Replicating Every Ornate & Intricate Detail

Project Profile

The Chicopee, Massachusetts City Hall was designed by Charles E. Parker and constructed between 1870 and 1871, and like in most New England towns, this historic building remains a focal point and a testament to a storied past. Since 1980, no major rehabilitation projects, beyond minor maintenance activities, have been completed on the building. However, in June 2018 the Chicopee city council authorized a major rehabilitation effort to not only address structural deficiencies, but also ensure the preservation of the building for future generations.

Beyond the structure’s beautiful stained glass windows, one enduring element is the gilded eagle that rests high atop the building’s main spire. The eagle figure is part of a weathervane that was installed at the time of the original 19th century construction. Given its 150-year age, the original eagle was found to be in dire need of replacement, but the replacement had to replicate every ornate and intricate detail of the original.

“We’re a commercial contractor in western Massachusetts,” said Mark Sullivan of DA Sullivan & Sons, Inc., the general contractor selected to manage most of the city
hall renovation project. “We had worked with Edon in the past and knew they were a reputable firm who could handle the job of replicating this spectacular piece of late 19th century sculpture.”

DA Sullivan sent Edon the original gilded eagle, from which the designers and engineers at Edon created a custom mold. Following production and approval of the mold, Edon then fabricated a brand new eagle sculpture made from fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP).

The design and replication of this eagle was truly unique, because it had to be an exact replica and provide contemporary lightning protection. Additionally there were four or five trades involved in the installation of the piece, including an electrical contractor, miscellaneous metals to support the eagle, a structural steel subcontractor, and roofers. Sullivan remarked, “And this all occurred 200 feet in the air.”

“It was really nice to work with Edon in that there wasn’t a lot of babysitting involved,” said Sullivan. “They know their stuff, and they were fantastic administratively. It was a good team experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Edon again.”

“We’ve enjoyed over a 10-year relationship with DA Sullivan, and it’s always nice to work with such a long-standing customer,” said Andrew Kleeman, president of Edon Composites. “We are delighted that Mark and his team entrusted Edon with the design and replication of such a wonderful piece of Chicopee’s architectural history.”

General Contractor: DA Sullivan & Sons, Inc., Northampton, MA
Architect: Dietz & Company Architects, Springfield, MA