In September 2018, Hurricane Florence brought severe hurricane conditions to this area. There was considerable damage and loss but one incident at Tryon Palace was rather fascinating, almost bizarre. Prior to the storm, staff worked to prepare the buildings and the artifacts for the worst. Artifacts inside buildings were secured from wind and rain and outside shutters were closed over windows and latched.
Sometime during the storm, at the John Wright Stanly house, a shutter was torn open, a windowpane broken and the late 18th century glass chandelier hanging in the middle of the room was damaged. Two large pieces of the middle of the shaft where the arms connect were found broken off and laying on the floor beneath. Conservator Richard Baker could tell right away that the damage was done by an object striking the surface of the glass. While completing initial investigations the floor was inspected for anything that could be found. This was done primarily to collect all glass shards that fell from the chandelier, no matter the size. Other things were on the floor as well including small leaves, very small twigs and an acorn. This acorn became a possible suspect for causing the damage. Later in the conservation lab, while piecing the chandelier back together, a small impact area was found that was just the right size for an acorn to make. It was concluded that the chandelier was broken by a single acorn flying into the room after wind had already torn the shutter and broken the window glass.
Repairs were made to the glass using a conservation adhesive that requires two weeks to bond and dry. The entire chandelier was then cleaned and rehung in the Stanly parlor. It continues to provide light for visitors daily.
Tryon Palace • 529 South Front Street • New Bern, NC 28562 • 252-639-3500 • www.tryonpalace.org