You'll find it easy to locate your favorite because the palette is organized by color family. Rather than being laid out in the traditional rainbow pattern, this system takes advantage of a zigzag pattern that creates a visual interest and draws you into color space. But don't worry, even in this innovative zigzag design, the colors flow in the same manner as a color wheel. So you'll be able to spot your favorite color quickly and easily.

The pivot point of the system places the brightest and most chromatic colors at the center of the display.  As you work your way outward toward the end of the display, colors become less chromatic or more muted. The bottom level is reserved for the neutrals versions of all of these families and is separated warm on the left and cool on the right.

Color tools include take home chips, a fan deck, an album and an architect or designer kit.

The Historic Colour Collection showcases colours carefully selected from historic buildings and objects which authentically reflect the colours of our past.  Coordinated combinations help you create body, trim, and accent paint schemes to dramatize your home, inside and outside.  Whether you are decorating an old house or a contemporary one, these combinations add the character and distinction of America’s colourful past.

Curators and preserationists from Historic New England work with other museums and private homeowners from across the country to understand, preserve and recreate the Historic Colour Collection.

The Historic Colour Collection consists of 149 colors that have been extensively researched by the Society for Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA).  Working with museums, antiques, and historic buildings, the SPNEA as able to create a collection that accurately reproduces the colors of our past.  But, do not let the name fool you.  These colors look just as beautiful on the contemporary homes of today as they do on the traditional homes of our past.