Restoration of the Old Capitol Dome

The University of Iowa, the Pentacrest is thelocation of five major campus buildings: Old Capitol, Schaeffer Hall, MacLean Hall, Macbride Hall, and Jessup Hall. Old Capitol was the first seat of government for the state of Iowa. For more details, see the Old Capitol Museum web site.

On the left is of the building before the fire. On the right is the fire which destroyed the old dome.

Reconstruction of Old Capitol Bell Tower and Cupola in Iowa City, Iowa

Trillium Dell Timberworks was hired by Knutson Construction to replicate the original cupola and bell tower, which were destroyed by fire during restoration. Both of the super structures were built out of dry white oak, and held together completely with knife plates and other mechanical connectors. Trillium Dell Timberworks was under a fast-paced timeline to procure, design, fabricate and install the new replacement components in the fall of 2002. All design work for connections, and fabrication of the mechanical fasteners was performed by Trillium Dell Timberworks, as well as the shop work to pre-fit both entire frames at the Trillium Dell Timberworks facility. The raising was performed in tight (and very cold) conditions in December 2002, with a 15,000 LB, 120' pick for the first lift. The bell tower and cupola, built by Trillium Dell Timberworks, replicate exactly the original building first built in 1836.

Old Capitol Web Site

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Knoxville, IL 61448
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