after the station was completed. This was especially evident on certain samples that had layers of dirt between paint applications but none between the wood and the first two paint colors. The medium gray paint color matches both the “French gray” specification and the paint color used at Old Harbor. The medium gray color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 10YR 5/1.

Other exterior elements of the station appeared to be finished as described in the specifications. However, in many cases the extant exterior elements have been rehabilitated and the earlier finishes removed. The most reliable exterior sash sample was taken from W109, which was an original opening with original sashes. The lower sash (sample P105) had an off-white primer with a black finish that was similar to the “blue black” color specified for the exterior of the sashes. The black sash color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System N 0.5/0.6%, which is a neutral black.

76 Albee p. 167. See Appendix B of this report.

77 Ibid.

The west elevation entry doorway (D103) provided the best paint sample for the exterior door color. The earliest paint color on that door was a tan, which was also evident on the door for D101. The tan color could also be described as yellow ochre, which appears to have been the “Colonial yellow” color specified for the doors. The tan paint color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 10YR 7/6.

Though the Boat Room doors have been replaced, the specifications cited above indicated that they were painted the same olive green as some of the interior elements (see “Interior Paint Analysis”). The olive green color matched to the interior elements of the Spermaceti Cove station was Munsell Color Notation System 7.5Y 4/4.

The records of the Life-Saving Service documented the painting of the exterior, which provided a basis for determining the time periods for certain color applications. The log books recorded that in May 1903 the crew of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station painted the exterior of the station. This project was undertaken soon after a standardized paint color was established for the U.S. Life-Saving Service Fifth District stations.78 The paint evidence indicated that during this exterior paint application the same color was applied to the exterior trim elements, window opening elements and doorway elements, with the possible exception of the Boat Room doors. The paint layer above the earlier medium gray was a yellowish tan color that appeared to coincide with the 1903 paint project. The same yellowish tan paint color was applied to the exterior trim, cornices, porch elements, doorways and doors, window openings and sashes. The yellowish tan paint color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 2.5Y 9/4.

The next documented paint application to the exterior of the life-saving station was in May 1908; five years after the previous painting project. At that time the crew painted the exterior of the station, the storehouse, and the flagstaff. The records indicated that they used 100 pounds of white lead, 15 pounds of blind green, 4½ gallons of raw linseed oil, 1 quart of japan dryer, ½ gallon of turpentine, and 10 pounds of putty.79 The paint evidence indicated that some of the exterior elements were again painted with a yellowish tan color but that the color of certain elements was changed. A second application of yellowish tan was found on the cornice trim, rake moldings, porch elements, and doorway and window opening surrounds.

However, the doors and window sashes appeared to have been painted green. The use of the green paint on those elements during the 1908 paint application was supported by the list of materials that included “blind green.” It is not known whether the Boat Room doors were kept olive green or painted the darker green to match the other doors and window sashes at the time. For the 1908 paint application the yellowish tan trim paint was the same as the previous application (2.5Y 9/4) and the green paint was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 7.5G 2/6.

As previously discussed, the first significant alterations to the station occurred in 1909 when the basement, the south elevation bulkhead, and the window opening for the basement stairway (W106) were added. Since this work occurred soon after the exterior painting in 1908 the new elements were presumably primed and painted to match the existing building.

The exterior of the Spermaceti Cove station was painted again in April 1912. The paint evidence indicated that at that time the trim color was changed to off-white, while the doors

78 Bearss, p. 255.

79 Ibid, p. 266.

and window sashes remained green. Since there are overall fewer paint layers on the doors and sashes it appeared possible that they were not painted at the time, since it was only four years since the previous paint application. The paint samples from the porch rafters and ceiling indicated that they were painted a mint-green color at this time, while the other porch elements were painted off-white. The off-white paint color used in this paint application was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 5Y 8/2 and the mint-green was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 7.5G 8/2.

Of the documentation reviewed, the 1912 paint application was the last documented exterior paint project during the tenure of the Life-Saving Service and the Coast Guard. The paint evidence indicated that the exterior of the station was painted several times during the use by the Coast Guard. Those paint applications appeared to continue the use of off-white or white trim, with green doors and sashes. The paint evidence also showed that the porch rafters and ceilings were painted green during most of that period. Historic photographs from circa 1916 indicated that the Boat Room doors were painted a dark color which matched the window sash paint. Thus the white and green color scheme continued through the Coast Guards use of the station. The only anomaly appeared to be the paint colors on the elements of the front porch some time after circa 1916. Paint samples from the extant half-post indicated that it and most likely other posts and railings were paint an olive-tan color. The front porch rafter sample indicated that the rafters were painted gray at that same time. These colors were not found on samples from the back porch and are not consistent with earlier paint colors or the later colors.

The exterior wall shingles were also painted during the Coast Guard tenure at Spermaceti Cove. A paint sample from the wall shingles enclosed by the west porch indicated that the walls were painted white until 1987 when the old shingles were removed and replaced with unpainted shingles. This appearance of the exterior wall shingles is appropriate for the stations appearance prior to circa 1930.

The paint colors matched for the exterior of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station date from the original construction in 1894, the 1908 paint application and the 1912 paint application. The station was altered in 1909 and those alterations will not be removed during future rehabilitation. The original paint colors are useful in the interpretation of the Spermaceti Cove station and the Duluth-type station but would not be representative of the structure after the 1909 alterations. It is therefore recommended that the exterior be painted to match either the 1908 or the 1912 paint colors. The use of either of those period paint colors would be representative of how the station historically appeared.

TABLE I. Exterior Elements

SAMPLE P087 P115, P119 P089, P090 P113, P114

ELEMENT East/front porch northeast post at Tower.

West/back porch cased beam & southeast post

East/front porch rafter

West/back porch rafter & ceiling board

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood

1894 off-white medium gray off-white medium gray off-white medium gray off-white medium gray

1903 yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan

1908 yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan

1912 off-white off-white mint green mint green

ca. 1916 off-white off-white olive/tan off-white off-white gray white off-white green green

ca. 1930 white off-white green green white white off-white white dark green dark green white white porch enclosed green & ceiling/rafters

ca. 1962 off-white off-white covered ca. 1962 light blue/gray thru 2004.

gray gray gray white gray

1979 white white white white

TABLE II. Exterior Elements

SAMPLE P103 P106 P104 P105

ELEMENT West elevation

W111 window opening casing

West elevation W109 & north elevation W114 window casings

West elevation W112 lower sash

West elevation W109 lower sash

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood

1894 medium gray off-white black

1903 yellowish tan yellowish tan

1908 yellowish tan green

1912 off-white

ca. 1916 off-white green

(grayed)

ca. 1930 off-white off-white off-white dark green dark green white white white white green green green green

ca. 1962 light blue/gray light blue/gray light blue/gray light blue/gray gray gray gray gray medium gray medium gray medium gray

1979 off-white off-white off-white off-white white white white white white white white white

TABLE III. Exterior Elements

SAMPLE P097, P099 P084 P122 P126

ELEMENT South elevation belt course, & west elevation cornice

South elevation of Tower D101

West elevation D103 (within enclosed porch was exterior)

West elevation W207 & W208 north window casing

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood

1894 off-white medium gray tan tan medium gray

1903 yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan

1908 yellowish tan green green yellowish tan

1912 off-white green green off-white

ca. 1916 off-white dark green dark green off-white off-white off-white green green off-white white white

ca. 1930 white green white white white white white light gray white white white white green

ca. 1962 white off-white light blue/gray light blue/gray gray gray

1979 white white white white white white

Table IV. Exterior Elements Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch80

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Cornices, Raked Moldings, Tower Brackets, Front and Back Porch Elements, Doorway and Window Opening Surrounds

10YR 5/1

(medium gray)

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Window Sashes N 0.5/0.6%

(black)

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Exterior Doors of Main Block and Tower (D101, D102, D103)

10YR 7/6

(tan)

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Boat Room Doors (since there was no physical evidence of the olive green color on the extant doors, the color is based on the interior samples and the specifications for the Duluth-type station)

7.5Y 4/4 (olive green)

80 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR.

Table V. Exterior Elements Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch81

Exterior Elements circa 1908 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Cornices, Raked Moldings, Tower Brackets, Front and Back Porch Elements, Doorway and Window Opening Surrounds

2.5Y 9/4 (yellowish tan)

Exterior Elements circa 1908 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Window Sashes Exterior Doors (D101, D102, D103) (the color of the Boat Room Doors is unknown for this period)

7.5G 2/6 (blind green)

81 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color

Table VI. Exterior Elements Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch82

Exterior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Cornices, Raked Moldings, Tower Brackets, Front and Back Porch Posts, Railings, & , Doorway and Window Opening Surrounds

5Y 8/2 (off-white)

Exterior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Window Sashes Exterior Doors (D101, D102, D103) (the color of the Boat Room Doors is unknown for this period, but historic photographs depict the doors matching the sash color in circa 1916)

7.5G 2/6 (blind green)

Exterior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Front and Back Porch Rafters and Ceilings 7.5G 8/2

(mint-green)

82 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color

Figure 65. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P087 taken from the East/Front Porch original northeast half-post.

Figure 66. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P089 taken from verge board and rafter on East/Front Porch.

Interior Paint Analysis

One-hundred sixty-eight paint samples were taken from interior building elements of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. Interior paint samples were taken to identify historic paint colors and also for a means of comparing various elements and determining which elements were alterations. Through analysis of the paint evidence it was possible to gain a better understanding of the original structure and the evolution of the station. As with the exterior paint projects the log books of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station documented when the crew painted the interior of the station. That information provided a basis for determining when certain paint colors were applied. Selected samples from interior building materials are listed in Tables VII through XV which illustrate the interior paint colors of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station from the earliest paint application to the most recent.

Original Paint Colors

The earliest paint colors on the interior elements at Spermaceti Cove were similar the paint colors found on the interior of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station83 and specified for the Duluth-type life-saving station. As previously discussed, the specifications for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station incorporated a section entitled “Paint and Glazing,” which included the following instructions for the interior work:

Inside work. – All work usually painted to have three coats.

The following are to be French gray: Boards and exposed timber of first-story ceilings.

The following a light olive tint: Doors, sashes, all standing finish, casings, dado, base, chair rail, sheathing, pantry, cupboards, shelves, underside of stowaway floor and timbers, underside of roof and timbers, second-story ceiling and timber of tower, third story and watch room of tower, including walls, ceilings, and exposed timbers, sheathing, stepladder, string casings, and exposed woodwork of all stairs (excepting the hard-wood work, which will be oiled two coats and rubbed down), crew’s lockers, mantels, standing finish. All upper hard-wood floors, including piazza, to be oiled two coats in the proportion 1 turpentine to 8 raw oil.

Boat-room paint. – In boat room, doors both sides, sashes (inside), and trimmings about them to be painted a light olive.

Excepting as above specified, there will be no paint work inside boat room. Plank to platform and runways will not be painted.84

The interior paint samples indicated that the woodwork at the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life- Saving Station was painted according to the specifications. Of the extant original materials sampled in the Main Block and Tower an olive green paint color was the first finish layer on the first-story wainscoting, doorway surrounds, doors, window opening surrounds, and sashes; the second-story wainscoting, baseboard (Room 205), doorway surrounds, doors, 83 Gilmore, see Albee pp. 288 – 332.

84 Albee p. 167. See Appendix B of this report.

transom (D205), window opening surrounds, sashes, exposed rafters and roof sheathing/ceiling boards, raked molding, and narrow molding at the juncture of the rafters and walls; the third-story doorway surrounds, window surrounds, exposed rafters and roof sheathing/ceiling boards (Room 302), and stepladder stringers (the third-story wainscoting appeared to be replaced, and the sashes were either stripped of their finishes or replaced); the fourth-story original woodwork including wainscoting, cornice molding, corner post casing, window seat soffits, and window opening surrounds (the sashes were not original). The olive green color matched to the interior elements of the Spermaceti Cove station was Munsell Color Notation System 7.5Y 4/4. The only anomaly appeared to be the wainscoting in the back entry hall (Room 106) which appeared to have been originally shellacked and not painted until after the Life-Saving Service period.

As stated in the specifications, some of the exceptions to the painted interior woodwork were the hardwood elements of the staircase. Samples taken from the newel posts, railing, balusters, risers, and treads indicated that these were originally unpainted. In addition, the log books for the station documented that the staircase elements were oiled.85

The specifications noted that the interior wall plaster should be made with “sufficient yellow ocher to be mixed with the sand coat to finish a light canary tint.”86 This indicated that the interior plaster walls were originally intended to be unpainted. The absence of a paint color specification for the walls in the specifications further supports this conclusion. Paint samples from the extant plaster walls exhibited a tinted plaster that would have had a tan appearance, as well as subsequent paint layers.

In the first story the exposed joists and boards on the ceilings were to be painted “French gray.” The only original exposed ceiling elements on the first story were in the basement staircase closet (Room 104a). However, the ceiling was inaccessible and was not sampled during this project. Since other first story rooms were painted as specified, it seems likely that the ceilings were also painted as specified. Also some of the exterior elements were painted medium gray including the porch ceiling elements. Presumably that exterior gray was “French gray” since that was specified for the exterior too. If additional ceiling elements are uncovered during the rehabilitation of the station, they should be examined for paint evidence. The medium gray color on the exterior elements was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 10YR 5/1.

Paint samples from the Boat Room (Room 109) indicated that it was also originally painted to specification. In this case the walls and exposed timbers were left unpainted and the doorway surrounds, doors, window opening surrounds, and sashes were painted olive green.

Though most of the wood flooring on the first story is currently covered, the log books documented that the Spermaceti Cove station crew oiled the floors prior to moving into the station. The log books also recorded that the floors were periodically oiled throughout the Life-Saving Service tenure at Spermaceti Cove.

85 Bearss, p. 153.

86 Albee p. 161. See Appendix B of this report.

Subsequent Paint Colors

The station log books recorded that the Kitchen and Mess Room were painted in 1897.87 The documentation suggested that this was the first paint application to the wall plaster. The woodwork elements in those rooms may have been painted at the same time. However, there was no historic wall material extant in either of the rooms for paint sampling.

The next recorded interior paint application was in April 1902. At that time the crew painted the Mess Room, Keeper’s Room and other rooms.88 The quantity of materials used was less than one-sixth of the quantities used for future interior painting projects, which suggested that only a few rooms were painted. The paint evidence suggested that the plaster walls of the Back Entry Hall (Room 106) were also painted at that time, which seems likely given its proximity to the Keeper’s Room. Of the first-story rooms sampled it appeared the Room 106 was the only room with intact original materials that showed evidence of the 1902 paint application. As previously described, all original building materials were removed from the mess room and most are not extant in the Keeper’s Room.

What appeared to be the first extensive interior paint project since the original application was in April and May of 1906.89 Both the documentary evidence and the paint evidence suggested that most of the rooms were painted at that time. Analysis of the paint evidence suggests that the woodwork on the first story of the station was painted a light gray at that time. The light gray paint color did have an olive cast to it as well. Of the extant materials tested only the wainscoting in the back entry hall did not exhibit the light gray. The light gray paint color was also applied to the woodwork on the second story, third story, and fourth story, including the staircase wainscoting. The light gray color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 10Y 7/1.

Paint samples from the extant original plaster indicated that the plaster walls were painted tan during the 1906 paint application. The tan color used was similar to the original tan finish of the unpainted plaster. The same color was used on the first, second, and third-story rooms with the exception of Room 205 and Room 302, in which the plaster was left unpainted. The tan paint color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 2.5Y 8/4.

The interior of the station was painted again in the spring of 1912 but when the crew ran out of supplies it was continued in May of the following year.90 The records documented that the materials used included the same natural lead tints as in 1906, which suggested that the paint colors in 1912 and 1913 would be similar to those used in 1906. The paint samples indicated that the plaster was painted tan during this period but woodwork was painted a light gray- tan color, which was different from the light gray used on the woodwork in 1906. The light gray-tan paint color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 2.5Y 7/2.

87 Bearss, p. 152.

88 Bearss, p. 254.

89 Bearss, p. 264.

90 Bearss, pp. 278 & 279.

On the first story the basement staircase closet (Room 104a) that was created in 1909 was not painted in 1912 but retained the paint colors that were applied to the original elements of the Storm Clothes Room in 1906 (those same colors were applied to the tongue-and-groove board partition wall and the new window opening when they were installed in 1909).

The paint evidence indicated that the plaster walls and the doorway trim in the back entry hallway were painted in 1912 but that the wainscoting in that room remained unpainted until a later date.

The paint samples from the second-story elements indicated that the primary spaces including the Staircase Hallway, Locker Room, and Crew’s Quarters were all painted in 1912.

However, the Spare Room (Room 205) was not painted at that time and retained the 1906 paint colors.

On the third-story examination of the paint evidence determined that only the plaster walls in the Staircase Hallway were painted in 1912. The woodwork in that room retained the light gray color of the previous paint scheme and the elements in the Stowaway (Room 302) retained their original finish.

Likewise, the woodwork in the fourth-story Watch Room retained the 1906 light gray paint color. However, the paint samples indicated that his room received an additional application of the light gray paint color. It is not known whether that second application of light gray occurred in 1912 or prior to that, but a layer of oil between the two gray layers does suggest that they were applied at different times.

As with the previous paint application, the Boat Room walls and exposed framing remained unpainted and the window opening elements were painted to match other woodwork in the station.

The documentation for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station does not discuss painting projects beyond the 1912 and 1913 paint applications. The paint evidence demonstrated that the interior woodwork and plaster walls were painted numerous times during the occupancy by the U.S. Coast Guard, the N.J. State Parks Department, and the NPS.

Two unique paint colors appeared to be applied during the Life-Saving Service tenure. In Rooms 106, 107, and 201 there was evidence of a yellowish-green paint directly after the 1912 paint colors. In Room 106 that color was on both the plaster and the woodwork and helped delineate the paint stratigraphy for that space. Another color that coincided with the yellowish green was a deep purple found on the woodwork in the Tower Watch Room. This color appeared after the second application of light gray, which was most likely after 1912.

A paint scheme that was applied numerous times to the interior of the station consisted of an orange-tan paint color on the plaster and an off-white paint color on the woodwork. The occurrence of these colors in the paint stratigraphy on practically every interior paint sample indicated that they were applied during the years the station was used by the U.S. Coast Guard. The orange-tan paint color used in this paint application was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 7.5YR 6/8 and the off-white was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 5Y 9/1. The paint applications also helped date certain alterations to the building to the U.S. Coast Guard period.

Subsequent paint schemes included off-white woodwork and plaster; light blue woodwork and off-white plaster (the staircase was first painted with this color); and more recently some rooms were painted off-white and others with combinations of gray woodwork and white plaster/wall board and ceilings, as well as gray below the chair rail level and white on the upper wall sections in the Boat Room.

Since the station was altered in 1909 and those alterations will not be removed during future rehabilitation, it is recommended that the interior be painted to match either the 1906 or the 1912 paint colors. The original paint colors are useful in the interpretation of the Spermaceti Cove station and the Duluth-type station but would not be representative of the structure after the 1909 alterations. The use of paint colors from either of the 1908 or 1912 periods would be representative of how the station historically appeared.

TABLE VII. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P002, P010 P004, P006, P072, P075

ELEMENT Room 101, D101 architrave Room 101, west wall wainscoting

Room 101a, north wall wainscoting

Room 101, stair newels, and stringer

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood

ca. 1894 brown olive green tan/brown olive green brown olive green built up layers of oil

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902.

1906 light gray light gray light gray light gray

1912-1913 light gray-tan light gray-tan light gray-tan off-white off-white white off-white off-white off-white off-white off-white off-white

(wall enclosing Room 101a was installed) light blue light blue light blue light blue light blue light blue light blue light blue light blue light blue mint green light gray red-brown red-brown red-brown light gray light gray gray medium gray medium gray medium gray gray gray dark gray gray gray

TABLE VIII. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P014 P015, P016 P017 P010

ELEMENT Room 102, south wall plaster Room 102, cornice molding and frame of ceiling coffer

Room 102, panel of ceiling coffer

Room 102, D110 architrave

SUBSTRATE Plaster Wood Wood Wood

1894 finish coat pigmented with yellow ocher brown olive green

1906 tan light gray

1912-1913 tan light gray-tan orange-tan orange-tan off-white orange-tan off-white tan orange-tan off-white orange-tan white off-white off-white light blue off-white off-white light blue mint green (trace of mint between layers) mint green off-white red-brown off-white white white light gray white medium gray white white white gray

TABLE IX. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P023, P027 P024 P028 P026, P206

ELEMENT Room 104a, south wall wainscoting, and west wall wainscoting

Room 104a, east partition wall (1909) tongue-and-groove boards

Room 104a, north wall cornice molding

Room 104a, west and north wall plaster

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Plaster

1894 brown olive green tan olive green finish coat pigmented with yellow ocher

1906 light gray light blue-gray light gray (1909) light gray off-white tan

1912-1913 white white off-white orange-tan off-white off-white orange-tan orange-tan off-white/beige white orange-tan orange-tan off-white off-white orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan off-white off-white white white white white off-white off-white off-white white off-white white off-white white

TABLE X. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P038 P039 P041 P212

ELEMENT Room 106, east wall wainscoting

Room 106, north wall plaster

Room 106, D114 surround

Room 107, D114 lower left panel of door

SUBSTRATE Wood Plaster Wood Wood

1894 resinous layer tested positive for shellac finish coat pigmented with olive green olive green

1902 tan

1906 tan off-white light gray

1912-1913 tan off-white light gray-tan yellowish green yellowish green yellowish green off-white orange-tan off-white off-white white orange-tan off-white off-white orange-tan white off-white medium gray orange-tan off-white off-white blue gray white white off-white gray off-white white medium gray mint green mint green mint green medium gray off-white off-white gray off-white off-white off-white blue gray white white beige/peach off-white white off-white beige/off-white

TABLE XI. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P055 P056, P060 P059 P061

ELEMENT Room 109, south wall clapboards (below chair rail level)

Room 109, west and north wall tongue-and-groove boards (below chair rail level)

Room 109, W112 bottom sash

Room 109, W113 window opening surround

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood

1894 unpainted walls open to olive green framing

1906 light gray light gray

1912-1913 light gray-tan cream tan orange-tan tan dark gray gray white white light gray dark gray off-white off-white white green white light green light green off-white light gray light gray light gray off-white white white off-white gray medium gray gray light gray dark gray dark gray dark gray dark gray medium gray medium gray gray gray gray gray

TABLE XII. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P131 P132 P140 P143

ELEMENT Room 201, W201 lintel trim

Room 201, south wall wainscoting

Room 202, D204 architrave

Room 202, west wall plaster

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Plaster

1894 olive green olive green olive green finish coat

1906 light gray light gray light gray tan

1912-1913 light gray-tan light gray-tan light gray-tan yellowish green off-white orange tan white orange-tan off-white white orange-tan off-white off-white white orange-tan off-white off-white orange-tan off-white white white off-white off-white off-white off-white off-white off-white off-white off-white light blue blue light blue blue light blue white light blue light blue light blue light blue-green light blue-green light blue-green white gray gray gray

TABLE XIII. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P155 P152, P153,

P176, P177 P150 P175

ELEMENT Room 205, north wall plaster

Room 205 and Room 206, rafters and ceiling boards

Room 206, south wall wainscoting

Room 206, south wall plaster

SUBSTRATE Plaster Wood Wood Plaster

1894 finish coat pigmented with yellow ocher off-white olive green brown olive green finish coat

1906 light gray light gray tan

1912 off-white/tan tan off-white dark tan orange-tan orange-tan off-white orange tan orange-tan off-white orange tan orange-tan white off-white white white white white white gray off-white white white white light blue white white light blue white

(Room 206 only) gray

TABLE XIV. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P183, P187 P186 P191 P192, P193

ELEMENT Room 301, east and west plaster walls

Room 301, W304 architrave

Room 302, south wall plaster

Room 302, rafters and ceiling boards

SUBSTRATE Plaster Wood Plaster Wood

1894 finish coat pigmented with yellow ocher brown olive green

1906 tan light gray

1912 tan orange-tan off-white orange-tan white orange-tan orange-tan off-white orange-tan white orange-tan off-white white off-white off-white white off-white white light blue blue white light blue

TABLE XV. Interior Elements

SAMPLE P195, P196, P197 P198 P194 P201

ELEMENT Room 401, east wall wainscoting, cornice, soffit

Room 401, W407 lintel trim

Room 401, coffered ceiling panel

Room 401, painted brick chimney (added in 1926)

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Brick

1894 brown

1906 light gray light gray

1912-1913 light gray light gray deep purple deep purple tan tan orange-tan orange-tan tan (orange hue) tan(orange hue) tan (orange hue) tan(orange hue) orange-tan orange-tan tan orange tan orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan light blue orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan white orange-tan white white light blue orange-tan off-white off-white orange-tan white white off-white white light blue light blue off-white light blue white white white

Table XVI. Interior Elements Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch91

Interior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Woodwork including wainscoting, doorway and window opening trim on all stories, as well as ceiling elements on upper stories and all woodwork in Watch Room.

7.5Y 4/4 (olive green)

Interior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Ceiling elements on first story as specified (color matched to “French gray” exterior color that was also specified for the first-story ceilings).

10YR 5/1

(medium gray)

Interior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Plaster (the color approximates the tinted color of the plaster walls; the plaster was not painted during this period).

2.5Y 8/4

91 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color

Table XVII. Interior Elements Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch92

Interior Elements circa 1906 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Woodwork including wainscoting, doorway and window opening trim on all stories, as well as ceiling elements on upper stories and all woodwork in Watch Room.

10Y 7/1 (light gray)

Interior Elements circa 1906 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Ceiling elements on first story as specified (the documents indicated that the walls were painted; the ceilings were probably not painted at that time; color matched to “French gray”).

10YR 5/1

(gray)

Interior Elements circa 1906 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Plaster (first paint application). 2.5Y 8/4

92 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color

Table XVII. Interior Elements Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch93

Interior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Woodwork including wainscoting, doorway and window opening trim on all stories, as well as ceiling elements on upper stories.

Paint evidence suggests that all woodwork in Watch Room remained light gray.

2.5Y 7/2 (light gray-tan)

Interior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch Plaster 2.5Y 8/4

93 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color

Figure 67. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P002 taken from D101 interior trim.

Figure 68. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P006 taken from wainscoting in Staircase Hallway closet/Room 101a.

Figure 69. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P014 taken from Room 102 plaster wall above D110.

Figure 70. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P039 taken from Room 106 north plaster wall.

Paint Sample Locations

Interior Paint Samples

Sample No. Room No. Description P001 Room 101 Lower panel of D101.

P002 Room 101 Molded surround and block of D101 architrave.

P003 Room 101 West wall wainscoting cap.

P004 Room 101 West wall wainscoting.

P005 Room 101 Board wall enclosing closet beneath staircase.

P006 Room 101a West wall wainscoting.

P007 Room 101a West wall baseboard cap.

P008 Room 101a Tongue-and-groove flooring inside closet.

P009 Room 102 South wall baseboard cap.

P010 Room 102 D110 east side of door surround.

P011 Room 102 D109 lower rail.

P012 Room 102 West wall baseboard.

P013 Room 102 North wall, west of D107, baseboard cap.

P014 Room 102 South wall, plaster wall above D110.

P015 Room 102 West wall, cornice molding.

P016 Room 102 Molded frame of ceiling corbel.

P017 Room 102 Wooden ceiling panel.

P018 Room 104 W104, lower sash.

P019 Room 104 W104, window sill.

P020 Room 104 W104, window surround.

P021 Room 104 D111, lower door panel facing into R104.

P022 Room 104a D111, middle panel facing into stairwell, R104a.

P023 Room 104a West wall wainscoting (original to Storm Clothes

Room).

P024 Room 104a East wall tongue-and-groove boards.

P025 Room 104a D111 east door jamb.

P026 Room 104a West wall plaster.

P027 Room 104a South wall wainscoting.

P028 Room 104a North wall cornice trim (visible salmon paint color on cornice and ceiling).

P029 Room 105 W107, lower sash.

P030 Room 105 W107, upper sash.

P031 Room 105 W107, window sill.

P032 Room 105 W107, apron below sill.

P033 Room 105 South wall baseboard.

P034 Room 105 West wall, trim at opening to Room 105a, former pantry.

P035 Room 105 D113, south door surround.

P036 Room 106 D113, threshold.

P037 Room 106 North wall baseboard.

P038 Room 106 East wall wainscoting.

P039 Room 106 North wall plaster.

P040 Room 106 D114 surround at juncture of wall and surround.

Interior Paint Samples Continued

Sample No. Room No. Description P041 Room 106 D114 surround.

P042 Room 106 D103 panel.

P043 Room 106 D114.

P044 Room 106 South wall upper set of pegs.

P045 Room 106 South wall lower set of pegs.

P046 Room 106 South wall molded cornice.

P047 Room 106 Wooden panel of corbelled ceiling.

P048 Room 107 D114 panel.

P049 Room 107 D114 surround.

P050 Room 107 W109 top sash.

P051 Room 107 W109 bottom sash.

P052 Room 107 W109 window surround.

P053 Room 107 W109 window sill.

P054 Room 108 W110 lower sash.

P055 Room 109 South wall clapboards.

P056 Room 109 West wall tongue-and-groove boards.

P057 Room 109 W111 surround.

P058 Room 109 W112 top sash.

P059 Room 109 W112 bottom sash.

P060 Room 109 North wall tongue-and-groove boards.

P061 Room 109 W113 molded surround.

P062 Room 109 W113 interior storm sash.

P063 Room 109 North wall, east post casing.

P064 Room 109 East wall tongue-and-groove boards south of doors.

P065 Room 109 South wall, post.

P066 Room 109 Post in center of room, 2nd from east wall.

P067 Room 109 South wind brace of post 2nd from east wall.

P068 Room 109 Tongue-and-groove board ceiling.

P069 Room 109 East wall tongue-and-groove boards between doors P070 Room 109 South wind brace of post 2nd from east wall, chamfer.

P071 Room 109 Post in center of room, 2nd from east wall, above ceiling.

P072 Room 101 Newel post at bottom of staircase.

P073 Room 101 Newel post at top of first run of stairs.

P074 Room 101 Staircase railing.

P075 Room 101 Staircase stringer at north wall of stair hall.

P076 Room 101 Staircase baluster.

P077 Room 101 Quarter round molding at top of riser, below tread.

P078 Room 101 W101 north window surround (plain board trim).

P079 Room 101 W101 window sill, extends full length of double window.

P080 Room 101 W101 apron below window sill.

P081 Room 101 W101 lower sash of north window.

P082 Room 101 Staircase riser.

P083 Room 101 Staircase tread.

Exterior Paint Samples

Sample No. Elevation Description P084 South, tower D101 panel.

P085 South, tower D101 surround.

P086 South, tower D101 threshold.

P087 East Northeast half-post of east porch.

P088 East W102 surround.

P089 South, tower Interior verge board of east porch roof.

P090 East East porch rafter.

P091 East East porch tongue-and–groove ceiling boards.

P092 South W105 surround.

P093 South W106 surround and jamb.

P094 South W106 sash (single sash window).

P095 South W107 surround.

P096 South W107 lower sash.

P097 South Cyma recta horizontal molding/belt course.

P098 South W206 window sill P099 West Exterior cornice of enclosed porch.

P100 West W109 surround.

P101 West W109 window sill.

P102 West W110 window surround.

P103 West W111 window surround.

P104 West W112 lower sash.

P105 West W109 lower sash.

P106 West W109 window jamb.

P107 North W114 awning sash.

P108 North W114 window surround.

P109 North Cyma recta horizontal molding/belt course.

P110 East Rafter of shed roof covering boat room doorways.

P111 East D105 lintel.

P112 East Molded cornice above doorways, below shed roof.

P113 West Enclosed porch rafter.

P114 West Enclosed porch tongue-and-groove ceiling board.

P115 West Enclosed porch west beam casing.

P116 West D103 surround.

P117 West Shingles protected by enclosed porch.

P118 West D103 panel.

P119 West Southeast post of enclosed porch, west wall of building.

P120 West Enclosed porch tongue-and-groove floor board.

P121 West Enclosed porch, beveled molding at base of west wall of building.

Exterior Paint Samples Continued

Sample No. Elevation Description P122 West D103 molded trim around door panel P123 East D102 south doorway jamb P124 South Belt course at second story P125 East W102 north window opening surround P126 West W207 & 208 north board of window opening surround P127 East D106 lintel trim P128 East D105 & 106 lower fascia above doorways P129 East D105 & 106 upper fascia at cornice above doorways P130 North W115 Boat Room sash and hinge

Sample No. Room No. Description P131 R201 W202 lintel trim P132 R201 South wall wainscoting P133 R201 South wall wainscoting cap P134 R201 West wall wainscoting in staircase from first story P135 R201 Wainscoting cap in staircase to third story P136 R201 D201 south surround P137 R201 D201 top rail P138 R201 Staircase riser to third floor P139 R201 Staircase header below third story floor P140 R202 D204 lintel trim P141 R202 W203 east trim of window opening P142 R202 North wall at…