News Release
For Immediate Release —Septmeber 22, 2008
Ames Plantation Restoration Project Gets Recognition from Nationally Renowned Artist and Historian
(Grand Junction, TN) - A preservation project taking place at Ames Plantation is now receiving support from nationally known decorator and historian, Polly Forcier of MB Historic Décor. Forcier will visit Ames Plantation October 10-11, 2008 to examine restoration of the Stencil House and offer educational sessions on 19th century home decor during the 11th annual Heritage Festival.
The Stencil House is rich in history and a fascinating example of 19th century architecture. Built in Tennessee in the 1830s, its name stems from the elaborate stencil designs covering the home’s walls. According to historians, this unique decoration was quite popular in the 1800s for families who could not afford wallpaper.
“It’s an important artifact that we have largely lost,” says Forcier. “There were many, many more houses stenciled than we can even imagine today. It was a very common thing to decorate walls with stencils.”
The Stencil House is one of the oldest surviving displays of stenciling in the South. It contains the designs of popular 19th century artist, Moses Eaton. Although the Smithsonian attempted to purchase the home in the 1970’s, the homeowner at that time turned them down. Later, concerned preservationists moved the entire house to Ames Plantation in 2002. There it is undergoing a complete restoration.
During her visit, stencil expert Forcier will explore the house. She will also perform stencil demonstrations at the Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 11th. Forcier’s work has been featured in national venues, including Bob Vila, Colonial Homes magazineand Antiques Magazine.
The Heritage Festival begins at 9 a.m. at the University of Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center at Ames Plantation. Visitors will be able to view the interior of the Stencil House. Admission is $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for ages 5-16 and free for children ages four and under. Visitors should enter Ames Plantation on Buford Ellington Road from Tennessee Highway 18, and follow signs to free parking and shuttle service to the event site.
Ames Plantation is privately owned and operated by Successor Trustees of the Hobart Ames Foundation through the Will of the late Julia Colony Ames. The Ames Plantation’s 18,400 acres are made available to UT AgResearch as one of the university’s system of ten AgResearch and Education Centers operated as part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. In addition to its agricultural research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.
For more information about the Heritage Festival and Antique Auction and Ames Plantation, visit the Web site: http://www.amespl antation.org/ or call 901-878-1067.
###
Contact: Ginger Trice, UTIA Marketing and Communications, 731-425-4768