PSSC Ship Copper Weathervane
In 1927, the Provident Mutual Insurance Company constructed a new headquarters at the corner of 46th and Market Streets. Designed in the Classical Revival style by renowned Boston architectural firm Cram & Ferguson, the building featured a now-iconic copper weathervane crowning its central dome. Shaped as a fully rigged schooner, the weathervane served as a prominent company emblem, appearing frequently in their branding to symbolize “safe passage” and financial security. The building served as the company’s headquarters until 1983.
As part of the renovation of the building EverGreene collaborated with the Gilders Studio to restore the weathervane. The goal of EverGreene’s work was to clean, repair, and replace missing elements using means and methods that minimized visual impact and ensured long lasting preservation. Gilders Studio was responsible for the re-gilding of both the weathervane as well as the dome itself.
The weathervane was hoisted off the building and transported to EverGreene’s Maryland studio for treatment. The surface had oxidized to a cupric green and there was major loss to the gilding. Select elements were also found to be either missing, fractured, or displaced. Treatments were as follows:
- Cleaning of overall soiling using water jetting followed by detailing with bronze brushes and abrasive pads.
- Replication and replacement of missing copper elements in kind, including the foretopsail and two rigging lines
- Repairs to broken elements using solder
- Application of a protective lacquer
- Patination of the solders and repairs to match existing cupric green appearance
Gilders Studio subsequently re-gilded the hull, sails, and other elements before the weathervane was hoisted and reinstalled atop the building. All phases of treatment were thoroughly documented and presented to the client in a comprehensive final report, which also included maintenance recommendations to support the long-term preservation of the weathervane.
