A painted linen banner with images of tools of the house wrights' trade, including a block plane, a back saw, a broad ax, square and dividers and molding plane, proclaims, "Our Labour & Skill are Indispensable for the Advancement of Civilization."

The reverse features a leaf wreath surrounding the words, "Strength, Convenience, Beauty; the great desiderata in Civil Architecture."

William Capen Jr. painted the banner for the house wrights' group of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association in Portland.

The banner and 16 others celebrated the work of skilled artisans. The banners were carried in a parade Oct. 8, 1841 in Portland.