Plastering

One afternoon, when the painters were stripping the wallpaper upstairs, I received a tap on the shoulder with a request to see something they had discovered.  By this point, thankfully, I had gained the good sense to know I should always see these kinds of things.  

 

There on the wall was not only the initials of the workmen that had done the original plaster work, but also the date: April 2, 1930.  After having the painters go around the initials and date, I actually had it framed.  My favorite part about it – other than its valuable connection to the house’s origin – is its slight resemblance to the work of noted American artist Cy Twombly.  Though he would only have been 2 years old as the house was being built, it is interesting to note that the renowned painter, sculptor, and photographer was born – and always lived for part of the year – just a few miles down the road, in Lexington, Virginia.