Conservation Services for 1874 Exterior Panels
Weaverville Joss House
Weaverville, CA

The Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds, or Weaverville Joss House, is the fourth and last in a series of Taoist temples constructed in Weaverville, California. Fire consumed the first three temples, and the present Joss House was dedicated on April 18, 1874. The wooden structure features 17 panels located on the main entrance of the temple. The panels consist of historical, mythological, and symbolic representations and carved inscriptions. The temple served the Chinese community of Weaverville through the depression and both World Wars, until it was accepted into the State Park system in 1956. Today, it stands as one of the significant historic sites of northern California.

California State Parks retained ARG Conservation Services (ARG/CS) to assess the existing condition and evaluate potential treatments of the 17 painted wooden panels adorning the temple. ARG/CS documented and examined the panels on-site and prepared a written conditions assessment report with treatment recommendations for the panels. In addition, further analysis was performed to determine the method and composition of the paint systems and to develop the proposed treatments. In 2005, ARG/CS treated the panels in San Francisco, using its in-house laboratory and staff of conservators.