Restoration and Conservation of Historic World War II Honor Display
- Department: Board of Supervisors
- Deadline: August 26, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
BOONE COUNTY, IOWA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Restoration and Conservation of Historic World War II Honor Display Proposal Due Date: 8/26/2026
Contact:
Boone County Board of Supervisors Boone County Courthouse
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036
Phone: (515) 433-4935
Email: sbryant@boonecounty.iowa.gov
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Boone County Board of Supervisors is soliciting proposals from qualified restoration professionals, conservators, artists, or firms experienced in the preservation and restoration of historic painted wood artifacts to perform restoration work on the Boone County World War II Honor Display located inside the Boone County Courthouse.
The County seeks to preserve this important historical memorial while maintaining its original appearance, craftsmanship, and historical integrity.
Project Background
The World War II Honor Display is a hand-painted wooden memorial that has been displayed in the Boone County Courthouse for many decades. The display commemorates Boone County residents who served during World War II and features:
- Hand-painted names of service members
- Decorative floral artwork
- American flag shields
- A carved or painted bald eagle
- Historic painted finishes
Due to age, normal wear, fading, minor paint loss, and surface deterioration, portions of the display require restoration.
The County's intent is not to create a "like-new" appearance but rather to carefully preserve the original artwork and character while improving legibility and preventing further deterioration.
Scope of Work
The successful proposer shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, and expertise necessary to perform restoration work including, but not limited to:
- Assessment
Conduct a detailed assessment of the display including:
-
- Painting condition
- Wood condition
- Areas of paint loss
- Surface deterioration
- Previous repairs (if any)
- Recommendations for treatment
- Cleaning
Perform gentle cleaning using conservation-approved methods to remove dirt, soot, and contaminants without damaging original paint or finishes.
- Paint Conservation
Restore deteriorated painted surfaces through conservation methods including:
-
- Stabilizing loose paint
- In-painting areas of paint loss
- Color matching existing artwork
- Retouching faded decorative elements
- Restoring lettering where necessary
Original brushwork and artistic style should be preserved whenever possible.
- Preservation
Protective coatings, if recommended, shall be reversible and compatible with future conservation work.
- Documentation
Provide:
-
- Written description of work performed
- Before and after photographs
- Materials used
- Maintenance recommendations
Preservation Philosophy
The County desires a conservation-based approach rather than complete repainting. The successful proposer shall:
-
- Preserve original artwork whenever feasible.
- Retain the historic appearance and age of the memorial.
- Avoid over-restoration.
- Match existing colors and brush techniques.
- Respect the historic character of the display.
- Use methods that are reversible whenever practical.
Proposal Requirements
Proposals shall include:
Company Information
-
- Business name
- Contact person
- Address
- Telephone
- Email Cost Proposal Provide:
- Lump sum price or
- Hourly rates with estimated total project cost Identify any optional services separately.
Schedule
Include:
-
- Estimated start date
- Estimated completion date
Site Visit
Interested proposers are encouraged to schedule an on-site inspection of the display prior to submitting proposals.
Appointments may be scheduled through the Boone County Auditor's Office.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals may be evaluated based on:
-
- Qualifications and experience
- Demonstrated restoration expertise
- Understanding of historic preservation
- Proposed restoration methodology
- References
- Cost
- Project schedule
The County reserves the right to interview finalists before making an award.
County Rights
The Boone County Board of Supervisors reserves the right to:
-
- Reject any or all proposals.
- Request additional information.
- Negotiate with selected proposers.
- Accept the proposal deemed to be in the best interest of Boone County.
Selection will not necessarily be based solely upon the lowest cost.
Insurance
The selected contractor shall provide proof of liability insurance prior to beginning work.
Questions
Questions regarding this Request for Proposals shall be submitted to:
Boone County Board of Supervisors
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036
The Boone County Board of Supervisors appreciates your interest in helping preserve this important piece of Boone County's history for future generations.
