The Golden Dome
by AutumnSpectacle.com staff

Sitting atop the Main Building – shining in the sun, glowing at night – the Golden Dome rises as a beacon out of the Midwest proclaiming the presence of the University of Notre Dame and reminding college football fans everywhere of the independence and storied history of the Fighting Irish.

In 1879, the Main Building was destroyed by fire.  The dedication and commitment of Father Edward Sorin, founder of the University, was expressed in these words: “Tomorrow we will build it bigger and, when it is built, we will put a gold dome on top with a golden statue of the Mother of God so that everyone who comes this way will know to whom we owe whatever great future this place has.”

Due to the perseverance of Sorin, the Dome was added to the Main Building in 1883.  In the midst of considerable controversy, it was gilded rather than painted.  Gilding is more durable than painting, and it only needs regilding every 15-20 years.  Applying a gold leaf three millionths of a meter thick, only eight ounces of 23-carat gold were needed to cover the Dome at its recent re-gilding in 1988 – the year the Irish last won the national championship.  The Dome was regilded in 2005.

Illuminated by an electric crown and crescent, causing it to glow in the dark, the statue of Mary adorns the top of the Dome.  The statue is 19 feet tall, weighs 4,400 pounds and its top is 225 feet above the ground.

On campus, the Dome is cherished and revered. Students and alumni are known as “Domers,” those who obtain their master’s degree at Notre Dame are “Double Domers,” the football helmets are gold in honor of the Dome and it has always been the focal point, centerpiece and signature landmark.  In 1925, Rev. J.W. Cavanaugh, University President, said, “The truth is that the Dome upon the Administration Building assembles all the other buildings on campus around it and contributes to each a dignity which, otherwise, it would not possess.”

During home game weekends, the Dome serves as backdrop for pre-game activities.  The night before the game, “midnight drum” takes place in front of it, with chanting and the drum corps. As gameday unfolds, ND die-hards congregate under and around the Dome and as kickoff nears, the Band of the Fighting Irish “steps off” from the Main Building, marching through the crowd and into the stadium – followed by the Irish faithful.

And outside the campus community, the Dome has come to be regarded as emblematic of the University itself, an identifying symbol recognized across the nation.

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