FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

A Federal facelift

Words: Jennifer MorrellOn the cover of the July 2015 issue of Masonry, you’ll see the Mason Contractor’s Association of America’s South of 40 group in front of the U.S. Capitol building. The group attended the MCAA’s Legislative Conference, touring the U.S. Capitol as well as the U.S. Library of Congress. You can read more about the MCAA Legislative Conference in this issue.

You will notice, in the cover image, that the dome of the Capitol building is experiencing a facelift of sorts — in fact, a total restoration. It’s a sight to behold, indeed. Although the dome of the Capitol is made not of masonry, but of cast iron, it has been an interesting transformation to follow.

The dome was constructed more than 150 years ago. Although restoration did take place between 1959 and 1960, weather and sheer age have caused cracks and damage that warrant another full restoration.

Prep work for the project began in January 2014. A canopy system was installed inside, in the Capitol Rotunda. Outside, a scaffolding system surrounds the exterior of the dome. This includes scaffold bridging that was constructed on the west-front side of the Capitol building, so workers can transport materials and move back and forth safely.

Masonry will be on site in Washington, D.C., in November to attend the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Stay tuned for more images documenting the makeover of the U.S. Capitol building’s star characteristic, the dome.
 0
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara
Business Management
Read More
Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Read More
Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More