communiqué Winter 2012/2013
Photos of Brand Library handpainted ceilings revealed during renovation! Near Right: Cupid in the reference area Far right: Exotic bird in the dining room
Right: Huge beehive being removed from the the mansion’s cornice
News on the Brand Library Renovation Work is buzzing in more ways than one.
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By Carolyn Flemming
hat a wonderful adventure it has been to be part of the remodeling project at the Brand Library and Art Center! From the exterior activity is hard to detect, but the project is progressing steadily. Asbestos and lead removal and seismic bolting are completed. The new heating, ventilation and air conditioning units have been installed; a new roof is almost completed and new plumbing and electrical lines have been laid.
The Author: Carolyn Flemming is Facilities and Building Projects Administrator for Glendale Library, Arts, and Culture
As is true of renovating any older building, there have been surprises. The first was the extent to which honey bees had taken up residence in the cornice of the mansion tower. Work in that area had to be postponed until three enormous hives could be moved. Can you imagine a private label “El Miradero” honey? Sadly, the honey went with the bees. When the wall coverings were removed in the mansion it was shocking to see how loosely the building had been held together. The walls were often just a series of well-placed rocks that were stacked, lightly grouted and plastered. Ironically, instead of being destroyed by the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Brand mansion, built in 1903, fared better than the 1969 addition. The best surprise of all was revealed under the mansion ceiling. Resting faded and fragile beneath the “popcorn” and chicken wire mesh were original handpainted ceilings. The plaster layer on which they were painted was so thin and compromised by age and conditions that it is impossible to preserve them in place. But they have been thoroughly documented and better yet, several samples were carefully removed and set aside. Our hope is to preserve and frame some for display in the mansion when it re-opens. As those of you who have been through home remodeling work will understand, the project completion date is not yet confirmed but targeted for early 2014. We will keep you posted with an update in the next newsletter and information can also be found at brandlibrary.org/BrandLibraryRenovation.asp F