Liberty Hall Belvedere Flies

After months of planning and work, Liberty Hall's belvedere has been successfully flown on to the building.  

The weather was perfect.  The complex task was masterminded by Consigli Construction, John Turk, Al Hodgson, Michael Hewes, Victor and Russell Wright, and many others.  To them all, we offer our heartfelt thanks.  

The Phase 2 restoration efforts were greatly boosted by the very generous gift of $150,000 made by Warren D. "Chip" (pictured)  and Judy Knowlton.  Their gift has been used to restore Liberty Hall's signature architectural element, the ornately carved belvedere tower. 

"Nothing could be more satisfying,"Knowlton said, "than watching a restored and rejuvenated Liberty Hall move forward."

November 18th at 7.00 am sharp, Liberty Hall's belvedere and new cupola roof are scheduled to "fly".  Everything is in place to ensure a successful operation.  Jeremy Whitehouse of Consigli Construction and his team have spent weeks preparing for this moment.

Machiasport residents will gather with press, television cameras and photographers for a momentous day.  Capped by its newly restored gold leaf scrolled weathervane, Andrew Gilson's masterpiece will finally be restored to its former glory.

 Phase 2 Restoration Update

The Phase 2 restoration work at Liberty Hall is coming to a climax.  Consigli Construction are hoping to "fly" the elaborately reconstructed belvedere and new cupola in the next two weeks -- weather permitting.  

The building is now being painted.  Due to the cold temperatures, Liberty Hall has been wrapped and an interior heating system is being used to ensure that the primer and paint dry.

For more pictures, see Gallery.   

Liberty Hall's New Cupola

The roof of the cupola is now being sheathed in copper shingles by Victor and Russell Wright of Heritage Company Coppersmiths.  The new shingles will replace the wood shingles originally used on the roof when it was constructed in 1873.  Copper shingles will enhance the new roof’s durability, eliminate maintenance problems, and conform to modern building codes.  The copper will be shiny for a few months, John Turk explained, and then will become a deeper burnished color, “almost like the color of an old penny.” Eventually, it will turn to a shade of light green.

The new mansard cupola was constructed in two large matching sections and was recently assembled on the grounds of Liberty Hall.  There it was hoisted onto a platform by crane.  After it is topped with the copper shingles, it will move steeply upward, carried by an even larger crane, to the very top of Liberty Hall.  Soon the mansard roof will be capped by the original gold-leaf scrolled weather vane, recently restored, and will rest on top of the elaborately carved square arched belvedere, now also being meticulously reconstructed.