This project consisted of the historic renovation and restoration of Mark Twain’s childhood home in Hannibal, MO. His home was originally built in 1844 by Mark Twain’s father, Samuel Clemens. It’s currently on the National Historic Landmark and is listed on the Register of Historic Places. The house was leaning nearly 10 inches out of plumb-making this project very difficult to restore. Prost Builders solved the problem by applying pressure to the wall timbers. This action allowed the home to be cleaned up to plumb by using the pressure to move the house ¾ of an inch every other day until plumb. A restored chimney and an addition to the back of the home brought it back into conformance with the original design and size that Samuel Clemens remembered as a child, after removing other additions and changes not original to the home. To the left is the brownstone that houses the Mark Twain Foundation Museum.
Historic Renovation & Restoration Projects
Historic Renovation Construction in Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri
Prost Builders brings 75 years of experience restoring Missouri’s historic buildings. We work on government landmarks, century-old courthouses, university buildings, and 18th-century colonial structures across Columbia, Jefferson City, and Central Missouri.
Our historic renovation services include:
- State Capitol building restoration and preservation
- University historic building renovation (Jesse Hall at University of Missouri, Kirk Building at Truman State University, Dawson Hall at Lincoln University)
- Courthouse restoration (Boone County Courthouse)
- National historic landmarks (Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal)
- Memorial gardens and public spaces (Carnahan Memorial Garden)
- Historic residential and commercial buildings
Owners choose Prost Builders for historic projects because we preserve architectural character while updating buildings for modern use. We save original features like marble staircases, ornamental plasterwork, brick exteriors, and century-old woodwork. Our team has registered professional engineers on staff who solve complex structural problems in aging buildings.
We’ve completed six historic renovation projects at the Missouri State Capitol in recent years. Recent work includes restoring 100-year-old bronze entrance doors weighing more than 7,500 pounds each, renovating stained glass laylights valued at $17.3 million, and rebuilding historic pergolas with clear heart redwood lumber. In Kirksville, we transformed the historic Kirk Building at Truman State University into a Student Success Center while preserving the original marble staircase and early 20th-century brick exterior.
- Project Profile
- // Historic Renovation & Restoration
MARK TWAIN’S BOYHOOD HOME
Owner
Mark Twain Home Foundation
Build Type
Historic Restoration and Renovation
Specifications
- Located in Hannibal, MO
- General Contracting
- Project Profile
- // Historic Renovation & Restoration
MARQUETTE TOWER OFFICE BUILDING
Owner
Marquette Tower Office Building, LLC.
Build Type
Historic Restoration and Renovation
Specifications
- Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
- 55,000 Square Feet
This project consisted of the adaptive re-use and renovation of the historic Marquette Hotel which was built in 1928. The building was in the Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival Style and was slated for demolition. This 55,000 square foot hotel was turned into offices for the State of Missouri and private entities. Prost Builders used careful attention to preserve the building’s beauty and history, while also revitalizing the downtown business district. Governor Bob Holden and the town of Cape Girardeau were very pleased the historic building was saved from demolition through the restoration of this iconic building.
- Project Profile
- // Historic Renovation & Restoration
JESSE HALL
Owner
University of Missouri
Build Type
General Contracting
Specifications
- Located in Columbia, MO
Jesse Hall, the main administration building for the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, has a beautiful iconic dome that towers over the campus at 100 feet with a copper orb at the top of the dome. The paint was stripped up the dome to allow for the application of a new, shining epoxy paint finish. New aluminum windows were installed to replace the wood windows that had started to rot, and portions of the slate roof section and wood substrate were replaced. The dome is primarily made from galvanized sheet metal which had corroded in some areas. The damage was to such an extent that replacement was necessary with stainless steel metal and galvanized steel metal for a more intricate design and shape.
Frequently Asked Questions about Historic Renovation Projects
What types of historic buildings does Prost Builders renovate in Columbia and Jefferson City?
We renovate state capitol buildings, courthouses, university buildings, and national landmarks throughout Columbia, Jefferson City, and Central Missouri. Our historic restoration projects include the Missouri State Capitol, the dome atop Jesse Hall at University of Missouri in Columbia, Boone County Courthouse, Mark Twain’s home in Hannibal, and the Kirk Building at Truman State University. We work on buildings from the 18th century to the early 20th century.
How do historic renovation contractors preserve original building features?
Historic renovation requires careful planning before any work starts. We document original features like marble staircases, ornamental plaster, brick exteriors, and decorative woodwork. Our crews remove and restore items off-site when needed. For the State Capitol bronze doors, we designed custom rigging and scaffolding to safely remove doors weighing over 7,500 pounds. We preserve what can be saved and recreate missing pieces to match original materials and techniques.
Can you update historic buildings with modern systems?
Yes. Historic renovation contractors in Columbia and Jefferson City regularly install new HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and accessibility features in old buildings. At Dawson Hall (Lincoln University in Jefferson City), we added all new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems while preserving the historic exterior. At Kirk Building (Truman State University), we gutted the interior except for historic areas and added modern systems and a third floor. We work with state historic preservation offices to ensure updates meet current codes without damaging historic character.
How long do historic renovation projects take in Central Missouri?
Project timelines depend on building size and work scope. The Carnahan Memorial Garden restoration in Jefferson City took one summer. Larger university building renovations like Kirk Building at Truman State University take 12-18 months. Multi-phase State Capitol restoration projects span several years. We coordinate work schedules around building use. Educational building renovations often happen during summer breaks to avoid disrupting classes.
What makes Prost Builders qualified for historic preservation work?
Prost Builders has completed historic renovation projects across Missouri for 75 years. We’ve worked on landmark buildings including the State Capitol, Jesse Hall, Boone County Courthouse, and Mark Twain’s boyhood home. We have registered professional engineers on staff who understand historic construction methods. Our crews have specialized training in restoration techniques. We’re known throughout the state for successful historic renovation and restoration work. For project cost examples, visit our projects page.
Do historic buildings in Columbia require special permits or approvals?
Historic buildings often require approval from state or local historic preservation offices. Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places need review before major changes. In Columbia and Jefferson City, work on government buildings may need additional state approvals. Prost Builders handles permit coordination and works with preservation officials throughout the project. We understand Missouri’s historic preservation requirements and local building codes for both cities.
How much does historic building renovation cost compared to new construction?
Historic renovation costs vary based on the building’s condition and required preservation work. Some historic projects cost more than new construction because of specialty materials, careful dismantling, and off-site restoration. Other projects cost less because the structure and foundation already exist. We provide value engineering to find cost savings without compromising historic character. Our Jefferson Middle School project in Columbia saved $365,000 through innovative solutions. Contact Prost Builders for a consultation to discuss your specific historic building and budget.
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We’d be delighted to discuss your historic restoration or renovation project. Please contact us!