Massachusetts State House Dome
Boston, MA
Charles Bulfinch designed the dome which crowns the Massachusetts State House. When built in 1798, the dome was shingled — not gold. After a few years, the dome began to leak in rain and snow, so the company of Paul Revere was hired to cover the dome with copper to make it watertight. The dome was first painted gray and then light yellow before being gilded with gold leaf in 1874. During World War II, the dome was painted gray once again, to prevent reflection during blackouts and to protect the city and building from bombing attacks. The dome was re-gilded in 1969.
In 1997, EverGreene worked with M.L. McDonald to re-gild the dome in 23.75 karat gold after stripping, prepping, and priming.
