Green County Courthouse
Monroe, WIThe Green County Courthouse, located on Courthouse Square in Monroe, Wisconsin was built in 1891 in the Richardson Romanesque style from red brick and limestone. The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Work included
- Restoration of the natural slate roof, and related Copper finials and flashings
- Restoration of the architectural sheet metal cornice, copper gutters and downspouts
- Restoration of the brick and limestone exterior, including replacement of structural steel architecture at round turrets
- Restoration of the turret and clock tower spires, included restoration of clock faces and mechanicals
- Extensive carpentry repair/replacement& shoring related to masonry repairs.
THE CHALLENGE
The two-and-one-half story building is built from red brick and limestone, the typical building materials of Romanesque architecture. A 120-foot clock tower rises from the southwest corner of the building and smaller towers mark the other three corners. Limestone porches on the east and west sides cover the courthouse's two main entrances. Both the entranceways and the north and south side windows feature heavy limestone arches, a common Romanesque feature.
The building had several challenges including the cornice sheet metal was rusted out in several places, and the brick backup was falling apart due to water infiltration behind the cornices. The brick backup was also falling apart on the tower and gables.
THE RENAISSANCE SOLUTION
While performing the roof restoration it was determined there was major damage to the masonry of the entire courthouse which needed to be repaired for the safety of everyone entering or walking near the building. Using our years of experience we were able to create a solution for the masonry.
The first step was to identify how much masonry was going to need to be repaired/replaced and the second step was to make sure the client was impacted as little as possible since the courthouse had to remain open during the entire restoration operation.
THE STUNNING RESULTS
The end result is to return the courthouse back to the county and community in a revitalized condition, requiring minimal maintenance for years to come.
Renaissance was awarded the 2024 North American Copper in Architecture award for the copper work on the Green County Courthouse.
