BAC Restoration Work Wins Preservation Award

JOURNAL: ISSUE 3 - 2012

The skilled serpentine stone restoration of West Chester University's Recitation Hall by Local 1 PA/DE and Local 5 PA pointers-cleaners-caulkers employed by Carretti Restoration & Preservation Services was honored in May by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

The academic and architectural heart of West Chester University's idyllic campus, located in the town by the same name just 14 miles outside Philadelphia, is a quadrangle of stone buildings that reflects not only the institution's 125-year history but its significance to the greater architectural heritage of the United States, as evidenced by its placement in 1981 on the National Register of Historic Places.

The buildings that comprise the historic quad are the Philips Memorial Building, Ruby Jones Hall, the Old Library, and Recitation Hall. With the exception of the Phillips, the structures were originally constructed of native Chester County serpentine stone.

Built in 1892 and the oldest of the four structures, Recitation Hall, which houses West Chester's School of Education, is especially prized for its outstanding rubble stone exterior.

A team of skilled restoration specialists from Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware and Local 5 Pennsylvania employed by BAC signatory contractor Carretti Restoration & Preservation Services, LLC (Camp Hill and Berwick, PA) brought their extensive expertise and experience to the demanding assignment of restoring the aging, weathered exterior of Recitation Hall to its previous splendor. Approximately 17 BAC pointers-cleaners-caulkers (PCC) worked on the project from November 2010 to June 2011.

Local 3 NY members on the job of the Erie County Medical Center's new $103 million Long-Term Care Facility on Buffalo's east side.	Local 5 PA member Rob Helper.

To preserve the serpentine stone aesthetic, the University directed that the salvageable stones be patched with a proprietary cementitious mortar in colors matching the existing stone that remained. To achieve this, members used several techniques in utilizing MIMIC, a non polymer single component repair mortar for natural stone, architectural concrete and terracotta, in a variety of custom blended shades of yellow and green to maintain the native character of the façade. 

The project's successful outcome not only pleased West Chester University, but garnered the attention of the historic preservation community. On May 8th, the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia honored the restoration of Recitation Hall with a 2012 Grand Jury Award. The Alliance actively promotes the protection, and appropriate use and development of the region's historic buildings, communities and landscapes of the Preservation Alliance's Preservation Achievement Award.