The Former Cupola
The Worthington Meeting House cupola is a Victorian architectural feature that once stood atop the building during its years as Berlin’s town hall and school. After decades on the ground, it has been restored and placed on the Worthington Meeting House campus grounds as a permanent display, where it helps illustrate the site’s layered history.
The meeting house cupola, a Victorian-era addition, was likely installed sometime after 1850 during the building’s years as Berlin Town Hall. It became a beloved feature during the building’s later use as Worthington School. Students could climb into it through a hatch in the girls’ restroom, pass through the attic, and enter the cupola, where many carved their initials.
When the building was vacated in 1974, the cupola was removed so structural work could be done on the meeting house. It then sat on the ground for fifty years awaiting restoration. The cupola was not original to the 1774 building and reinstalling it on the roof could have damaged both the roof and the cupola. Still, the decision was made that it must be preserved. Placing it on the grounds as an accessible work of architectural art proved to be the best solution.
In December 2021, restoration carpenter Nevan Carling happened to be driving by and stopped to examine it. He volunteered his time to research the cupola’s history and provide a conditions assessment and recommendations report at no charge. While he could not perform the restoration himself, he suggested contacting Justin Fink & Son. With the help of a $10,000 state contribution and additional funds from the Town’s meeting house account, Justin Fink & Son completed lead abatement, repairs using linseed oil putty, reconstruction of several corbels and other elements, and painted the cupola with linseed oil–based primer and top coats. The firm also documented all signatures and dates found on the interior walls. Connecticut Roofcrafters handled the roof shingles and copper finial work.
In 2025, Friends of the Worthington Meeting House appealed to the Town for assistance in creating a platform for the cupola on the north lawn. Once the platform was built, Saindon Crane Co. generously donated their services to move the cupola into place, where it now stands as a restored and accessible architectural feature of the Worthington Meeting House Campus.
The cupola before its extensive 2024 restoration.
The fully restored cupola before its relocation
