Rufus Porter Murals

Rufus Porter was a traveling folk artist who decorated walls with stenciled images and original paintings throughout New England during the first half of the 1800s.  His payment was often “bed and board” rather than hard cash.  So, it is very possible that he laid his head down in Townsend Harbor while creating the scenes on the Oliver Reed Homestead’s bedroom walls.  His wall paintings were less costly for homeowners than expensive imported wallpaper of the time.  Unfortunately, much of his work elsewhere in the region was destroyed when wallpaper was applied in later years. Subsequent stripping the paper removed the mural paint underneath. The Reed Homestead and Job Lane Farm Museum murals have escaped damage and appear as bright as they probably did in the early 1800s.  more…

Visit the Rufus Porter Museum!

Job Lane Farm Museum Rufus Porter Mural Pictures!