Laurel Historical Society to share Hitchens Homestead research Sept. 29

Laurel Historical Society will present the Great Reveal at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, on the lawn at Hitchens Homestead. The homestead and outbuildings will be open to tour from 3 to 5 p.m. with docents available.

As part of the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Hitchens Homestead and its outbuildings, the society has undertaken research to determine the original architecture and decoration of the homestead and outbuildings, and has focused on the original interior and exterior paint colors.

An expert in historic paint analysis, Catherine Adams Masek, is leading LHS in that effort. Masek comes to Laurel with an impressive record of accomplishment in Kent and Sussex counties, including work on the Indian River Lifesaving Station, Rose Cottage in Dover and the Parson Thorne Mansion in Milford.

By means of chromochronology, a method of historic paint analysis, Masek has determined the original colors of the house and outbuildings, as well as how those colors were changed over the years.

Masek will discuss her findings in this free public presentation. Hitchens Homestead is at 205 Willow St., Laurel. Attendees are asked to bring a chair, or borrow one from the society, for the presentation on the the homestead lawn.

For more information, go to www.laureldehistoricalsociety.org.