Alexander Palace Restoration

Thank you, RM, for noticing. Those babushkas are a national treasure. The only problem, and it is not theirs,  is that they, for the most part do not speak anything other than Russian. So, if one does not speak the language, it is worth it having someone with you who does. They are generous and  happy to share their vast knowledge.  They do not just sit around doing nothing, they love people to ask questions. This true in every palace/museum I have been in in Russia.
 I was at Gatchina once and asked if these beautiful raspberry tapestries were reproductions, they were pristine, looked brand new. Well, she explined how they were saved and stored, let me feel the fabric, front and back [!] discussed their history, not found in the guide book and told us how to go to the restoration rooms to learn more.
 Another, at the AP explained the GDs uniforms on display in great detail.  How most people misidentified which belonged to which GD. And that they were rotated to prevent too much fading. She also directed us to the fabric restoration rooms at the Hermitage, where most of the work is done.  My friend/guide did not know how cooperative these wonderful ladies were and he lives there !
 Tour groups do not give you enough time  to do this, but a  private visit is well worth it.

You are right. They are very appreciative when visitors express an interest and most of them are an untapped source of knowledge about the buildings they sit in, and the objects.
Many are really bored and look pissed off, just sitting there all day, staring at largely disinterested tourists. Many of them dont know very much, and are just doing their jobs. I dont think it is their duty to interact with visitors. Of course it is wonderful when, as a visitor, you can tell them something about a room or object they didnt know about.  That always surprises them. Some of them are a bit taken back, and others are very flattered. But I do make a point of at least saying thank you when I walk past. Its more than they get from most visitors. I think one should make a habit of it.
 

I visited Alexander Palace in December of 2011.  It was beautiful.  I hope to go back next year to see more.  The grounds were covered in snow and I look forward to returning in warmer weather to enjoy the gardens. I am interested in the continuing restoration process. Please tell me more at your convenience. Thanks.

Here's Paul Gilbert's latest report on the restoration schedule for the Alexander Palace.

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/news/482news.html

It also has photos of the poor condition of the west wing.

Thanks for the link!

Does anyone know if any part of the palace is open currently as a museum? I'll be heading back there in August and haven't been inside since 2009...would love the chance to see it again before 2016!

More details from Paul Gilbert today, along with a 12-minute video tour:

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/blog/index.blog/1436517/a-walk-through-the-alexander-palace/

RomanovMartyrs, the east wing and parade rooms of the palace are open to visitors, but they're still working on the west wing. In the east wing, they have an exhibit on the children up on the 2nd floor where their rooms once were.

Inok Nikolai, thank you for providing those links. The video is currently loading for me, but I really appreciated an update on the restoration.

More details from Paul Gilbert today, along with a 12-minute video tour:

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/blog/index.blog/1436517/a-walk-through-the-alexander-palace/

  IMO, it is interesting to note that a recently here (on another thread) much-discussed tapestry copy of a Le Brun painting of the French Queen Marie Antionette and her children (presented to the Empress Alexandra F. by the French President/Government), is shown quite clearly beginning about 3:08 and seen more closely at 3:14-3:21 .       Regards,  AP.

Thanks, EmmyLee! That's exciting, the second floor wasn't open when I went before : )

Paul Gilbert reports on two new exhibits in the Alexander Palace:
http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/blog/index.blog/1436804/two-new-exhibitions-at-the-alexander-palace/

I keep on asking, but have the negotiations for the return of the furniture from Pavlovsk and elsewhere progressed ? I read somewhere that the director of Pavlovsk recently made a statement and said that it is not as simple as driving a truck up to the palace door, loading the items and driving off. This comment does not bode well for the return of what rightfully belongs in the AP. It makes me thing that their could be a long drawn out battle between Pavlovsk and the AP.
A lot of the stuff at Pavlovsk is from the NII era, and without the restoration of the Palace back to what it looked like after Alexandra's "decorations" would look very odd. I dont know if the Meltzer furniture would look right in a Quarenghi room.
It seems pretty pointless to go to all the expense and effort of restoring the palace,  and not having the original contents returned. The Alexander Palace furniture was spread around various other palace displays in the 1950's and could have been returned already, to replacce those horrible big photographs of what the rooms looked like.  Are the directors of Pavlovsk digging in their heels ?
Does anyone know ?
It would seem such a pity if they do, because the AP furniture and other items were placed there temporarily as far as i know.

[Recollections and Letters of Chief Curator Mikhail A. Kuchumov]

(Not sure where to post this. Perhaps moderators will know a better place to move it to, or perhaps it's not news, and should be deleted.)

Stephen De Angelis, who translated the Emperor and Empress' diaries, has another book which might interest us:

Recollections and Letters of Chief Curator Mikhail A. Kuchumov

Kuchumov was Chief Curator and Director of the suburban Leningrad Russian Imperial Palaces.
His recollections from 1928 to 1941 chronicle his many positions during the sale and evacuation of former imperial treasures from St. Petersburg to Siberia.

From April 15, 1944 to July 14, 1941 he wrote 13 riveting letters to his wife in Novosibirsk, Siberia describing the ruin and destruction he encountered in these palaces after the German evacuation.

http://www.bookemon.com/book-profile/recollections-and-letters-of-chief-curator-mikhail-kuchumov/136582

140 pages

$30

I'm thinking "From April 15, 1944 to July 14, 1941" is a typo, unless he could write backwards in time.

I hope you all saw my post about Bob arranging for the return of 48 original color autochrome plates taken about 1914 of the interiors of the AP, both parade rooms and personal apartments, which will be used to guide the restorations. The details are in this same section...

I'm thinking "From April 15, 1944 to July 14, 1941" is a typo, unless he could write backwards in time.

Must be. But it's Bookemon's, not mine!