If you planned on taking a nice, scenic photo of the U.S. Capitol, prepare to see uniformed workers, scaffolds and hanging platforms coming from the sky in the pic.
No, it’s not a takeover, the historic Dome is getting a fresh coat of paint -- just as tourism season kicks into high gear.
It will take crews about five months to complete the cosmetic touch-up. But it’s been eight years since the Dome has been painted. New coats of paints help preserve and protect the exterior cast-iron surfaces.
Meanwhile, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) will be checking out the Dome for a major makeover. It's been half a century since the last one.
Future restoration plans include removing old paint from the Domes exterior, according to the AOC. Cracked and broken ironwork will be repaired or replaced, and then it will be resealed and repainted using an epoxy and urethane paint system, the AOC said.
“The U.S. Capitol Dome is iconic and is the most recognized symbol of our government,” said Stephen Ayers, the current Architect of the Capitol. “In 1793, President Washington had insisted during the original construction of the Capitol Building that it demonstrate the permanence of our federal government. We take great pride in our mission to preserve the Capitol Building to ensure that it continues to stand for generations to come.”
The painting project is scheduled to be completed in November this year.
