PORT TOWNSEND — For almost a year, it has been under assault.
The cracks in its skin have been scraped and patched. Its arteries have been ripped out and replaced, its old bones broken and reset.
Throughout the process, its eyes have been clouded in dust, its facade shrouded in metal.
Now, Port Townsend’s historic City Hall is in recovery mode, awaiting the final touches to bring it back to life.
On Saturday, members of the Jefferson County Historical Society toured the 116-year-old landmark to see what has been done — and what remains to be done — to restore the structure to its original state.
“We want it to be as beautiful a building as it was when it was built,” said David Hero.
Hero, who led the tour with Bill Wickline, is head of the historical society’s fundraising campaign for the building, which houses the county museum.
Built in 1890, it is also still used for City Council meetings, with a new annex built for city offices.
The project budget, for which the society raised $500,000 million in grants, included money for renovation of the shell and mechanics of the old building as well as basic interior work.
But society members want it done right.
