Dome Restoration Project

The United States Capitol Dome, symbol of American democracy and world-renowned architectural icon, was constructed of cast iron more than 150 years ago.

The restoration project consisted of repairing more than 1,000 cracks to make the Dome watertight and included the restoration and replacement of cast iron and ornamentation. The exterior paint was removed and new layers were applied to protect the dome from corrosion and effects from the elements. The project required scaffolding around the exterior of the Dome, as well as in the Rotunda.