Historically, tin
ceilings were introduced to the United States as an affordable alternative to the
exquisite plasterwork used in
European homes (makes sense). They gained popularity in the late 1800's as Americans sought
sophisticated interior design - which explains why so many old restaurants and bars in NYC have these tin ceilings still today.
It was during the Victorian era (1839–1901) that thin rolled tin-plate was being mass-produced. This is probably the time that the tin ceilings were put into Belle.
Between 1890 and 1930, approximately forty-five companies in the United States
marketed metal ceilings; most were in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York - which explains why you don't really see these old ceilings on the west coast.
Sheets of tin were stamped one at a
time using rope drop hammers and cast iron molds.The rumor in our small village is that the barn next to our carriage house made most of the tin for our area back in the day and that the original stamps are still there.
The library of Belle had the most elaborate tin (this photo above is one of those pieces). Although 3 other rooms still had tin ceilings when we bought the house.
After 100 years the paint started peeling off the tin ceiling in the library in Belle - leaving us with a large project to scrape it all off and repaint each piece before it can be put back into place.
Jeff mapped out the entire ceiling with numbers and created a map before carefully removing each piece and storing it for another day when it can be put back up.
While it might not be right away - we will put that beautiful tin ceiling back up so that it can be enjoyed for another 100 years.