Fundraising underway for historic Burlingame cupola

“This is a real piece of Burlingame history. It’s important to be able to look back and preserve Burlingame history. We don’t want it to disappear,” he said. 

Burlingame’s original City Hall was built in 1914 by architect Charles Peter Weeks. The red-bricked structure was topped with the cupola that now sits in that original location on Park Road, bordered by the Pet Food Express and Apple Store. 

While the City Hall was demolished in 1970, activists unsuccessful in preserving the building successfully salvaged the now-monument, according to a fundraising page for the cupola. 

It was restored and repainted once in 2012 by the Burlingame Historical Society — a group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining the stories and artifacts of Burlingame’s past — Cohen said, as the cupola requires maintenance to remain.

“It needs to be repainted, just like any other structure. That’s what we’re raising the money to do right now,” he said. 

Currently, a quote has been approved for the project and a painting contractor is in the process of applying for city permits to complete the work, Laura Hesselgren, a representative for the Parks Forever Foundation, said. 

Whatever funds are not raised from the community’s endeavor will be guaranteed by the Burlingame Parks Forever Foundation, Hesselgren said. Currently, $1,550 from six donations has been raised of the $6,000 goal, according to the fundraising page. 

Ultimately, the Burlingame Historical Society is committed to the town’s preservation, holding on to several items from the demolition of the original City Hall, including some of the doors. 

“It’s important for the historical record. That’s what the historical society is all about, really,” Cohen said. “Plus, it’s fun to look back and see what was here.”

The Historical Society museum’s reopening will be held the first Friday in December. Go to https://donorbox.org/support-burlingame-parks-and-recreation-2?utm_medium=qrcode&utm_source=qrcode to donate.