Historical Color Collection
Iconic Colors. Distinctively Benjamin Moore.
The Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection sets the standard for enduring paint color. For 50 years, it has elevated both interior and exterior spaces with classic appeal and lasting quality, inspiring generations.
Most Popular Paint Colors
Most Popular Paint Colors
From nuanced neutrals to rich, deep hues, the Historical Color Collection brings timeless beauty to every space. While all 191 colors in the collection have stood the test of time, six shades have emerged as best sellers, beloved for their versatility, character, and enduring appeal.
Hale Navy HC-154 remains the quintessential navy paint color Benjamin Moore is known for, offering a softer, always-on-trend alternative to black or brown. New London Burgundy HC-61, another confident shade, delivers an elegant blend of red, violet, and brown that creates a beautifully welcoming statement on any front door.
Among neutrals, Revere Pewter HC-172 and the slightly lighter, warmer Edgecomb Gray HC-173 are go-to, use-anywhere colors that complement both traditional and modern styles.
Green continues to be a perennial favorite with two standout options: Saybrook Sage HC-114, a harmonious blend of green and gray, and the dark, moody Essex Green HC-188, which delivers a rich hunter-green depth that never disappoints.
The Origin of the Historical Color Collection
The Origin of the Historical Color Collection
The story of how the Historical Color Collection came to be is rich in inspiration and American tradition. Each time-honored color reflects a sense of heritage and architectural influence that continues to resonate.
Debuting alongside the 1976 American bicentennial celebration, the collection emerged during a time of renewed appreciation for the nation’s history.
Several buildings maintained by the U.S. National Park Service served as key inspiration for the palette.
Inspired by 18th- and 19th-century architecture and the interiors handcrafted by the artisans of that time, the collection has endured. Today, 50 years later, these paint colors remain more relevant than ever, working seamlessly in both modern and traditional design.
Exterior Paint Colors with Lasting Appeal
Exterior Paint Colors with Lasting Appeal
A go‑to for exteriors, the Historical Color Collection is filled with options designed to elevate curb appeal. These colors offer everything you want in an exterior paint color: timelessness, versatility, and beauty.
Nearly all the colors in the collection are available in exterior products, making it easy to find a shade that suits your needs. Colors like Heritage Red HC-181 and Hawthorne Yellow HC-4 are classic choices for front doors, while versatile neutrals such as Manchester Tan HC-81 and Stonington Gray HC-170 are can’t‑go‑wrong options for siding. Choosing colors you’ll love for years to come is essential, and the Historical Color Collection is filled with hues that truly stand the test of time.
With just the right amount of saturation, the colors in this collection deliver presence without feeling overwhelming. They strike a balance that keeps them fresh and appealing, ensuring they remain shades you won’t tire of quickly.
Where to Find the Historical Color Collection
Where to Find the Historical Color Collection
To streamline color selection, our color experts have organized Benjamin Moore’s more than 3,500 colors into distinct color collections, each identified with a prefix. Colors that start with HC are part of the Historical Color Collection. The complete palette of historically inspired hues spans from HC-1 to HC-191.
Visit our online store to order a Collections Fan Deck, which includes swatches for the entire Historical Color Collection.
You can also purchase individual peel-and-stick paint samples online or explore the Historical Color Collection at your locally owned Benjamin Moore store and take home complimentary display color chips.
What People Are Saying
See what designers, contractors, and retailers have to say about the Historical Color Collection.
Our Colors, Your Spaces
Find inspiration in the way others are incorporating the enduring beauty of the Historical Color Collection into their projects.
Explore the Historical Color Collection
Historical Colors
Showing 1-49 of 191