Whaling Museum Receives Federal Grant To Restore Painting

The largest painting in the country will be getting some much needed preservation.

The Whaling Museum has received a $50,000 grant to restore the Purrington-Russel Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage Round the World through the National Park Service's Maritime Heritage Program.

The 1,275 ft. canvas painting was created in 1848 by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Purrington and has traveled all over the country.

The efforts to restore the panorama will include a 1/2 scale model of the panorama as well as digitizing the work of art so it can be accessed online and used as an educational tool.

After the three-year project, the panorama will be displayed in its entirety for the first time in over 50 years.