News Release

Cupola Restoration Project

Date: February 19, 2021
Contact: Abbi Wicklein-Bayne, 410-962-4290 ext 201

Cupola Restoration Project begins at Hampton National Historic Site

Towson, MD-Starting this month, the Park will embark on a major restoration project to stabilize the cupola at Hampton National Historic Site. The cupola —an octagonal, dome-like structure located on the top of the mansion, borrows from the Baroque style and was a rare addition to a private residence in the 18th century, when cupolas were mainly used for government buildings.

This multi-phase project will ensure the overall strengthening of the structural integrity of the cupola by repairing the wood supports and shingles. The NPS will also install a plastic membrane to minimize future damage from the elements.  To protect the historic windows of the cupola, they will be removed, safely stored and reinstalled near the end of the project.  

“An extensive survey determined that there were many rotten shingles and other wooden elements, that needed to be replaced or stabilized,” said acting Superintendent Aaron LaRocca. “This project will fix a long-term leak that has allowed water to penetrate the third floor of the mansion.

”Visitors to the site should expect to see scaffolding on the exterior of the mansion and other construction equipment intended to create a safe construction project and limit contact with the roof maximizing the protection of the rest of the structure. There will be reduced visitor parking available in the upper lot during the project, but the lower lot remains fully open to the public.

The cupola at Hampton is primarily a decorative element but is also provided much needed ventilation in the days before air conditioning. In addition, it allowed the owners of the plantation, the Ridgely family, to oversee their estate.

For more information and updates about reduced operations due to Covid-19 please visit our main page or call 410 823-1309 x254.

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About Hampton National Historic Site:
The most northern slave plantation in the National Park Service, Hampton National Historic Site is the story of America: The Ridgely family (including a governor of Maryland), enslaved African Americans, European indentured servants and tenant farmers, built, worked, lived and died at Hampton plantation from 1783 to 1948 including the post-Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Victorian & Edwardian eras, Jazz Age, WWI and WWII.  

Located at 535 Hampton Lane, Towson, Maryland this National Historic Site  was the first site to be designated a National Park due to its architectural significance. The remaining 63 acres include many original buildings: the late Georgian-style mansion, slave quarters, lower (farmhouse or overseer’s) house, dairy, ice house, stables, formal gardens and Ridgely-family cemetery. www.nps.gov/hamp, @HamptonNPS, www.facebook.com/HamptonNPS