A Visit to Blackburn Conservation Studio
Friday, September 26, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Middleboro, MA

Please note this event is limited to 1790 Society and Fix Wicks Legacy Donors.

Step into the world of historic preservation and artistic innovation with this special 1790 Society event with the Falmouth Historical Society at the Blackburn Conservation Studio, the renowned workshop of third-generation wallpaper conservator Walter Eayrs. Known for his work on some of the Northeast’s most iconic historic sites—including Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and Boston’s Old South Meeting House—Eayrs most recently led the restoration of the stunning early 19th-century wallpaper at our very own Dr. Francis Wicks House. Printed in France circa 1802–1803 by Joseph Dufour, this rare wallpaper introduced a revolutionary concept: continuous scenic landscapes in decorative interiors. The neoclassical scenes, influenced by Versailles’ Trianon and the Chinese-style gardens of Bagatelle, feature fashionably dressed figures of the Directoire period and set a precedent for the panoramic wallpapers that followed.

Our visit includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the conservation studio, a short walking tour of the idyllic Titicut Green Village, and a sparkling reception back at the studio. The Eayrs family home, once part of the estate of 19th-century portraitist Cephas Thompson (whose works are housed at the Met, Boston Atheneum, and Colonial Williamsburg), is now home to an impressive collection of American antiques collected by the Eayrs family.

This exclusive event is open only to members of the 1790 Society Members and Fix Wicks Legacy Donors and space is limited. Admission is by voluntary donation, with proceeds supporting our Fix the Wicks Campaign to restore the c. 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House Museum. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to celebrate the artistry that helps preserve our past. RSVP required to Executive Director, Rachel Lovett, Rachel@museumsonthegreen.org