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Woodstock Museum cupola undergoing restoration

Posted on Wednesday May 01, 2024

Work is underway to restore the cupola on the roof of the Woodstock Museum.

Constructed in 1853, the historic town hall served as a market, public assembly hall, fire hall, police lock-up, council chambers and municipal offices for more than a century. It was designated as a national historic site in 1955.

Today, the building and museum are owned and operated by the City of Woodstock.

“The cupola is one of the defining characteristics of the Old Town Hall,” said Karen Houston, Manager of Culture and Museum Curator. "Many 19th municipal buildings in Ontario adapted British architectural trends. The Italianate Revival style was popular at the time and includes classical elements like the domed roof-top structure.”

The building underwent extensive restoration work from 1980 to 2000. The wooden roof was also replaced in 2018, but the cupola has remained untouched since the original restoration was completed.

“There is rotten wood on the outside of the cupola and some dry rot inside, which is to be expected after more than two decades. Maintaining and preserving a heritage building is truly an ongoing process,” said Houston.

The restoration will include waterproofing, interior structural work and refinishing or replacing exterior features including the finial, dome tiles and columns.

The Woodstock Museum remains open to the public during construction, which is expected to be completed in the summer.

Contact Us

© 2017 City of Woodstock P.O. Box 1539, 500 Dundas Street, Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7

 

Phone: 519-539-1291
Email: General Information

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