The PBS program “Uncovered in the Archives” Producer called me a month or so ago all excited about something he considered to be super-interesting and important to report on: he heard there was a collection of 19thcentury paintings of the 21 missions of California by the early California artist Henry Chapman Ford that had almost been destroyed several times and were of National Treasure type of importance. He asked me if I knew anything about them.
(The 27 minute TV program video is at the end of this article.)
Left: Scott M. Haskins, Head of Conservation at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories; Dani Trynoski, Director of Marketing Mission Inn Foundation; Brad Pomerance Host and Co-Producer of PBS program “Uncovered in the Archives”
Well, as a matter of fact, I do! The very pleasant fellow and Host, Brad Pomerance invited me, unrushed and in every detail, to tell the story as I knew it of their saving, preservation and restoration… and he took copious notes. While the 36 paintings that make up Henry Chapman Ford’s series of all the 21 Franciscan missions of California are valued at several $10,000’s each one, their value in our society and even our country go far beyond their monetary considerations. They not only represent a major part of our State and Country’s heritage but were a major turning point and inspiration in architectural design and cultural identity. In their day, they pioneered the spread of the romantic Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival styles that became so popular.
San Diego de Acala by Henry Chapman Ford 1883 before restoration (actually this painting was “restored 3 times previously!)
He was enthralled with my explanation and stories of how they were damaged by leaks and floods, bugs, bird poop, high temperatures, bad storage and horribly rough handling, rips, holes, filth. They looked so bad they were thrown away TWICE (and dug out of the trash)!! At another time of risk to their preservation, they were snuck off and hid away to save them from being sold off by unscrupulous building contractors, how we dug them out of Pigeon Row in the vacant Historic Mission Inn, retrieved them secretly from storage facilities during a bankruptcy and, even though several were brought back all the way from extinction, all were brought back to stable, glorious “museum quality” condition.
Fast forward to the KVCR TV “filming” crew sequestering the location of the Mission Inn Museum in Riverside, CA with the total enthusiastic cooperation of the Mission Inn Foundation, Gina Cavallo Collins, the Mission Inn Foundation’s Executive Director, Karen Raines Collections Manager and Historian, Danielle Trynoski, Director of Marketing, Media and PR. See the entire PBS episode at the end of this article.
Karen Raines, Mission Inn Foundation interviewed by Brad Pomerance, PBS
Of course, The Friends of the Mission Inn were all too happy to enjoy the well deserved recognition for their history and art saving efforts decades ago with the story telling powers of several “old timers” who were there when it happened.
And Scott M. Haskins, Head of Conservation from Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, dedicated the entire day of shooting to consult and be interviewed for FACL’s role in doing the fine art conservation treatments.
Before and After Professional Painting Conservation Santa Cruz Mission
Brad Pomerance Host and CJ Eastman, Co-Executive Producers at KVCR TV choreographed the production circus as a very professional and able team of 7 managed lights, cameras and action to make the 30 minute program. In addition to these professionals, Kimberley Garcia Make up Artist from All Around Glam kept everyone looking their best for the camera.
Here is a short video clip of the program shooting process (full video of entire program is at end of this blog post).
PBS program “Uncovered in the Archives” tells the incredible story of extremely important historic oil paintings of old Spanish missions of California that survived against horrific odds and their preservation and painting restoration, featuring Scott M. Haskins Fine Art Conservator. This educational PBS program by Affiliate KVCR TV was shot on site at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, California. The program aired on PBS affiliate KVCR TV.
This is the 27 minute PBS TV program…
For more on the great historical importance of the early paintings of the missions of CA, CLICK HERE https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/19th-century-paintings-of-the-santa-barbara-mission-changed-our-history-and-our-communities/
Brad Pomerance Host/Co-Executive Producer
CJ Eastman
310-266-4437
brad@bigmistproductions.com
Sharla Wright
6579 Lassen Ct.
Riverside, CA 92506
760-576-8619
sharlawright@att.net
Danielle Trynoski, Director of Marketing, Media and PR
3696 Main St.
Riverside, CA 92501
951-781-8242
Scott M. Haskins, Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, Head of Conservation
Fine Art Conservation Laboratories
805 564 3438
faclartdoc@gmail.com
Kimberley Garcia Make up Artist
323 365 5196
Scott’s participation on this PBS shoot was fantastic and much appreciated. He was, indeed, a true professional.
Scott Haskins is one of the finest people I know. It doesn’t surprise me that he would be such an important asset for the Friends of the Mission Inn and the Foundation.
I’ve worked as a “hired gun,” as Scott calls me, to help out on large projects with FACL and I can attest that this art conservation company as a whole and Scott Haskins as a professional are top drawer quality people and quality of work. If you work with them, you’ll love them.
Great technical expertise and team spirit shape a wonderful and friendly working work place ☺… Sempre a divertirvi voi! Ciao a tutti!
Back in the 1980s I was a part of this challenging project.It makes me proud to be part of FACL’s associates.Thanks Scott for the invaluable work you are still doing after all these years.
Good to hear from you Fred. I hope all is well with you! Thanks for the nice comment.
Fantastic Scott,Thank you very much for all your efforts to “put up” with the shoot, etc. I know it’s a lot of standing around and waiting.
Obviously Betsy, you know you have a great, fun crew. Thanks for making me part of it.
Since I heard about the shoot, I’ve been looking forward to this program airing, Scott! Great job by both you and KVCR!
Yayyy!! Scott Haskins, Star of the Show!! Here he comes to save the day (painting-wise)!!!
LOL, thanks Beth!
There is certainly a great story here for a wonderful meeting talk. Do you offer speaker services?
Yes, James, I speak often to organizations like small historical societies, museum docent groups, collector/benefactor groups for foundations. Here’s an example:https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/consulation/wright-thurstons-international-power-summit/
Watched it first thing this morning. Very well done! You presented very well and the story is intriguing. The historical movement and decay of the paintings was disheartening at best, but the saving work which you and your company provided was near miraculous