On August 13, 1999 7:34 PM, Ralph Walter [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] wrote:

<snipperoo>

> As I heard the story, the 19th century blue porch ceilings were intended
> to
> keep wasps away.  Anybody got anything more definitive on the porch
> ceiling
> paint and theories behind?  We found blue on the ceiling of an 1895
house
> I
> worked on in Phoenix, but I found my porch ceiling (c. 1887) in Joisey
> varnished.

I don't have the definitive answer, but I always operated on the insect
repellant theory, handed down from generation to generation by way of
urban legend.

I should also note that down around these parts hereabouts, there is also
an alternative color, kind of a pastel-ish sea-foam green...a very nice
color, relaxing.  Sorry I can't email a swatch.
____________________________________

Dan Becker, Exec. Dir., RHDC
Raleigh Historic Districts Commission
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