State House dome to get a facelift
The dome of the historic Maryland State House -- the oldest continuously operating state capitol in the country -- is getting a facelift this summer.
The Department of General Services says the 222-year-old dome will be scraped and repainted, and windows will be repaired. Scaffolding is already being erected (pictured).
DGS reports that this is the first time since 1996 that the dome, the highest point in Annapolis, will be covered in scaffolding. Winds, salty air and direct sun have taken their toll on the paint. An upgraded primer will be applied this time.
“As the most important historic structure in Maryland, the State House requires special attention for its care and preservation,” DGS Secretary Alvin C. Collins said in a statement.
The project, which began this month and is scheduled to be completed in late October, costs $787,000, said Sam Cook, Annapolis regional director of DGS.
Trivia: Although white for most of its years, the State House dome originally was "finished in hues of ochre and blue," according to the Maryland Historical Trust.
Comments
it's about time---as Dome Delouis would say
Posted by: k kostolecki | May 10, 2011 3:03 PM
Foreclosures, unemployment, more taxes anticipated in special session, and we have money to burn. Voters are fools because we elect the same set of spendthrifts and expect our state to be run well.
Posted by: AnneR | May 10, 2011 4:06 PM
That's right, AnneR. It would be better to let a 222-year-old historical landmark rot away than maintain it for future generations. Go have a cup of tea!
Posted by: Mgolden | May 10, 2011 5:00 PM
If they would alocate some money each year for maintanence and upkeep it wouldn't be this bad... But I agree we have more pressing problems then giving a facelift of this magnitude to a building.
Posted by: me | May 10, 2011 5:25 PM
So, AnneR, under the tea-powered government of your dreams, valuable (priceless) public assets are allowed to fall into disrepair? Sounds irresponsible to me. Or perhaps you'd prefer to slap some aluminum siding up there and call it a day.
Posted by: BankStreet | May 11, 2011 8:42 AM
And ... @me, I suspect the legislature does allocate funds each year for "maintanence and upkeep" of State facilities. But, as any property owner can tell you, all the routine maintanence in the world doesn't mean that periodically, major work doesn't need to be done. For example, let's say you last painted your house in 1996. 'Bout time for another round, don't you think?
Posted by: BankStreet | May 11, 2011 8:47 AM