Work begins on restoration of State House dome, Lady of Wisdom

Posted:Today Updated: 12:03 AM New copper sheathing will initially make the dome shine like a new penny.

By Susan McMillan Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA The scaffolding is going up, and in a matter of weeks the copper will come down.

click image to enlarge

Workers build scaffolding around the State House dome on Wednesday in Augusta. A $1.3 million project entails restoring the domes copper sheathing and gilding the statue that tops it.

Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

The $1.3 million restoration of the State House dome has begun. The project consists primarily of replacing the domes leaky copper sheathing, which dates to an expansion of the building in 1909-10.

The workmanship back then was just excellent, but it needs to be replaced so we dont have problems with the structure of the dome itself, said David Boulter, executive director of the Legislative Council.

Holes as large as dimes have formed in the copper, allowing water to seep in. In addition to replacing the sheathing, workers will repair and upgrade the gilded Lady of Wisdom statue that tops the dome.

Crews began work in late March. By mid-May, they should be finished erecting the staging, Boulter said. The scaffolding will encase the entire dome. Removal of the old copper will begin by early June, and the whole project is expected to be completed in late October.

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Work begins on restoration of State House dome, Lady of Wisdom