The Soderholms help build cupola for The Natick Center for the Arts.

“In late summer of 2004 I was approached by Jay Ball, Natick Selectman, to ask if I would assist and lead the building of a new cupola for The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN) which had recently been relocated to the old firehouse on Summer St. The original cupola had, I believe, been destroyed in the hurricane of 1938.

I agreed to help if the build could take place at our current job location, a new home for the Wards in Wellesley. Over the course of 6 weekends in the fall of 2004, I along with a revolving cast of volunteers, constructed the new cupola. It was 9’ square on each side, 12’ high, and weighed over 3 tons.

It was then transported (with police escort!) to downtown Natick where it was lifted by crane to the top of the fire hose tower, where it proudly stands today.

Managing a team of volunteers with varying levels of skill was a particularly enjoyable challenge. Materials were all donated by various local businesses. A truly fun civic project.”

– Ken Soderholm