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Old Main Restoration Old Main was constructed in 1857 in the collegiate Gothic style. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark by the W.S. Department of the Interior and remains as the most significant structure on the Knox College Campus. Old Main is the only remaining site of one of the 1858 senatorial debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. Today Old Main houses; administrative and faculty offices, classrooms and public meeting spaces. The primary focus of this project included extensive masonry restoration of all brick and local limestone surfaces. Last restored in 1935, the building shell was showing significant problems including spalled and fractured brick, spalled limestone, deteriorated mortar, open stone joints and discoloration due to an application of paraffin wax sealer. Scaled rectified photographs were secured to document scope of masonry restoration work. Bedding and pointing mortar samples were taken and laboratory analyzed to determine original proportions and aggregate gradations. The original lime mortar mix was replicated for all new work. Where brick replacement was necessary, a handmade brick was used of color, size and hardness close to original brick. Limestone surfaces were “sounded” to locate spalling and wad lanes. Limestone was groomed and replaced where necessary to match original sizes and profiles. On completion of masonry restoration, all surfaces were sealed with a breathable masonry sealer. Paint restoration included sampling and laboratory analysis of trim work to determine the building’s original coloration. The College chose not to replicate the building’s original colors. |
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© 2005 All Rights Reserved Metzger Johnson Architects, A Division of Klingner |
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