Restoring Asa’s Portrait

The large, beloved portrait of Lehigh founder Asa Packer, which loomed in the Asa Packer Dining Hall in the University Center for about 40 years, is getting a facelift.

“It's time for us to take a look at it and evaluate its condition and see if we can get it cleaned up and restored,” said Mark Wonsidler, LUAG's curatorial associate for Exhibitions and Collections.

The portrait, given to the university in 1961, is being restored by Hartmann Fine Art Conservation Services Inc. of Carlisle, Pa.

The year-long process will include the careful removal of countless layers of dirt and nicotine and will also repair tears in the canvas.