Seelye Hall Cupola Restoration

General Contractor

Daniel O'Connell's Sons
Holyoke, Massachusetts

Mahan Slate Roofing Co., Inc. was selected for the restoration of the historic copper cupola atop Seeley Hall at Smith College due to its reputation for historic restoration work. Upon initial investigation, significant deterioration of the underlying wood substrate was discovered, making in-place restoration impractical. To properly restore the structure, the entire cupola was carefully removed by crane and transported to Mahan’s facility.

Once in the shop, the cupola was fully dismantled and meticulously templated to preserve every original profile and dimension. The cupola was strategically redesigned to be reinstalled in three sections — the pedestal, main body, and cap — while maintaining its historic appearance. Over a two-and-a-half-month period, the team restored the copper cladding using 20-ounce-thick copper, replicating the original detailing through traditional fabrication techniques, ensuring both historical accuracy and long-term durability.

Once complete, the three cupola sections were transported back to the site and carefully installed, restoring a prominent architectural feature of the building.