Slifer House

Slifer House Cupola to be Refurbished

A drawing of the Slifer House Cupola.

January 12 , 2007

Slifer House Museum officials recently announced the receipt of a very generous donation from Winfield residents, Bill and Annette Metzger, Jr. As a result, the cupola of Slifer House Museum will soon be receiving some badly-needed restoration. Several balustrades of the exterior railing are missing or have fallen; window panes are broken, and the exterior is in desperate need of painting. The cupola is the most distinctive feature of the architectural and historical gem, built circa 1860-1862 by the Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan, for Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Bill Metzger, Jr., is President and CEO of CVC Contractors of Lewisburg while Annette serves as the Director of Personnel. The Metzgers continue a family tradition of support of the Slifer mansion. Bill Metzger, Sr., founder of CVC Contractors, and his wife Carol, as well as Bill, Jr. and Annette have served on the Advisory Board of the Museum and on various committees and have helped stage special events and fundraisers.

Museum Director, Gary Parks, was enthusiastic about the receipt of this gift, stating, “Over the past several years, there have been a number of concerned comments regarding the general shabbiness and seeming neglect of the cupola. It is gratifying that we are taking the necessary measures to assure its long-term preservation. As we seek National Historic Landmark status, the museum’s structure and its integrity will be closely examined. With this refurbishment, the cupola will stand up to the closest of scrutiny.”

The work on the cupola will commence in short order.

To learn more about the Slifer House, contact us by e-mail or call (570) 524-2245.