Restoring History: Critical Work Continues at the Old State Capitol

Historic preservation professionals assembled by Champlin | EOP are examining the inner structure of the nearly 200-year-old Old State Capitol in historic downtown Frankfort. After a partial ceiling collapse in the House Chamber, KHS moved quickly to ensure the building received immediate and expert care. Initial assessments revealed moisture-related damage in the upper chambers, prompting a deeper investigation into the health of this National Historic Landmark.

As part of that work, the team opened a sealed masonry access point in the attic—an area that had been closed off for decades. Once the non-original brick infill was removed, the team made a surprising discovery.

“We opened up some brick infill in the attic space of the Old State Capitol,” Molly Jorden, an architect with John G. Waite Associates, explained. “Once the non-original brick was removed, what we could see was largely blown-in insulation. With the help of our team moving some aside, you can see the structure of the dome—the rounded brick wall, the brick corbeling of the pendentives below, and the timber of the roof, just as you can in the rest of the attic space. But there will certainly be more to explore once we get some of the insulation out of there.”

The presence of insulation—unexpected and potentially harmful—introduced a new challenge. “I don't think we expected to find insulation. That was a curveball we’ll be working through now that we have that information. It’s definitely not helping. It’s a hindrance to the building, so we’ll be looking into that further,” added Libby Lamb, Project Manager with Champlin | EOP.

This discovery underscores both the complexity and the importance of the ongoing investigation. Further study will determine the condition of the structural and finish materials, identify the causes of visible deterioration, and guide repair strategies to ensure long-term preservation.

Like any treasured historic structure, the Old State Capitol requires ongoing, attentive stewardship. KHS is proactively planning additional restoration and preventative projects to protect this landmark and preserve its legacy for generations to come.