Where Craftsmanship Meets Conservation

Goodwood Museum and Gardens, Tallahassee, FL

Ceiling Stabilization at Goodwood Museum and Gardens

The Earliest Frescoes in Florida Were in Danger of Hitting the Floor

Building Overview

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

Built in 1834 on land originally granted to Marquis de Lafayette, the Goodwood estate in Tallahassee is a rare southern property with original antebellum structures still standing. The site’s fresco-adorned ceilings are considered some of the earliest surviving examples in the state of Florida.

Renovation Focus

Emergency stabilization of historic plaster fresco ceilings

Renovation Focus

Plaster Magic® Solution

Vibration from a space shuttle flyover, combined with nearly two centuries of natural aging, led to significant plaster detachment in the ceiling. The frescoes were at risk of complete collapse.

To stabilize the ceiling, the Plaster Magic® team accessed the structure from above:
1.

Floorboards were removed to expose the lath and vacuumed then cleaned thoroughly

2.

Holes were drilled for precision adhesive injection

3.

The lath and surrounding plaster were treated and reattached using Plaster Magic® materials

4.

All injection points were patched and restored for a seamless finish

Saving Florida’s Earliest Painted Ceilings

The Goodwood frescoes are not just decorative—they are a rare visual record of Southern style and craftsmanship. This project illustrates how Plaster Magic® can be used in delicate, historically significant environments. The result was a secured ceiling and preserved artistry, safeguarded for future generations.

Wooden beams and planks in a storage or construction setting
Decorative chandelier hanging from a ornately decorated ceiling in a room with a fireplace.
Decorative chandelier hanging from a ceiling with decorative molding and a mirror in the background.
Black and white photograph of a large house with a prominent porch and trees in the foreground.
Decorative ceiling with intricate patterns and a chandelier in a room.
Person on a ladder repairing a ceiling with tools
Three men celebrating with a trophy indoors.
Decorative ceiling with intricate patterns and molding
Puzzle pieces on a table in a room with cabinets and a door.
Corner of a ceiling with visible damage and repair work.
Person working on a decorative ceiling fresco with floral and leaf patterns.
Ceiling with decorative element and scaffolding in a room
Wooden deck with peeling paint and a person wearing yellow shorts partially visible.
Large white mansion with columns and trees in front, under a blue sky.
Close-up of wooden beams with white paint flaking off, showing signs of wear.
Wooden beams and planks in a storage or construction setting
Person using a drill to mix contents in a bucket on a wooden floor with buckets around.
Wooden beams and planks in a storage or construction setting
Decorative chandelier hanging from a ornately decorated ceiling in a room with a fireplace.
Decorative chandelier hanging from a ceiling with decorative molding and a mirror in the background.
Black and white photograph of a large house with a prominent porch and trees in the foreground.
Decorative ceiling with intricate patterns and a chandelier in a room.
Person on a ladder repairing a ceiling with tools
Three men celebrating with a trophy indoors.
Decorative ceiling with intricate patterns and molding
Puzzle pieces on a table in a room with cabinets and a door.
Corner of a ceiling with visible damage and repair work.
Person working on a decorative ceiling fresco with floral and leaf patterns.
Ceiling with decorative element and scaffolding in a room
Wooden deck with peeling paint and a person wearing yellow shorts partially visible.
Large white mansion with columns and trees in front, under a blue sky.
Close-up of wooden beams with white paint flaking off, showing signs of wear.
Wooden beams and planks in a storage or construction setting
Person using a drill to mix contents in a bucket on a wooden floor with buckets around.
Wooden beams and planks in a storage or construction setting
Decorative chandelier hanging from a ornately decorated ceiling in a room with a fireplace.
Decorative chandelier hanging from a ceiling with decorative molding and a mirror in the background.
Black and white photograph of a large house with a prominent porch and trees in the foreground.
Decorative ceiling with intricate patterns and a chandelier in a room.
Person on a ladder repairing a ceiling with tools
Three men celebrating with a trophy indoors.
Decorative ceiling with intricate patterns and molding
Puzzle pieces on a table in a room with cabinets and a door.
Corner of a ceiling with visible damage and repair work.
Person working on a decorative ceiling fresco with floral and leaf patterns.
Ceiling with decorative element and scaffolding in a room
Wooden deck with peeling paint and a person wearing yellow shorts partially visible.
Large white mansion with columns and trees in front, under a blue sky.
Close-up of wooden beams with white paint flaking off, showing signs of wear.
Wooden beams and planks in a storage or construction setting
Person using a drill to mix contents in a bucket on a wooden floor with buckets around.

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