The Acorn
Material: Original cypress from ca. 1785-1788, covered with copper panels
Pedestal covered with sheet lead, probably from 1837
Original colors (from Charles Willson Peale drawing):
Top: gilt
Bottom: green
Pedestal: white
Purpose: To provide stability to the "Franklin" lightning rod which goes through its center. Acorns were common decorative elements in the late 18th century. In the language of the day, "sound as an acorn" meant to be without a flaw, free from imperfection, clearly something the architect of the dome, Joseph Clark, and the General Assembly, intended his creation to be.
Replacement of the Acorn, September 1996: During restoration work on the State House dome, it was discovered that the 208 year-old acorn had become rotten because of water seepage. As it too damaged to be repaired, it was decided to replace it by having 32 craftspeople from around the state make "slices" that would be used to assemble a new acorn. The new acorn was then clad in copper and gilded and painted according to the original drawings of Charles Willson Peale.
The gilding work was done by Bill Adair of Gold Leaf Studios in Washington, D.C. Mr. Adair wrote an article for the Society of Gilders Newsletter about the work that he did on the acorn.
The Lightning Rod
Size: 28' tall; 2.5" square at maximum thickness
Material: Original wrought iron
History: A prime example of lightning rod designed according to the theories of Benjamin Franklin who argued that the most effective protection from lightning was a pointed rod, preferably grounded into a deep well.
Restoration Work
The acorn has been replaced by a new one constructed of sections made by 31 Maryland craftspeople from specification supplied by the Department of General Services. The new acorn is made of cypress wood, as was the original.
The original lightning rod has been left in place and a metal sleeve placed around it for protection.
Work supervised by:
The State House Trust
The Department of General Services
The Maryland Historical Trust of the Department of Housing and Community
Development
The Maryland State Archives
Expert consultants:
Orlando Ridout V, Director, Office of Research, Survey and Registration,
Maryland Historical Trust
Edward C. Papenfuse, State Archivist, Maryland State Archives
Eugene R. Lynch, Secretary, Department of General Services
Willie Graham, Curator of Architecture, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Michele Williams, Christopher Goodwin Associates
Mark Moore, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
Susan Buck, SPNEA Conservation Center
Bill Adair, Gold Leaf Studios
Contractor: Fiorini Brothers, Inc.
Architects: Ziger/Snead Architects
Exhibit on State House Restoration prepared by the Exhibit Services Program, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, Maryland Historical Trust
Prepared by the staff of the Maryland State Archives
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Copyright Maryland State Archives