PROJECT DETAILS

John Canning & Co. was repeatedly chosen over a period of years and project phases to provide our expertise in analysis, interpretation, and implementation of historic conservation and restoration services in multiple public areas of the McKim building at Boston Public Library.

Bates Hall, Sargent Gallery, Elliot Room, Abbey Room, 18th Century French Room, and the entrance hall – each of these areas presented unique challenges owing to the creativity of artists. Charles McKim brought in some of the most talented artists & muralist of the day including Edward Austin Abbey, John Singer Sargent, Elmer Garnsey, and Puvis de Chevannes, among others, for their innovative use of materials in their decoration schemes. All of these artists were American except for Puvis de Chevannes who was French.