As you know from reading this blog, there is a fixation that many have when it comes to Americana décor pieces like cupolas, finials and weathervanes. The number of stories flowing through the internet about projects involving restorations and other such projects are plenty. Surprisingly, people feel rather strongly about the historical implications of changing or redesigning cupolas, regardless of the reason. This week’s stories are no different, with two different towns dealing with cupola-based projects:
Cupola Stalled in Illinois – A lot of times, restoration projects are discussed without full financial backing. This was not the case with a courthouse cupola restoration in Peoria, Illinois, where an initial budget was doubled due to a matching funds grant. According to the Peoria Journal Star, the problem lies with the bids coming from architects:
“But after a fundraising effort for matching funds, the only bid came in at $139,000, halting plans to do the work this fall. A bid that came in late was $118,000, so officials now are planning to re-bid the project. Board Chairman Mike Bigger said he is seeking explanations from architectural firm PSA-Dewberry about the discrepancy between the estimate and the bid.”
Repairs Needed on Cupola – We all know that cupolas belong on top of homes, buildings and other structures. In fact, in-use cupolas are actually used as a way to ventilate farmhouses in many cases. However, more often than not, you’ll hear about a cupola nowhere near the top of any building. That is the case with a historical courthouse cupola in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, according to the Pottsville Republican:
“For the last six to nine months the cupola on the original 1815 courthouse has been sitting in a parking lot in the borough exposed to the elements because there isn’t a location to store it, but the weather can’t do much more damage to the structure, said those working to restore it.”
The original goal involved restoring the building to full working order by New Year’s Day, but fixing the issues with the original cupola in three days seems unlikely, even if they are small.
