Notes and Chronology
on the State House Acorn
-
1775 -1777 - Notes suggest that
the copper sheathing was placed on the acorn between these years.
(MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
August 1787 - 5 June 1788 -
Simon Retalick, ironmaster, is engaged in ironwork on the State House.
While there is no account extant for the lightning rod, there are sufficient
accounting entries for Retalick to encompass his forging and installing
the rod. From one surviving account, it is clear that Retalick worked for
32 days beginning in July 1787 and ending on or about August 25, 1787 on
"iron work" for the windows of the State House. Similar sums are paid him
in January and June of 1788. Assuming the windows were secured while the
dome, cupola, and acorn were under construction, it would seem likely that
Retalick completed the lightning rod by the time of the January entry in
the accounts, or by June at the latest. (From the timeline of the
State House lightning rod.)
-
1788 - Wooden dome and wooden
acorn installed. 800 pound acorn is sheathed in gold and copper plate
and designed to hold the lightning rod in place. Side and bottom
of the acorn are painted green, and it is topped with a gilded crown.
-
1837 - Acorn on the State House
dome was gilded on top and painted dark red on bottom, middle and pedestal
were waterproofed and covered with lead, and it was signed and dated by
its installers, T. Bennett and P.J. Herold. ("The
Story of the State House and Its Dome")
-
SPNEA analysis of paint samples
indicates that the first generation in which all of the elements in the
paints relate is from the 1837 marbleizing of the pedestal and center ring.
(SPNEA Cross-Section
Microscopy Report. MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
1864 - Signature reading E.
Stewart, Balto. May 9 1864, painter suggests that the acorn was painted
in 1864. (MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
3 September 1993 - Discovery
of considerable decay on the acorn. Documentary pictures taken.
Where the copper sheathing joins lead sheathing at the base of the acorn
is exposed wood. Wood appears to be pegged together. The 10
inch "donut" thing at the top of the acorn is completely loose. (MSA
S 1259-131-645)
-
3 September 1993 - Dutch Shultis,
local steeplejack, and Doug Dawson, DGS maintenance manager, discover damage
to the acorn while repairing the flagpole halyards. Acorn patched
with duct tape and caulk. The finial designed to protect and decorate
the top of the acorn is broken in half and hanging by a thread. ("Officials:
'Acorn' Patching Worked," by Bart Jansen. Evening Capital.
MSA S 1259-131-891
-
7 September 1993 - Suggestion
that the acorn be repaired before it is lost completely. Attached
photographs show amount of decay. Recommendation that if repaired,
the acorn should be fabricated with fiberglass to last forever. Letter
from Gerald Wells to Gregory Stiverson. (MSA S 1259-131-645)
-
28 October 1993 - Discovery
that the acorn and the flagpole may be falling. Suggest the removal
of the structure for a preservation assessment. Includes three documentary
photographs of that span the acorn's history. Letter
from Edward C. Papenfuse to Gerald Walls. (MSA S 1259-131-645)
-
19 September 1994 - 3 pages
of documentary photographs of the acorn and flagpole. "Appears that
the acorn may be in relatively good condition with some deterioration at
the base. It is difficult to determine from the photographs
if the acorn and base are one solid piece and the extent that the wood
may be deteriorated...It is covered with what appears to be a metal that
has been painted." Also includes preservation suggestions.
From The Maryland State
House Dome Evaluation by Ziger/Snead, Incorporated Architects.
(MSA S 1259-131-645)
-
1996 - 8 aerial photographs
of the State House Dome and the acorn. (MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
14 February 1996 - Field
Report # 3 from Ziger/Snead on the state of the Dome repairs.
Report details progress of repairs on the oval windows, balustrade, shingle
siding walls and the slate roof. Also notes that the acorn and flagpole
are not accessible without a scaffolding. Report also includes the
first page of an article from Historic Preservation Magazine titled "A
New Old State House." Article describes the transformation of the
Connecticut State House from governmental center to a museum.
(MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
13 May 1996 - Documentary photographs
of the State House dome and acorn repair taken by Orlando Ridout V (?)
(MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
15 May 1996 - Original
black and white photographs by Willie Graham, Curator of Architecture,
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, showing damage to the interior of the
acorn and a craftsman signature from 1837. (MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
21 May 1996 - Memo from Edward
C. Papenfuse to Mimi Calver reveals that the acorn and the lightning rod
are original. Research by Orlando Ridout V reveals that the original
gilt was found under the paint on the upper half of the acorn. (MSA
S 1259-131-891)
-
23 May 1996 - Summary of historic
fabric of the acorn posits that the acorn, pedestal and lightning rod appear
to be original, c. 1785-1788. Exterior of the acorn is covered with
copper panels laid with horizontal courses secured with the original copper
fastenings. Copper sheathings on lower portion are no longer secured
and no longer bonded to the wood armature. Wood core of the acorn
has been wet for years. Ridout and Willie Graham conclude that the
acorn is extremely fragile and no longer stable to remain in its present
condition. List of three proposed methods to remove the acorn. Memo
from Orlando Ridout V to J. Rodney Little, Edward C. Papenfuse and Jerry
Walls re: assessment of the acorn finial. (MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
30 May 1996 - Decorative acorn
needs to be removed because it may stabilize the lightning rod and the
flag pole. Original 1780s copper sheeting with the original copper
fastenings are intact. With its pedestal, the acorn stands 9 feet
9 inches, and may weigh less than 1,000 pounds. ("Trouble
at the Top," by Michael Dresser. The Sun. MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
4 June 1996 - List of items
removed from the dome for research and evaluation purposes. 1 section
of copper sheathing from the upper half of the acorn; 3 sections of copper
sheathing from the base of the acorn; 1 fragment of deteriorated wood from
the top of the acorn; 1 cedar shingle from the vertical face of the cupola;
1 curved piece of window muntin from an oval window in the dome; an array
of paint and nail samples from the acorn, pedestal and cupola. Letter
from Orlando Ridout V to James Becker, A.J. Fiorini Bros., Inc.
(MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
11 June 1996 - Memo
from Orlando Ridout V to the State House Trust re: assessment and proposed
course of action regarding the acorn finial. Discusses documentary
photographs and drawings prepared by Ridout and Willie Graham. Also
sample paint finishes and nail samples taken. Historic fabric: moisture
has corroded the fastenings from the inside out; conditions of copper panels
and pedestal also noted. Includes ideas for removal of acorn.
(MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
Illustrations: Charles Willson
Peale drawing from 1788; 4 dome drawings from 1986 HABS survey; schematic
illustration of the acorn and pedestal by Willie Graham; 2 8" x 10" prints
taken by Willie Graham.
-
12 June 1996 - Concern that
the acorn on top of the 200 foot dome may have to be removed for renovations
or replacement. Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend inspects
the acorn. ("Stains
on a 'Shrine to Democracy," by Michael Fresser. The Sun.
MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
12 June 1996 - Preliminary inspection
of the acorn conducted by Department of General Services.
-
16 June 1996 - Problems in the
State House include: dry rot found in the acorn; leaks in the roof; the
Governor's offices and the Lieutenant Governor's quarters are under siege
from wet, crumbling plaster, and peeling paint. Call for a detailed
study of the State House structure. ("Saving
the State House," Sun editorial. MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
29 June 1996 - Gamma ray inspection
of the acorn conducted by Department of General Services.
-
June-July 1996 - DGS Fact Sheet
- Decision Process Resulting in Plan to Replace "Acorn." Details
conditions of acorn, lightning rod, new acorn, and pedestal. (MSA
S 1259-131-913)
-
9 July 1996 - Memo from Gene
Lynch, Secretary, Department of General Services, to Lieutenant Governor
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend re: State House dome renovation. Memo includes
DGS recommendation to remove acorn and replace with a copper-clad wooden
one. Also includes a work flow chart and a schematic drawing of the
replacement acorn. (MSA
S 1259-131-913)
-
15 July 1996 - Notes indicate
that Gene Lynch's proposed design for a replacement acorn will consist
of 31 parts. (MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
29 July 1996 - "200 Year-Old
State House 'Acorn' to be Replaced. Maryland Craftspeople Will Help
Construct New 'Acorn'." Press
release from the Governor's Office. Explains decision to remove
and repair acorn, which has lost over 40 percent of the wood's integrity.
(MSA S 1259-131-913)
-
30 July 1996 - Article notes
that the 5 foot tall acorn is rotting inside from water flowing down along
the lightning rod. 8 layers of gilt were found in the 21 layers of
paint in the old acorn, which is held in place by 5 sets of metal wedges.
New acorn made of 32 layers of cypress wood sheathed in copper and gold
plate to be installed. New acorn will have holes in it to make it
lighter and to facilitate drainage. Also details plans for removal.
("Historic 'acorn' atop
State House will be replaced," by Bart Jansen. Evening Capital.
MSA S 1259-131-913)
-
7 August 1996 - The 5' 8"
cypress acorn is shot through with dry rot, making the 28-foot iron lightning
rod wobbly in high winds. ("New,
Mighty Acorn," Sun editorial. MSA S 1259-131-891)
-
1 September 1996 - Original
acorn removed by helicopter.
-
October 1996 - "A
Tough Nut to Crack," by William Adair. Details construction of
the new, recently installed, acorn. Last 630 sheets of gold applied
to the acorn on 11 October 1996. Includes a photograph of the newly
installed acorn with workers. (MSA S 1259-131-891)
