Conservator Gianfranco Pocobene works on a paint restoration project at Boston’s Old North Church. (Photo courtesy WGBH)
STONEHAM — Stoneham Historical Society and Museum (SHSM) Treasurer Bee Russo is thrilled to share that the world-renowned conservator Gianfranco Pocobene, who restored the historic mural “Stoneham, Yesterday and Today,” recently uncovered 18th-century cherubs at Old North Church.
In September 2023, Gianfranco Pocobene Studio began the conservation of the historic “Stoneham, Yesterday and Today” mural. The mural was painted by World War II combat artist Richard Gibney, and was unveiled at the Main Street branch of Middlesex County National Bank, later Bank of America, in 1968. It was a familiar sight to banking customers for more than 50 years.
The SHSM secured ownership of the mural ahead of the sale of the Main Street Bank of America branch, and Gianfranco Pocobene Studio removed the mural in January 2022. At that time, it was placed in climate-controlled storage until a reinstallation location could be identified and funds could be raised to start the project.
After exploring multiple options, it was determined the restored mural would be reinstalled at the SHSM, located at 36 William St. in Stoneham, in early 2024. The mural was removed from storage in February 2023 and moved to Pocobene Studio.
Pocobene is now the lead paint conservator of this once-in-a-lifetime paint restoration project at Boston’s Old North Church, which was built in 1723. His team, including Corrine Long (who also worked on the SHSM mural), are removing layers of white overpaint covering 16 angels in the balcony arches that were painted in the late 1720s and 1730s by congregation member John Gibbs.
This project is anticipated to be completed by April 2025 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
“We were so fortunate to have someone as well-known and with the skillset and expertise of Gianfranco Pocobene working with our Stoneham Historical Society to conserve and restore our ‘Stoneham, Yesterday and Today’ mural,” Treasurer Russo said. “Gianfranco is now receiving recognition for his outstanding work at the Old North Church in Boston, and we are incredibly proud to have worked with him in Stoneham.”
For more information on the Old North Church restoration project, visit: https://www.oldnorth.com/preservation.