The primary goal of a paint analysis is to determine what original finishes and colors were present in the building when initially constructed; however, it also serves an important secondary purpose with respect to the overall historical evaluation of the building. The analysis provides information about the building’s development in the years after construction and gives a closer scrutiny of the changes associated with subsequent remodeling and additions. The process typically includes the analysis of walls and ceilings, wood trim, doors and windows, as well as evidence indicated in historic photographs. We have a stereo zoom microscope in-house, and use fiber optic color corrected lighting to evaluate samples in the office. In the field we use a digital microscope to photograph paint history in situ.