2019 Preservation at its Best: Public Structure
2019 Preservation at its Best award winner, State of Iowa Capitol Building dome restoration
The iconic gold dome of the Iowa State Capitol has been one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks for more than 130 years. Over the course of its history, significant deterioration threatened the dome’s integrity. With funding from the Iowa Legislature, OPN Architects guided a project that involved replacing more than 12,000 interior bricks, building a barrier to protect the structure from moisture, restoring interior and exterior limestone, and building a monitoring system to assure the dome’s future for decades to come. This project is a cause for statewide celebration.
Historic image of the State of Iowa Capitol Building
Preservation Iowa’s two most visible programs are Iowa’s Most Endangered and Preservation at Its Best. These two programs work well together because being listed as Most Endangered often times leads to awareness, a preservation effort, and a high-quality, award winning project.
The full list of Preservation Iowa’s 2019 Preservation at its Best award winners includes:
- Wilkins Building (Des Moines)
- Daniel Brothers Super Service Station (Des Moines)
- Harbach Lofts (Des Moines)
- Monroe Place (Cedar Rapids)
- Siouxland Historical Railroad Association (Sioux City)
- Woodbury County Courthouse Website (Sioux City)
- Fort Des Moines Rehabilitation (Des Moines)
- State of Iowa Capitol Dome Restoration (Des Moines)
- Garst Farmhouse (Coon Rapids)
- 2019 Preservationist of the Year: John R. Snapp
