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Imperial Monterey Collection for the Crater Lake Science and Learning Center at Crater Lake National Park

MPFC was privileged to conserve and restore an entire collection comprising three dozen pieces of original Imperial Monterey Furniture which was purchased in the early 1930'sfor the original Superintendent's House of Crater Lake National Park, shown right in its original state.

The Imperial Monterey furniture line was made in Los Angeles, California; the superintendent bought his from Montgomery Ward in Portland, Oregon. The line was typically made of Oregon alder and characterized by heavy iron strapping, with a finish of ash-grain filler and dark stain.

The furniture had been in storage for many years, and was again be put to use in the Superintendent's home, but this time for visiting scientists who came to use the home in its new life as the Crater Lake Science and Learning Center.

The frames were repaired utilizing appropriate conservation and age-related techniques; in most cases the stuffings were beyond cleaning and reutilization. New cushions cores were constructed and historically accurate covers were tailored.

New leather upholstery was placed on the pieces in order to be more durable, and while not original to these pieces, was in keeping with the tradition.

Prior to our involvement the original hemp rope was discarded; unfortunately, MPFC did not know this until close to delivery. We made do with jute rope for the opening, and hope to be able to change the rope on the project in the future.

Unlike museum pieces, these pieces are to be used in a low-traffic setting in the Center. Because of these parameters, this is not a strict conservation project. The new upholstery and new strappings, and the creation of new cushions, were all restorative. MPFC had to create a modification on the sofa due to a previous break, in order to render it viable for further use. Also, we chose to use leather which was not original to these pieces, but was used in Monterey Furniture, and, for the NPS's use, a very durable material was needed for daily use.

The NPS allows us to share treatment reports with the public. If you would like to copy or print them, contact MPFC for permission.

For before and after images and information on our participation in the Period-Appropriate Design of the interior of the Science and Learning Center, click here.

For more information about Crater Lake National Park visit the NPS site; for more information on Monterey Furniture visit our page on Mason Monterey furniture from the Oregon Caves NM.

 

Imperial Monterey Sofa

This sofa has a hinged side table and wide panel arms! There were two breaks, a compromised back, and missing cushions. The last upholstery was a gray mohair, and we could see all the upholstery fabrics going back to the original, shown top right. The finish was severely compromised, and it had an inappropriate application of an oil-based stain applied, undermining the historical finish. The oily stain was removed prior to proper treatment.
RESUME FOR THE IMPERIAL MONTEREY SOFA

 

Imperial Monterey Wingback Chair

The finish was severely compromised, inappropraite handling and stacking crushed deep gouges in the arms, and inappropriate applications of an oil-based stain were applied, undermining the historical finish. The original upholstery was hidden under several layers of re upholstery, shown above in the second image of the sofa, above.

 

Imperial Monterey Long Bench

The Imperial Long Bench had a rope structure to hold the cushion. The original cushion had several old upholstery fabrics going back to the original, shown top left.

 

Imperial Monterey Buffet

The buffet was a magnificent piece, and was in poor condition.
The back and drawers were broken in several places.
The top and sides had many deep gouges and dings.
It had unusual features, like a hidden pop-up prohibition bar
that is accessed through the top drawer!

 

Imperial Monterey Dining
Table + Benches

The table had problems with the
mechanical attachments for its expansion capabilities, and the finish was in poor condition. The matching benches had a similarly degraded finish.

 

Imperial Monterey Strapping Armchair + Five Imperial Monterey Strapping Chairs

The finish was severely compromised, and had inappropriate applications of an
oil-based stain applied, undermining the historical finish. The original strapping was disintegrating on all chairs.

 

Imperial Monterey Corner Hutch

The corner hutch was in good structural
condition, but had finish problems.

 

Two Upholstered Imperial Monterey Chairs

The size of these two chairs was more generous, and so
they seem to be chairs to sit on in a living room rather
than a dining room. The finish was severely compromised,
and had some inappropriate applications of an oil-based
stain applied, undermining the historical finish. The original upholstery was hidden under several layers of reupholstery.

 

Imperial Monterey Tilt-top Table

The piece was in good condition,
though the finish was in poor condition and needed protection
and hinges needed to be stabilized.
It had a locking tilt-top!

 

Imperial Monterey Side Table

This was a side table with no drawer. The joinery
was stable, but the finish was compromised, including splinters and pigment losses. An inappropriate
oil-based stain was previously applied,
undermining the historical finish.
This had to be removed prior to treatment.

 

Imperial Monterey Vanity Bench

The small vanity bench is constructed much like the dining chairs, which became part of the library. Finish was compromised; the upholstery was the second generation.

 

Two Imperial Monterey Library Tables

These table's had several gouges and splinters, the finish was severely compromise. Inappropriate applications of an oil-based stain were previously
applied, undermining the historical finish. This had to be removed prior to treatment.

 

Three Imperial Monterey Dining Chairs

The finish was severely compromised. Inappropriate applications of an oil-based
stain were previouslyapplied, undermining the historical finish. This was removed prior to conservation of the original finish sitting underneath. The upholstery appears to be from the 1960's, and was not found on any of the other upholstered items.

 

Imperial Monterey Desk

The desk has small ball feet, which was only found in one other item, the side drawers below. Finish was compromised. Inappropriate applications of an oil-based stain were previously applied, undermining the historical finish. This was removed prior to conservation of the original finish sitting underneath.

 

Imperial Monterey Chest of Drawers

The chest of drawers has small ball feet, which was only found in one other item, the desk above. Finish was compromised.

 

Two Imperial Monterey Side Tables

 

Three Imperial Monterey Mirrors

The mirrors were in good condition, though the finish needed treatment. Fortunately, the rope used to hang the mirror had not been discarded, and was in good condition, so it was to be used again.

 

Imperial Monterey Short Chest of Drawers

Finish is compromised; losses on top as can be seen in the top photo.

 

Imperial Monterey Tall Chest of Drawers

Finish is compromised; losses are extensive.

 

• Painted Primitive Wood Box is included here because it is part of the Superintendent's collection. It is not Monterey furniture. for more information go to our Painted Polychrome Lacquer page.
• CCC Leather Carved Bench is also part of the Crater Lake collection, but not Monterey furniture. Go to our page on Upholstered Objects to view more.
• For information on the Mason Monterey line used at Oregon Caves National Monument, see our page on the two dozen pieces restored for the Chateau, shown left.