Historical Color Collection – 50 Years of Iconic Color | Benjamin Moore
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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.

A corner home office space with beige painted walls, white trim, and a white ceiling.

Regal Select Interior, Matte

Shaker Beige HC-45

Simply White OC-117

Dove Wing OC-18

The interior of a covered porch painted dark gray, with French doors all around.

WALLS, CEILING, TRIM & DOORS

WALLS & CEILING:

Aura Interior, Satin

TRIM & DOORS:

Advance, Satin

A dark burgundy-brown painted wall and shelf holding collectibles, behind a wood table and chair.

WALL:

Aura Interior, Matte

SHELF:

Advance, Satin

A kitchen with teal painted cabinets, trim, backsplash, and doors, a light gray upper wall and ceiling, and open wood shelves.

DOOR, TRIM, CABINETS & BACKSPLASH

DOOR, TRIM & CABINETS:

Advance, Semi-Gloss

BACKSPLASH:

Regal Select Interior, Matte

Newburg Green HC-158

Wickham Gray HC-171

A butler’s pantry with white painted walls, trim, and ceiling; muted blue-green cabinets; and a wet bar.

Advance, Semi-Gloss

Stratton Blue HC-142

Elmira White HC-84

A powder room with upper shiplap walls, shelves, and ceiling painted a muted green with gray undertones, a white door, and white tile.

SHIPLAP WALLS, CEILING & SHELVES

Regal Select Interior, Satin/Pearl

Louisburg Green HC-113

Vapor AF-35

A marigold yellow painted bedroom wall with gold trim and windows, a white ceiling, a beige door, and neutral decor.

Aura, Matte

Dorset Gold HC-8

Bryant Gold HC-7

Acadia White OC-38

Carrington Beige HC-93

Most Popular Paint Colors

A paintbrush and an open can of paint against a Hale Navy HC-154 surface.

Hale Navy HC-154

A paintbrush and an open can of paint against a New London Burgundy HC-61 surface.

New London Burgundy HC-61

A paintbrush and an open can of paint against a Revere Pewter HC-172 surface.

Revere Pewter HC-172

A paintbrush and an open can of paint against an Edgecomb Gray HC-173 surface.

Edgecomb Gray HC-173

A paintbrush and an open can of paint against a Saybrook Sage HC-114 surface.

Saybrook Sage HC-114

A paintbrush and an open can of paint against an Essex Green HC-188 surface.

Essex Green HC-188

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

Two Historical Color Collection brochures from the Benjamin Moore archives, one features original exterior colors, the second features original interior colors.

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

A home exterior with black painted siding, trim, and front doors, surrounded by greenery.

SIDING: Black HC-190, Aura Exterior, Low Lustre, TRIM: Black HC-190, Aura Exterior, Satin, DOORS: Black HC-190, Regal Select Exterior MoorGard, Low Lustre

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

A Benjamin Moore Color Collections fan deck.

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.

“As a painter in Westchester, New York, and Southern Connecticut, we work on and in many ‘mature’ houses and businesses. We lean heavily on the Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection to help our clients maintain or enhance the character of the interiors and exteriors of their homes and commercial properties.”

Peter Buttenwieser
Managing Partner, CertaPro Painters of Westchester NY & Southern CT

“Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection is a go-to for Tiffany Skilling Interiors because of the richness and depth of the colors. We find ourselves reaching for Hale Navy HC-154 time and time again as the perfect navy. I can’t tell you how many projects we’ve used Hale Navy on in various ways; from wainscoting and cabinetry to accent colors on custom lighting, you name it, and we’ve probably done it."

Tiffany Skilling
Founder and Principal Designer, Tiffany Skilling Interiors, Indianapolis

“The Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection is so useful because it has everything you need without being overwhelming. It’s not a fan deck with thousands of choices; it’s a great collection of tried-and-true colors that are tested and work well. One favorite is Van Deusen Blue HC-156, which works on doors, shutters, cabinets—people use it everywhere.”

Rick Holtz
Owner, H.J. Holtz & Son, Richmond, VA

“The Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection offers timeless, dependable colors that work beautifully across both traditional and modern spaces. Its versatility and enduring appeal make it a go-to palette for creating classic, lasting designs.”

Marcia Kochanoski
Color Consultant, MacFarland Painting, Detroit

“The Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection is one we come back to again and again. These colors have a depth and authenticity that works beautifully in the kinds of homes we paint in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma. They hold up in any setting, any era.”

John Busick
Owner, Kunst Painting, San Francisco

“Working with designers, I see that the Historical Collection gives them a remarkable sense of confidence—it is a palette that consistently brings cohesion and atmosphere to an interior, regardless of style. Its colors carry a timeless harmony that allows projects to achieve elegance effortlessly.”

Aleksandra Hajduk
Marketing Director, Benjamin Moore Polska (Authorized Distributor for Poland)

“The Historical Collection is such a tried-and-true, thoughtfully selective palette, offering colors that feel grounded and enduring, with both depth and restraint. Brewster Gray HC-162 is a newer favorite of mine, while Revere Pewter HC-172 has remained a longtime staple.”

Lauren Wodicka
Owner and Principal Designer, LBW Studio, Loudoun County, Virginia

“Woodlawn Blue is the front door color for the restoration of my 1877 pioneer home and one of my all-time favorite colors. It's like looking into the heavens for me.
I use so many historic colors, and it's actually the first place I go for paint selection. From my husband’s handsome office in Hale Navy to the high-gloss Heritage Red front doors we love to give our clients, the Benjamin Moore Historical Collection is my go-to."

Hillary Taylor
Owner & Principal Designer, Hillary W. Taylor Interiors, Salt Lake City, UT

“Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection continues to resonate because its colors feel authentic to the places and architecture we love most. Hamilton Blue HC-191 has long been a favorite for trims, shutters, and doors on Nantucket, where it reflects the ocean and complements the island’s weathered historic character. Its richness and versatility feel equally at home on Colonial, Federal, and Greek Revival houses, creating a timeless sense of place that never feels trendy—only enduring.”

Gary McBournie & Bill Richards
Owners & Principal Designers, McBournie Richards, New York and Boston

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

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We believe in the transformative power of our paint. For generations, our passion for producing products and colors made from premium-quality ingredients has been our highest priority. We continually push the boundaries of innovation and champion sustainability, for lasting results and local expertise you can trust.

On-screen and printer color representations may vary from actual paint colors. ©2026 Benjamin Moore & Co. 101 Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645