Everyone who visits the west front terrace of the Capitol will notice the change in the two light posts and the large bronze urns that sit atop the marble balustrade. They have been restored to their original dark brown "architectural bronze" patina and have been given a protective coating.

Some of the urns were manufactured by Schultz Gas Fixture and Art Metal Company of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1890 as part of the Frederick Law Olmsted design for the terrace. They were installed on the terrace by July 1891. Later, additional urns were added for a total of 18. In recent times, the urns have been removed every four years for the construction of the Inaugural stand. For much of the year, they hold leafy palms.

Over the years, corrosion turned the bronze green and black, causing loss of metal and stains on the marble. The restoration was planned after the urns were removed for the construction of the 2005 inaugural stands. After a water-blasting process removed the corrosion products, the bronze was heated and chemicals were applied to create the brown patina. The bronze was then given two coats of a special protective lacquer. They were put back in place in January 2006.

The bronze is now protected from weathering, and periodic maintenance of the coatings will allow it to retain its historic patina. The East Front bronze fixtures have been similarly restored as part of the Capitol Visitor Center project, and work will continue on nearby bronze fixtures in the future.

Years of weathering had corroded the bronze.	Conservation has restored the urns' rich patina.
A mobile crane on the lower west terrace sets a restored urn in place on the balustrade.

 --