The Overfield Tavern Museum is in the middle of a multiphase restoration project and we need your input!
Some of the original wood siding can still be seen on the 1803 portion of the building.
After replacing and repairing a significant number of deteriorated old-growth logs on the south elevation (facing Water Street) in 2022, we are now preparing to reinstall wood siding on the exterior of the building with the generous support of The Troy Foundation and others. The siding is historically accurate and will serve two purposes: it will protect the 215-year-old logs and new daubing from further deterioration from exposure to the elements, and it will return the tavern to a closer approximation of its historic appearance. In fact, remnants of the original wood clapboard siding can still be seen on a small portion of the building covered by a later addition (see photo on the left).
A significant amount of research went into determining the best color scheme for the exterior paint job. We present to the community two potential color schemes. Please select the color scheme that you prefer. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the poll.) The community’s input will be considered in the final selection.
Color Scheme #1 consists of wood siding painted in yellow ochre with trim painted black and white. Ochres are pigments made from natural clays that vary in color from red to yellow to brown. Yellow ochre was the third most common exterior house color after whitewash and red ochre in the early 19th century. Black pigments were often made from lamp black or charcoal.
Color Scheme #2 consists of wood siding painted with red ochre, better known as “Spanish brown” in the early nineteenth century, with yellow ochre trim. Red ochre was the second most common exterior house color after whitewash. This is the color the west elevation of the museum was painted between 2000 and 2021 (the south elevation was white).
