Series 30195

Division of Facilities Construction and Management Capitol dome copper souvenir

Dates: 1981.

0.50 cubic foot

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Scope and Content

This series contains a wooden plaque with a Utah-shaped piece of copper attached to it. The plaque is 4.25 inches wide by 6.25 inches high and the state seal is painted on the copper. A label beneath the copper states "Native Utah Copper from the State Capitol Dome in Salt Lake City, 1914-1980. Limited Edition Sample Piece July 24, 1981".

A wind storm on 30 June 1980 tore large sections of copper sheeting off of the Capitol dome. The decision was made to replace all the copper cladding on the dome. Newspaper accounts reveal that salvaged copper was sent to the State Prison, where prisoners used it to manufacture souvenir plaques. The plaques were sold over the July 24 weekend for $10 a piece. Hundreds of plaques were apparently made, as the newspaper noted that 500 souvenirs had already been sold. It was reported that the Division of Facilities Construction and Management planned to apply proceeds from the sale of the souvenirs to the cost of installing new copper on the dome. It appears that the plaques were numbered and the example in the Archives holdings is stamped with the number 0004.

Access Restrictions

This series is designated as Public.

Reproduction and Use

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Related Records

Capitol projects and events photographs from the Division of Facilities Construction and Management, Series 30194, include images of damage to the Capitol dome and scaffolding set up to do repairs.

BOX	DESCRIPTION
1	Souvenir plaque;1981