Shop Bio
History:

Richard Branyan founded Lower Lodge Antiques in 1987 and in 1992 started Lower Lodge Conservation and Museum Services. Lower Lodge provides full restoration and conservation to a variety of Clients from Museums to private collectors. Lower Lodge is the only Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation specializing in furniture in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and many other states in the south.

Services Offered:
  • Furniture Refinishing

  • Furniture Upholstery

  • Chair Gluing

  • Fire Damage Restoration

  • Smoker Damage Restoration

  • Water Damage Restoration

  • Transit Moving Damage

  • Brass Polishing

  • Piano Finishing

  • Antique Restoration

  • On Site Repairs &
    Spot Touch-up

  • Veneering

  • Furniture Stripping

  • Architectural Finishes

  • Furniture Repair

  • Replacement Parts

  • Color Matching

  • Custom Finishes

  • Insurance Claims

  • Architectural Finishes

  • Hand Carving

  • Leather Repair

  • Upholstery Cleaning

  • Antique Conservation

  • Antique Preservation

  • Fine Art Restoration

  • Marble Repair

  • Property Damage

  • Reproduction Furniture

Lower Lodge Conservation provides the following services:

  • Examine, document and catalog wooden objects, furniture, upholstered furniture and clocks.
  • Write treatment proposals and reports for wooden objects and furniture.
  • Assess collections and advise on environmental conditions to minimize deterioration.
  • Research appropriate designs for the restoration and replacement of missing areas of furniture by using well documented examples.
  • Perform extensive treatments on wooden objects using hand and power tools.
  • Work with veneers, inlays, marquetry, tortoiseshell, and ivory.
  • Replace and restore missing carvings, turnings, and hardware.
  • Treat and stabilize damaged finishes.
  • Inspect furniture for signs of authenticity or fraud.
  • Design and construct crates for transport of fragile objects.
  • Write and present lectures on conservation.
Contact Information:

Professional Restorer, Owner:
Richard Branyan

Location:
Lower Lodge Conservation & Museum Services
712 Franklin Street
Natchez, MS 39120

Hours:
Monday Through Friday 10 AM - 5 PM

Phone:
Voice: 601-442-2617
Fax: 601-445-9785
Cell: 601-807-4081

Web Site: Email:
Service Area:

Our Clients are located all over the USA. We have clients in: Iowa, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We can collect and deliver, arrange shipping, or often our clients enjoy meeting us in person and visiting historic Natchez Mississippi.

Awards or Certifications:

EDUCATION:
Higher National Diploma, Business and Technician Education Council (BTEC)
University of London, College of Furniture, London, England
(BTEC HND course is now an MA)
Furniture Conservation, 1987 - 1989

London College of Furniture, Advanced Award with Commendation
Furniture Conservation, 1989

Higher National Certificate BTEC
Rycotewood College, Thame, Oxfordshire, England
(BTEC HNC course is now a BA)
Furniture Crafts & Business & Marketing, 1986 - 1987

Advanced Award, City and Guilds of London Institute
Rycotewood College, Thame, Oxfordshire, England
Furniture Crafts, 1986

National Certificate, BTEC
Rycotewood College, Thame, Oxfordshire, England
Design (Crafts), 1985 - 1986

University of Oxford Advanced Level, Woodwork, 1986
University of London Advanced Level, Art, 1983

AWARDS:
Epsom College, Woodworking Prize 1983, Graham Sutherland Art prize 1983
The Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award 1982
Certificate of Appreciation Rosalie Mansion, Natchez MS 2001
Certificate of Appreciation Mississippi Governor's Mansion, Jackson MS 2007

Current, Past Affiliations and Memberships:

American Institute for Conservation, American Institute of Conservation (AIC) (elected a Professional Associate 1997)
(Treasurer AIC Wooden Artifacts Group, 2003 - 2005)
Southeastern Regional Conservation Alliance (SERCA)
Louisiana Art Conservation Alliance (LACA)
American Association of Museums (AAM)
Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC)
Mississippi Museums Association (MMA)
Rotary Club International, member since 1996 (Multiple "Paul Harris Fellow", former board member and Sgt.-at -Arms)
Natchez Opera Festival, board member, 2003 - 2006
Natchez Historical Society - President, 2004 - 2006




antique Pulpita
Antique Furniture Restoration

Lower Lodge Conservation & Museum Services

Professional Restorers International
Charter Member Since 2009