Sedalia's iconic Bothwell Lodge gets a makeover…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 24, 2024 - Visitors travelling through Pettis County along Highway 65 may notice a change to an imposing structure that has become an architectural landmark in Sedalia - the historic Bothwell Lodge.

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site will soon undergo some major changes, according to Missouri State Parks Director David Kelly. The changes, although visually noticeable, will bring the lodge's roof back to what it originally looked like almost 100 years ago.

"The lodge's current roof needs replacement due to its age. While the change will seem dramatic, it will be bringing it back to what it looked like when it was originally built," Kelly said.

The new roof of the historic Bothwell Lodge will feature a red and gray diamond checkerboard pattern, which will likely draw a lot of attention from the public, Kelly said, as the roof's current color has faded to a dull gray.

The project, awarded to Missouri Builders Services of Jefferson City, includes removing the current asbestos shingles and replacing them in accordance with Missouri Department of Natural Resources Air Pollution Control Program requirements. The replacement shingles are a 50-year polymer-based shingle used to match the lodge's historical look. In addition to the shingles, roof decking, fascia, copper flashing and ornamentation items that have exceeded their useful life also may need to be replaced or repaired.

"Most people only remember the roof as it is now," Kelly said. "We have done extensive research and used photos to match what will be the new color and pattern. While the change will be striking, it will actually look more like the original roof."

Work is scheduled to begin Nov. 4, and during the removal of the roofing, the part of the park north of the day-use area that includes the historic Bothwell Lodge, as well as the site office/visitor center, will be closed to the public. Lodge tours will not be offered and the site office/visitor center, along with the surrounding grounds, will remain closed to the public. Once the work is completed and the area is safe for visitors to return, that portion of the historic site will reopen to the public.

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site is located 19349 Bothwell State Park Road in Sedalia.

For more information on Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.