PORT TOWNSEND – A flag raising ceremony is planned between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday to commemorate the completion of the rehabilitation of the Jefferson County Courthouse clock tower.
Attending the ceremony will be state Reps. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, and Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, as well as state Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks, who is attending on behalf of Gov. Chris Gregoire.
A letter from U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, will be read at the ceremony hosted by the Jefferson County commissioners.
A marching band comprised of Jefferson County students will play during the ceremony.
The public is invited the ceremony at the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
The courthouse was designed by Seattle Architect Willis Ritchie and was constructed in the heyday of Port Townsend’s role as the port of entry for Puget Sound.
The structure has been in continuous use since it was completed in 1892.
During routine inspections in 1998, deterioration of the 124-foot clock tower was noted.
Although a structural evaluation determined that the strength of the building was within acceptable limits, a program was launched at that time for a retrofit of the landmark.
Years of project development and fundraising ended with the work being completed over the last year.
The portion of the clock tower above the roof was at highest risk from severe wind or a seismic event, and has been the primary focus of this rehabilitation project.
The main courthouse structure, including the lower clock tower, may be upgraded in the future.
The historic clockworks is now refurbished and is back in service, tolling the hour as it has done since 1892.
One goal of the project was to upgrade all building elements while the high scaffold access was in place.
Architectural Resources Group served as architect, Degenkolb Engineers as structural engineer, and Drury Construction Company as general contractor.