Providence, RI, November 15, 2017 – Martone, Incorporated announced today that it has been recognized with a Stewardship Award from Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission. The award was announced as part of the 2017 Rhody Awards for Historic Preservation, which recognize people, projects, and organizations for their outstanding contributions in the preservation of Rhode Island’s historic resources.
Martone was distinguished for the firms work on the restoration of the Rhode Island State House dome at an awards ceremony held at WaterFire Arts Center Providence on October 22, 2017. More than 300 of Rhode Island’s community leaders, business people, and homeowners, come together with preservationists, industry professionals and craftspeople to celebrate.
“It is an outstanding achievement to be recognized by leaders in the preservation community,” said founder Michael Martone. “Our team is honored that the judges believe our work makes a significant difference in preserving Rhode Island’s special places.”
Pictured below, Mike Martone accepts the award with Barbara Thornton, Partner at Brewster Thornton Group Architects and Dane Kwiatkowski, Project Manager for the State of Rhode Island.
Project Summary
The Rhode Island State House is the most magnificent building in Providence, boasting the fourth largest unsupported marble dome in the world, behind Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Minnesota State Capitol, and the Taj Mahal. Built between 1896 and 1904.
Martone’s historic restoration project originated when a roof hatch was inadvertently left open in the roof, causing substantial water damage to the large mural which spans the entire dome on the building’s interior. Titled “The Four Freedoms”, the mural depicts Rhode Island’s early history, and was completed in 1947. Portions of the sky and clouds, as well as three figures in the mural, were all but gone. The gilded molding that circles the top of the dome was also in dire need of repair.
The scope of surface preparation for the project was significant, and began with the installation of massive scaffolding. Due to the sheer magnitude of the building as well as historical significance, the project required scaffolding that reached just under 200 feet to the top of the dome. It was engineered freestanding to ensure the existing marble would be not be disturbed or damaged.
The project comprised of removing deteriorated plaster, and creating new plaster molds to duplicate originals; conservation cleaning, reattaching historic paint, and applying conservation clear; restoring gold in the moldings, medallions, and surrounding the oculus; and scraping, sanding, priming and painting missing pieces back into the mural to match the original artist’s muted color palette and staccato brush work. Multiple historic references and photographs were used throughout.
About The Rhody Awards:
Each year, Preserve Rhode Island (the statewide non-profit organization) and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (the state historic preservation office) solicit the statewide preservation community for nominations for individuals, organizations and projects that help preserve Rhode Island’s historic places. Learn more at: preserveri.org and preservation.ri.gov.
About Martone, Inc:
Founded in 1996, and based in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Martone is a recognized leader in managing complex construction, restoration, painting and coating projects across a range of commercial, industrial and residential applications. For further information, please visit: martoneinc.com