Restoration of the Gold Dome
For more than 100 years, the gold dome atop the old Farmers and Mechanics Bank has stood watch over the intersection of Wisconsin and M streets in the center of Georgetown. As with most things a century old, time and weather have taken their toll on the gold dome, prompting PNC Bank, the current owner of the building, to have it re-gilded.
“This is such a landmark space for all of Washington, D.C., and we wanted to do it right. It was not a space that we were going to do kind of half-dollar. We wanted to make the right investment for a landmark space that we have here in Washington, D.C.,” said Jermaine Johnson, regional president of PNC Bank.
The process of re-gilding the dome is delicate, painstaking, and expensive.
Expert Craftsmanship
Gilders Studio, a locally-owned company known for its work around the world, is tasked with re-gilding the dome. The artisans at Gilders Studio are specially trained in the time-honored technique of gilding.
Kramer, a gilder with over 40 years of experience, expressed his pride in working on this project: “We’re native Washingtonians and we have looked at this dome for years, and when it started to deteriorate, you know, 10-15 years ago, we really thought, ‘We really want to do that, and we’re so happy that we were able … to do that, and it’s here in D.C. It’s local.”
Pure Gold Leaf Application
The gold leaf being applied to the dome is 99% pure gold, specially made in Italy for this project. According to Kramer, the gold leaf translates to about a third of a gram of gold per square foot. Each square foot of gold leaf costs about $60.
Kramer also highlighted the use of specialized tools in gilding, such as a squirrel hair brush that costs over $100. This brush is gentle on the gold leaf and prevents scratching.
Previous Landmark Projects
Having worked on various D.C.-area landmarks in the past, including Union Station and the Mormon Temple, Kramer and his team at Gilders Studio bring a wealth of experience to the restoration of the Georgetown bank’s dome.
The scaffolding around the dome is set to be removed soon, revealing the beautifully re-gilded gold dome that will once again shine as a beacon in the heart of Georgetown.
Adding insight:
It’s interesting to see the dedication and expertise of artisans like Kramer and the team at Gilders Studio in preserving and restoring historic landmarks. Their commitment to quality craftsmanship ensures that these iconic structures continue to be cherished for generations to come. The use of pure gold leaf and specialized tools in the re-gilding process showcases the meticulous attention to detail that goes into such restoration projects.
