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Blair County approves $40,000 contract to restore six judicial portraits
Summary
Blair County Commissioners approved a $40,000 contract with Preservation and Decorative Arts to restore six judicial portraits; the work will be fully funded by the Blair County Bar Association and donors Michael and Astrida McClanahan.
Blair County Commissioners on Thursday approved a $40,000 agreement with Preservation and Decorative Arts (PDA) to restore six judicial portraits, with the Blair County Bar Association and donors Michael and Astrida McClanahan pledging full funding.
The agreement covers restoration of six remaining judicial portraits in the courthouse. Judge Capriva, speaking on behalf of the courts and the preservation committee, said the portraits are county property and that funding commitments were provided in writing by the Bar Association and the McClanahans.
"It is very settled that the county of Blair owns the portraits," Judge Capriva said. She also noted prior work by the same restorer: "The company is actually a woman by the name of Jacinta Crook ... She did the stenciling on the wall of Courtroom 1. She also restored the mural in Courtroom 2. So we know her work and are very confident that it will be a positive outcome for the portraits."
A commissioner asked why the county was entering the contract if the portraits had been paid for by families or the Bar Association and raised potential liability if a funding partner failed to pay. Judge Capriva replied that the portraits are part of the courthouse collection, that one portrait had been rehung on a protective platform, and that she had written assurances and emails from the Bar Association and the named donors promising to cover the cost.
The record notes that Samuel Calvin originally painted many of the portraits and that Jacinta Crook previously worked on courtroom restorations. Commissioners voted to approve the contract and requested county signature to finalize the work.
The contract award will proceed with the county executing the agreement; the restoration is funded by the Blair County Bar Association and donations from Michael and Astrida McClanahan, according to the motion presented to the commissioners.
The action does not include additional details about contract terms, timelines for completion, or formal contract number beyond the agreement description recorded in the meeting minutes.
