The 2019 Sparrow Lecture with Robert Baird

November 8, 2019 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

The Restoration of one of America’s most iconic landmarks, the US Capitol Dome – with Robert Baird. Special Introduction by Senator Angus King.

The 2019 Sparrow Lecture with Robert Baird image

A fundraiser to support the Mechanics’ Hall member library, our year round programming and the ongoing restorations and maintenance of this culturally significant historic building!

There are currently no tickets available for this event, but you can still make a donation.

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Image source: Architect of the Capitol

EVENT DETAILS:

Friday, November 8th, 2019

Sponsor & Patron Reception: Mechanics’ Hall Library, 6:00pm.

Sparrow Lecture: Mechanics’ Hall Ballroom, 7:00pm (doors open at 6:45pm for general admission tickets).

The United States Capitol is one of the most recognized and photographed buildings in the world. It is not only the legislative center for the United States but also an architectural treasure. The Dome, constructed of cast iron more than 150 years ago and a symbol of American democracy, was severely deteriorating when in 2016 a major restoration project began.

Leading a team of skilled craftsmen and artisans, Robert Baird of Historical Arts and Casting was given his “dream job” – the task of re-creating the scores of weather-damaged ornaments and elements from the national landmark. Hundreds of cast-iron decorative pieces – acorns, flowers, grape clusters and more had fallen off the dome and needed repair or recasting.

A natural storyteller, Baird will discuss the process of training his team of tradespeople during this historic three-year restoration project. He will share dynamic stories of the challenges they faced, images and details of the delicate ornamental castings, tales about the wildlife he and his crew encountered while working 300 feet up in the air and the pressure to complete the project before a presidential inauguration.
Baird will be preceded by a special introduction by Senator Angus King. A keen observer and photographer, King amassed a large following on Instagram of his everyday photos and observations from Washington. The US Capitol is often a muse. King will present photos from his book A Senator’s Eye (Islandport Press) and share his own experiences of this historic renovation.
Join us on the evening of November 8th at 7pm in the Mechanics’ Hall Ballroom for a behind the scenes look at this engineering marvel and how it was preserved for generations to come.

TICKET OPTIONS

Mechanics’ Patron: $500 and above - 2 reserved seats to Sparrow Lecture, 2 tickets to the pre-event reception in the historic library (hors d'ouevres provided by David's restaurant, specialty drink by Hunt and Alpine.) Name or logo on printed program.

Maker’s Patron: $150 per person - 1 reserved seat to Sparrow Lecture, 1 ticket to the pre-event reception in the historic library (hors d'ouevres provided by David's restaurant and specialty drink by Hunt and Alpine.) Name or logo on program.

General admission: $30 - general admission seating. This ticket includes lecture only at 7pm. Doors at 6:45pm


THANK YOU TO OUR CORNERSTONE SPONSORS!




SPECIAL EXHIBIT: Opening Nov. 1st

This year’s Sparrow Lecture will be accompanied by a special exhibition in the Mechanics’ Hall classroom, curated by Bruce Brown & Robert Baird. Capitol Craft will tell the story of the tradespeople who completed this restoration project through photographs by Charles Badal. Reproductions of Thomas U. Walter's original architectural drawings of the Capitol will also be on display. Join us for the opening reception during the November 1st Art Walk. Exhibit will be on view throughout the month. Images courtesy of Architect of the Capitol.

ABOUT THE SPARROW LECTURE:
Architect Thomas J. Sparrow (1805-1870) was a member of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association when in 1856, the organization commissioned him to design a permanent home for its roving library collection and a center for creativity and knowledge for its members. Sparrow’s Mechanics’ Hall opened in 1859 in the heart of downtown Portland as a thriving social hall with an extensive library, dining room, music gallery, and ballroom. Today, Mechanics’ Hall is open to the public and continues to be a vibrant cultural institution serving its original members as well as the general public with literary events, music, dance performances, kids coding programs and more. The Sparrow Lecture supports the Mechanics’ Hall member library, our year round programming and the ongoing restorations and maintenance of this culturally significant historic building.