PPG Helps Refresh Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

The PPG PITTSBURGH PAINTS brand, Color Haven Paint & Supply and local community members have teamed up to bring a fresh coat of paint to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont, Ohio, which comprises the home, library, museum, tomb and 25-acre estate of 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America’s first presidential library and is celebrating its centennial this year.

As part of the PPG Pittsburgh Paints brand’s PAINT FOR A CHANGE community outreach initiative, more than 100 gallons of premium PPG Pittsburgh Paints REGENCY Paint+Primer-In-One interior paint was donated for the project. The colors, which were applied to walls and ceilings in the museum’s entrance, two main gallery areas, lobby and museum store, include soothing grays, deep reds and creamy whites such as Gypsum (PPG1006-1), Burgundy Wine (PPG13-03), Candy Apple (PPG13-10) and Knight’s Armor (PPG1001-6).

“The Paint For A Change program was created as another way for PPG’s independent retailers to give back to their communities and customers,” said John Trenta, senior brand manager, PPG Pittsburgh Paints brand. “We’re excited to further beautify the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums with one of PPG’s most legendary paint brands.”

The painting updates, which began on Jan. 13 and are estimated to conclude in mid-February by volunteers and local painting company May Painting, are part of a larger $1.3 million renovation project that will occur through May 2016. In addition to fresh paint, the renovations include new interactive exhibits, a new café, and other amenities that will be unveiled during a large centennial celebration over Memorial Day weekend to commemorate the museum’s 100th anniversary.

“Color Haven Paint & Supply is honored to have a part in restoring the first presidential library in the U.S., which is a cherished landmark of our community,” said John Havens, founder of Color Haven Paint & Supply and member of the Development Committee for the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.

There were several obstacles to overcome when undertaking this renovation. “Some of the existing displays were installed in the 1960s, so they were set into the actual wall,” Havens said. “When removing them and preparing to repaint, we needed to apply an alkaline resistant primer before painting could begin.”

PPG Pittsburgh Paints Regency Paint+Primer-In-One interior paint in a flat sheen was applied to ceilings, and the same paint in an eggshell sheen was applied to walls. “The eggshell really helps with hiding and wiping handprints off as visitors walk through the museum and touch the walls or lean on them,” Havens added. 


Cost was another consideration. “Our budget is very tight,” said Christie Weininger, the museum’s executive director. “There is much work to do, and we have limited resources.  That’s why we are so grateful to PPG Pittsburgh Paints and their Paint For A Change program.  Because of their donation, we are able to paint some additional spaces in the building that were not part of the original project scope.”

The $1.3 million renovation includes new exhibit-galleries throughout the two floors of the museum and a new, handicapped-accessible main entrance.   “Our previous museum exhibit galleries were installed in 1968,” said Weininger. “Although they used cutting-edge technology for that time, they had become worn and outdated. Our new galleries will be interactive, use more photos and better tell the story of President Hayes and First Lady Lucy. They will use more of the president’s diary entries and family letters, so visitors will learn about that time period through the president’s own words.”

The museum will include some new exhibit galleries, including a look at the advocacy work the Hayeses did after they left the White House, and a history of Fremont, Ohio, the city where the site is located. “A fun feature will be a replica of the  Resolute Desk in the Presidents’ Gallery,” Weininger added. “Queen Victoria of England gave President Hayes the Resolute Desk while he was in the White House, and it remains in the Oval Office today.”

Another improvement is the addition of a handicapped-accessible entrance. “Before this project, it was located in the back of the museum and utilized a freight lift,” said Weininger. “That was not the way we wanted to welcome people here. With this new main entrance, everyone will be able to enter through the same doors.”

PPG Paint will play a key role in the updates. “The Rotunda, which is part of the original building that opened in 1916, will receive a much-needed painting update, and a water stain that has been there for many years will be removed,” said Weininger. “Each of the galleries throughout the building will have eye-catching colors, such as deep reds and bright blues in some areas and soothing colors, such as creamy whites and grays, in others. The fresh paint throughout the building will complement our new exhibit galleries and help make them stand out.”

Where appropriate, historically accurate colors where used in the update. “In the original 1916 part of the building, we selected colors that are reflective of the time period,” said Weininger. “In the remaining galleries, which are located in newer parts of the building, our exhibit designer selected colors that complemented the look of the new exhibits.”

“Some major changes and updates are being made in regards to color on the walls and ceilings in the museum’s entrance, two main gallery areas, lobby and gift shop,” said Havens. “The existing paint was an off-white, but in trying to bring richer, more historic colors are being used in these spaces, such as soothing grays, deep reds and creamy whites such as Gypsum (PPG1006-1), Burgundy Wine (PPG13-03), Candy Apple (PPG13-10) and Knight’s Armor (PPG1001-6). Color is also being used to bring attention to historic architectural pieces in the museum.”

“The renovation project will create a drastically different appearance,” added Havens. “The museum will be much more open, with large, glass displays and windows. Any partition walls that are being put in place are accented with color. The appearance and design of the museum will be more modern, from the architecture to the colors and new interactive displays.”

The Paint For A Change program is a nationwide initiative to help rehabilitate community structures in need of paint restoration. This initiative is supported by the PPG Pittsburgh Paints brand, available exclusively at U.S.-based independent retailers. As part of the paint brand’s commitment to these locally owned businesses, it has partnered with them to help them give back to their communities.