The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Announces Plans for Landmark Conservation Project at Event in New York

    NEW YORK, NY, April 12, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Plans will be announced in the United States this May for a major conservation project in London to restore the famous Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) in Greenwich, the twin-domed Baroque masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren and commissioned in 1694.

N.Y. EVENT 5/14: The restoration plan for this iconic landmark, the birthplace of Henry VIII and part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, will be unveiled at an event in New York City on May 14th, 2015, hosted by the British Consulate at the British Residence.

BACKGROUND: The challenge is big. Even as the Old Royal Naval College was granted more than $4 million (GBP2.77 million) in a pledge last November from the U.K.'s Heritage Lottery Fund, the ORNC says it will need as much as $6 million more for the second phase of its "plans to restore the Painted Hall to its former glory."

The conservation will clean and restore 40,000 square feet of the The Painted Hall, arguably the greatest piece of decorative painting in England and often described as "the Sistine Chapel of the U.K." The Painted Hall was created between 1708 and 1727 by Sir James Thornhill; its spectacular ceiling depicts the founders of the building's original use -- the Royal Hospital for Seamen, built by King William III and Queen Mary II -- as it pays tribute to British maritime power, travel and discovery in the era.

From the Old Royal Naval College:

The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich announces plans for landmark conservation project at event in New York

• The British Consulate General in New York hosts an event on 14th May 2015 for The Old Royal Naval College, in Greenwich, U.K., to announce their conservation plans for The Painted Hall.

• Created between 1708 and 1727, Sir James Thornhil's 'Painted Hall' is a highlight of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.

• The first phase of the conservation project has been completed with 560 square metres of paintings restored to dramatic effect.

• The second phase of conservation aims to conserve the remaining 3,700 square metres of the Hall.

• For further information please call (914) 462-2096 (U.S.) or +44 (0)20 7221 7883 (U.K.)

Plans for a major conservation project to restore the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) in Greenwich, UK, will be announced in the US at an event on 14th May 2015 hosted by the British Consulate General in New York.

The ORNC, Sir Christopher Wren's twin-domed riverside masterpiece stands on the site of the Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII's birthplace and favourite royal residence. It is one of the most important ensembles in European baroque architecture.

Following a GBP2.77 million pledge in November 2014 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the ORNC are embarking on the second stage of its plans to restore the Painted Hall to its former glory. A further GBP4 million is required to achieve the full scale of this landmark project.

In 2013 the first phase of the conservation project saw 560 square meters of paintings in the Upper Hall cleaned and restored to their original beauty. The second phase aims to conserve the remaining 3,700 square meters of wall paintings. The project will focus on the Lower Hall, with its spectacular ceiling depicting the founders of the Royal Hospital for Seamen - King William III and Queen Mary II.

The scheme will also focus on redesigning the space within the Hall, improving visitor engagement activities and creating a new visitor entrance and welcome area.

For further information please contact Fiona Russell or Tori Dance at [email protected] or on +44 (0)207221 7883.

Notes to editors:

In the United States contact C.C. Sullivan:
Chris Sullivan [email protected]
(914) 462-2096

In the U.K. contact Kallaway:
Fiona Russell [email protected]
Tori Dance [email protected]
+44 (0)207221 7883

About the Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) in Greenwich was established as the Royal Hospital for Seamen by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1694. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it is one of the most important ensembles in European baroque architecture. From 1705, the Royal Hospital provided modest, wood-lined cabins as accommodation for retired sailors, housing as many as 2,700 residents at its peak in 1814. The last naval pensioners left in 1869, when the site became home to the Royal Naval College, an officers' training academy, until 1997. When the Navy left, an independent charity was established to conserve the site for present and future generations, and create enjoyment, learning and unique cultural experiences for everyone.

Today this historic landmark is open to the public and is the home of three unique and free to visit attractions; the Painted Hall, the Chapel, and the Discover Greenwich visitor centre.

The Painted Hall is the greatest piece of decorative painting in England and has been described as 'the Sistine Chapel of the UK'. The walls and ceilings were painted by Sir James Thornhill between 1708 and 1727.

The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul is a neo-classical masterpiece by James 'Athenian' Stuart and William Newton. Featuring a Samuel Green organ and an altarpiece painted by Benjamin West, it is one of the finest eighteenth century interiors in existence.

The ORNC is free to all visitors and is open daily from 10.00am - 5:00pm (17:00).
http://www.ornc.org/

# # #