As you last remember, the basement had been gutted.  When the ceiling came down, batts of “Balsam-Wool” – a type of cellulose insulation – were revealed.  The product had a very handsome label:

Graphic design was so much more interesting in the last century.

There was a similar label in green, and I saved all that were in decent shape.  OK; let’s start start pulling down this stuff:

Not too bad; kind of musty-smelling, though.

With all of the insulation down (and several dead mice removed from between the ceiling joists) the place begins to feel less oppressive and smell better.

Much better!

Now I just have to remove all of the sheetrock nails and insulation staples still stuck in the joists:

The ceiling has been cleaned of staples and nails. After sweeping the floor, there is a bit of dust in the air.

I like the appearance of the ceiling and the illusion of height that is given to the low-ceiling space.  I’m fairly certain that I will keep this as the finished ceiling and insulate the rafters of the never-finished room above.