Welcome
The Center for Painted Wall Preservation (CPWP) is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the research and preservation of eighteenth and early nineteenth century paint-decorated plaster walls.
​
Our goal is to survey and document painted and stenciled walls, in situ or in collections; further the appreciation of this rare and vulnerable art form; and serve as a resource for the conservation and preservation of painted plaster walls for future generations. The walls we study include those painted by some of America’s most significant early folk artists, such as Rufus Porter, Jonathan D. Poor, and Moses Eaton.
​
Painted walls — which include murals, freehand brushwork, and stenciled plaster walls— are vulnerable to destruction and loss. We will lose these irreplaceable historical records unless we preserve these critical documents of our past. Help us protect this important part of our heritage by supporting the CPWP.
​
Thank you for your support.
Presenting
The Center for Painted Walls
Monthly 100-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Challenge yourself with images from our archives!
For January 2026:
Cleveland House, Naples, New York, by Stephen Clark
Presenting The Center for Painted Walls Puzzle Archive
Click on the links below to download the archives.
Sign up to receive updates and
Plaster Bits
the CPWP digital newsletter.
News
A Happy Ending
OUR FUNDRAISER WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HELPED
​
On October 4th, the drawing was held at the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton, Maine, for the beautiful 10th Anniversary Quilt, created by CPWP board member and co-founder Linda Lefko. We extend our thanks to Executive Director Dan Dinsmore and his team for their invaluable assistance in bringing this project to fruition. With their help, every available ticket was sold by the time the drawing took place! The winning ticket was purchased by a Bridgton-area resident who is delighted to have acquired such a remarkable work of art. Thanks to all who were involved in the creation and facilitation of the raffle — especially to all of you who purchased tickets in support of this effort. Proceeds from the raffle will help fund Phase 2 of CPWP’s project to expand the Immersive Tours section of our new online Virtual Museum, which was launched on our website at the end of 2024.
AN INVITATION
​
CPWP IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
THE 2026
CENTER FOR PAINTED WALL PRESERVATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Center for Painted Wall Preservation (pwpcenter.org) invites undergraduate and graduate students, independent scholars, and artisans, whether established or in training, to apply for this scholarship, which aims to develop educational projects that further our mission through documentation, conservation, and preservation — where art, history, craft, and science meet.
​
Applications are accepted beginning January 1, 2026, through midnight April 30, 2026. This year’s Scholarship of $2000 will be awarded to the individual whose proposal for an educational, scholarly project is deemed best designed to further the stated mission of our organization — to further the study, understanding, and appreciation of paint-decorated plaster walls and associated interior colorized items of the 18th and early 19th centuries in New England and New York, and to educate the public about this unique and vulnerable cultural heritage.
Interested parties may apply for an Application Process Summary and Application Form by contacting info@pwpcenter.org with Scholarship Fund in the subject line.
From the Scholarship Committee,
The Center for Painted Wall Preservation –
A nationally recognized 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
The Center for Painted Wall Preservation is proud to support, by membership in, the following mission-aligned organizations.
