For over 50 years, visitors to the Neshaminy Mall enjoyed a vast display of history thanks to seven intricate dioramas, including a massive 33-figure piece depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This diorama, created in 1968 by Tommy Rowland Inc. for Strawbridge and Clothier, as well as the six others that showcase historic events of the Delaware Valley, was slated to be demolished last year. However, the Bensalem Historical Society jumped into action to save these precious figures.
The Declaration of Independence diorama was quickly moved to the lobby of the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road, but desperately needed some fixing up. After being on display for so many decades, the diorama was caked in dust and grime, endured some water damage and had a few detached details, including a hand. Art conservator and preservation specialist Albertson & Nunan Inc. was called in to restore the diorama and, as of last week, it’s almost finished.
For Beth Nunan and her preservation team, it’s a thrill to work on such a unique diorama, which was constructed using painted textiles, paper, feathers, wood, metal foils, doll hair and even a few mechanics, allowing several of the figures to move. Thanks to their meticulous efforts, the diorama looks fresh and new.
“Everything from top to bottom is getting cleaned and dusted. The dust was so thick that you actually couldn’t make out the painted design on the carpet. It was completely covered. Some of the paper was also very gray, all of their hair had been grayed out. The colors have really come forward and are very saturated looking now,” said Nunan. “I love seeing something like this. You don’t see things get made by hand to this degree anymore. I love being able to save something like this.”
Bensalem Township Mayor Joe DiGirolamo expressed his appreciation, saying, “From what it was when we brought it in here, to look at this today is incredible. This is really an art.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
