Donation for Historical Copper Dome
Rotary Club of Cadillac awards $50,000 to restore Historical Museum Copper Dome
One June 2, the Rotary Club of Cadillac voted to award the Wexford
County Historical Society a grant for $50,000 for the express purpose
of restoring the museum's original copper dome.  By preserving the
exterior dome area first, the Historical Society will then be able to
rehabilitate the rest of the building and restore it to its original
splendor. The Historical Society is currently working on a master rehabilitation
plan, which will guide them through this rehabilitation process. As
one of 53 Carnegie Library buildings left in the State of Michigan, and
one of the more impressive structures, it was imperative to replace and
repair the dome to prevent further deterioration of the building.Â
"We are very proud to be able to help save a historic landmark in our community," said Linda Kimbel, Past President of the Rotary Club of Cadillac, Executive Director of the Cadillac Community Foundation, "The Museum hosted one of our meetings to enable all of our members to see first-hand what the project was, and after seeing what the museum has to offer my fellow Rotarians were committed to saving it."
"This grant is a true gift to all Cadillac and Wexford County residents. It is exactly the support we need to preserve this beloved community building for future generations," said Nan Taylor, President of the Wexford County Historical Society. "The Historical Society has been fundraising for this project for over five years. These funds now combined with the Rotary grant and a contribution from the Preservation Guild will make this restoration dream a reality. I hope during these dark times, this copper dome will be a shining symbol of more good things to come for this community."
This project was one of many projects submitted to the Rotary Club of Cadillac last fall during the Club's Major Project Selection process and is expected to be under construction this summer with a possible finish date in late fall.
Update 11/17/09: The work on the copper dome at the Wexford Historical Museum is nearing completion. The existing skylight is in the process of being refabricated. The sixteen glass panels will be inlaid and sealed, then a crane will lift the skylight to its perch high atop the museum. If the weather cooperates with this project, we will hopefully have the dome completed by late November.
"We are very proud to be able to help save a historic landmark in our community," said Linda Kimbel, Past President of the Rotary Club of Cadillac, Executive Director of the Cadillac Community Foundation, "The Museum hosted one of our meetings to enable all of our members to see first-hand what the project was, and after seeing what the museum has to offer my fellow Rotarians were committed to saving it."
"This grant is a true gift to all Cadillac and Wexford County residents. It is exactly the support we need to preserve this beloved community building for future generations," said Nan Taylor, President of the Wexford County Historical Society. "The Historical Society has been fundraising for this project for over five years. These funds now combined with the Rotary grant and a contribution from the Preservation Guild will make this restoration dream a reality. I hope during these dark times, this copper dome will be a shining symbol of more good things to come for this community."
This project was one of many projects submitted to the Rotary Club of Cadillac last fall during the Club's Major Project Selection process and is expected to be under construction this summer with a possible finish date in late fall.
Update 11/17/09: The work on the copper dome at the Wexford Historical Museum is nearing completion. The existing skylight is in the process of being refabricated. The sixteen glass panels will be inlaid and sealed, then a crane will lift the skylight to its perch high atop the museum. If the weather cooperates with this project, we will hopefully have the dome completed by late November.