Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Massachusetts, the Townsend Historical Society was able to recreate the monochromatic Rufus Porter mural in the downstairs parlor of the Reed Homestead! Thanks so much to the great artist Susan Leach, this room feels like it would have over a century ago when you walk in. Some of the original mural is still visible, and the rest is safely behind the removable painted panels. Thanks also to the art historian Linda Lefko, who examined the remains of the mural on the walls and created the plans for the recreation.

An article on this recreation effort was published in the Fall 2025 issue of “A Primitive Place” magazine: