Alcatraz Painted Wall Signs
Preservation Treatment of Historic Painted Wall Signs
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, CA

Alcatraz prison is one of the most famous penal facilities in the world. Constructed in 1909 as a military prison, it became a maximum-security federal prison in the early 1930s. In 1972, the island and prison became part of the newly formed Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and in 1986, Alcatraz Island became a National Historic Landmark.

Located in the basement of the Main Cellhouse, the Shower Room contains numerous historic finishes, including three painted wall signs dating from the federal penitentiary period. In preparation for the rehabilitation of the space, which included repainting of all wall surfaces, ARG Conservation services provided conservation treatments to the signs prior to painting over them, allowing potential re-exposure of the signs, so that they may be revealed at a later date.

The signs were coated with varnish to consolidate flaking paint and act as a barrier coat. After the varnish dried, a layer of Japanese paper was adhered to the sign area with wheat starch paste. A final covering of vinyl wallpaper was applied over the Japanese tissue. This method of covering the signs ensures reversibility of the subsequent repainting of the wall areas.