An art conservator is preparing famed artist Franz Kline's "Lehighton" to be transported from Lehighton to Allentown.

The massive painting has dominated the bar at American Legion Post 314, in Lehighton for the last 70 years. It will be transported to its new home at the Allentown Art Museum in the coming weeks.

It depicts the borough of Lehighton as the artist remembered seeing it from his mother's home -- including the Lehigh Gap, the Delaware & Lackawanna Railroad, and the Jake Arner Airport.

The museum has hired art conservator Luca Bonetti to oversee the removal of the canvas, which was originally glued onto the plaster wall behind the bar at the Legion.

Bonetti met with the media and Legion members to discuss the process Wednesday morning.

The next step will be to cover the painting temporarily so that no paint is lost during transportation, Bonetti said.

Eventually, the circa 1945 painting will undergo cleaning and restoration before going on display to the public sometime next year. Over the last 70 years it has sustained minor damage.

The painting is done in a more realistic style than Kline's most famous paintings, which have been sold for millions at auctions in recent years.

The museum declined to name what they paid for the painting, but they said they have agreed to provide some unique educational benefits for the borough, like a lecture about the painting that will take place in Lehighton.

Post 314 will get a replica of the painting to hang above the bar for generations to come.

Check Thursday's Times News for a full story.