Sikes Adobe Farmhouse Restoration

January 2004 Progress Report

The Colonial Dames of America in California, San Diego Chapter, took responsibility for the design and installation of the manta ceiling. Upholstery Fabric Outlet (UFO) donated the fabric. A manta ceiling is a cloth ceiling, usually muslin or canvas, that during the 19th century was commonly stretched tightly across the top of a room in a country home to keep dirt and dust from entering. We know that the Sikes' had such a ceiling because tattered fabrics of it remained when reconstruction began.

The pictures below show that it was not an easy job dealing with that much fabric!

Below: Marilen Sedlock can barely be seen.

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