Lookin’ harp! Of Hampton National Historic Site’s 45,000-object collection, the Erard harp is a unique treasure. Most closely associated with the Thomas Sully painting “Lady With a Harp” (1818) which contributed to the preservation of #Hampton and creation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Eliza Ridgely received this harp crafted by internationally renowned harp and piano maker Sebastian Erard. In 1828, Eliza Ridgely married John Ridgely and brought the harp to Hampton’s music room where it has stood ever since.  Now, as part of Hampton’s museum collection, it is one of the oldest surviving double-action pedal #harps in the United States and may be the oldest currently on exhibit at a museum.   Over its long life, the harp gradually fell into disrepair. Flawed restoration work to the surface decoration in 1975 unintentionally caused additional problems over time. The strings were loosened to prevent major damage which the high tension can cause to an antique harp, but...