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Types of Paint Utilized in Historic Civic Buildings

Historically, a building was constructed for a definitive purpose, and very often, that purpose was expressed in the design of the construction. Therefore, the building did not solely function as a shelter from the natural elements, but was intended to impress upon those working or visiting the importance and meaning of a place. Thus, churches are just as much a space for worship as a monument to faith. Civic buildings similarly provide the space for government decisions and discussion, as well as intend to visually represent the ideals of the government. This can be achieved through a variety of architectural styles and more precisely with symbolism.

Civic buildings in America are often designed to reflect the stoic ideals of the American founding, rooted in antiquity. While Greek Democracy, the Roman Republic, and the British Parliamentary System may have laid the major groundwork for the American Constitution, this history of governance is visually represented through architecture as well. Architecture is a very powerful and successful way to connect the past and the present, creating an unbroken lineage of thought and precedence for the actions of the modern generation.

Although not universally the case, many examples of this architectural phenomenon may be clearly studied in Washington, DC, as well as state capital buildings and courthouses across the country, since a great number of the civic buildings have drawn from the classical orders to connect the foundation of American government with antiquity. Interior decoration completes the architecture, drawing from classical motifs and patterns to ornament with paint and plaster.

Waterbury City Hall after Canning restored the historic decorative paint and plaster.

Waterbury City Hall in Waterbury, Connecticut, designed by Cass Gilbert, beautifully illustrates the use of classical orders applied to the construction of civic buildings to offer the appearance of strength and stability in local government. The architecture and decoration are beautifully harmonized within a balanced color palette. This style of architecture and decoration will likely be familiar to most individuals across the country.

However, civic buildings in America, though heavily constructed in the classical, Georgian, and federal styles, are not limited to this architectural format. The Connecticut State Capitol is a beautiful representation of a Gothic Revival building with interior decoration of the Aesthetic period and heavily influenced by Eastern and Japanese art. The interior of the Connecticut State Capitol was designed and executed by William McPherson, a Scottish immigrant based in Boston, MA.

Connecticut State Capitol after restoration. Canning performed a comprehensive restoration of Aesthetic period decoration.

In this way, civic buildings are specific to the age and location where they are constructed. The local trades, industry, farming, culture, and so on will impact the expression conveyed through the art and architecture. So while at first there appears to be some uniformity to the mode of designing civic buildings in America, at Canning, we have found that every state capital, courthouse, or civic building we have had the pleasure to work in expresses the pride and beauty of that state in a very unique manner. Owen Jones’s second proposition beautifully surmises this architectural reality: Architecture is the material expression of the wants, the faculties, and the sentiments of the age in which it is created. Style in Architecture is the peculiar form that expression takes under the influence of climate and materials at hand. Civic buildings are not bound to a single architectural style, type of paint, or manner of decoration. These buildings are expressions of the time of construction and should honor the creativity of the local area.

Canning C

June 04, 2025

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