Speaker, Minority Leader Get Bird's-Eye View from the Statehouse Dome

CONCORD, NH - The Speaker of the House, Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, and Minority Leader, Steve Shurtleff, D-Penacook, who is also a Concord City Councilor, checked out the dome project, including an up close view of the eagle atop the Statehouse dome.

The project is being performed by D.L. King and Associates of Nashua. The company expects the work to be completed this November. The project includes restoring the wood, repainting the white base, re-gilding the dome with gold leaf, and installing spikes to deter birds, according to Jim Rivers, the director of House communications/policy.

“It was truly a privilege to be able to see the work that is being done up close,” said Jasper in an email. “The time and effort that the project managers have taken to ensure the safety of the workers is also impressive. After being able to actually reach out and touch the dome and the eagle, it was easy to see how necessary this project was to preserve this historic part of the Statehouse.”

Shurtleff added, "It was a tremendous opportunity to be at the top of the Statehouse and to actually touch the the Statehouse eagle, especially for a Concord native. I greatly appreciate Speaker Jasper asking me to join him."

An eagle has been on the top of the Statehouse since 1819, Rivers noted in a press statement. It was originally made of wood from a butternut tree with its wings and head hinged with wooden pegs. In 1957, it was replaced by a copper replica, gilded with gold leaf. It stands 150-feet above the ground. The eagle weighs 250 lbs. and stands six and a half feet tall.

Jasper noted that with the bicentennial of the Statehouse coming up, the dome project was perfectly timed.