Join us for a presentation on the rehabilitation of the historic clock tower located in Westminster, Maryland.

The historic clock tower, which sits atop a now-retired 3-story fire engine house, is a beloved landmark for small town Westminster, Maryland. The nearly 130-year-old structure provides a glimpse into Westminster’s rich past but also plays a major role in the daily routine of many residents. What was the City to do when the clock tower showed significant signs of structural instability and distress due to decades of water-related damage? Could they afford a major rehabilitation project to revive the historic icon? Or would the clock tower be demolished to avert the serious risk of the structure collapsing onto bustling Main Street below?

The solution included a collaborative effort between key City personnel, a local engineer, and a restoration contractor that was the only company willing to bid (and undertake) the complex project. Oh, and $1,000,000 in funding from Uncle Sam and the State of Maryland. Faced with the rehabilitation of the severely deteriorated and unstable structure and understanding the goals of the City to increase durability, the design focused on preserving the visible (exterior) aesthetics. In essence, the skin of the structure remained mostly unchanged, while the bones were upgraded. The project included many facets of large historic restoration projects but was isolated to a 14’x14’ area. Countless construction materials were incorporated in the rehabilitation (e.g., wood, structural steel, aluminum, copper, brick, concrete masonry, grout, slate, EPDM, PVC, fiberglass, glass, coatings, etc.) which complicated coordination of the trades.

All-in-all, the project was hugely successful and was celebrated by the City with a public clock tower re-opening party along Main Street. The efforts of the key project team were memorialized by an engraved bronze plaque.