Old Main Roof Project Moves Ahead

Knox College is repairing the roof of its historic Old Main, following damage incurred in an August 2007 wind storm. The work began in December 2007, and is scheduled for completion in May 2008.

The College consulted with a structural engineer and with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency about the project at the 150-year-old building, the only structure remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. It was among the very first sites selected as a National Historic Landmark in 1936, when the designation was created by the federal government.

High winds that did considerable damage in the Galesburg area last August 23 buckled the roof on Old Main, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. Several pieces of masonry also fell to the ground at the southwest corner of the building.

The roof was previously damaged by a wind storm in the 1960s, and the bell tower was rebuilt in 2002.

"In planning the project, we looked at both wind shear and snow load, to make sure that a similar failure doesn't happen in the future," said Tom Axtell, vice president for finance and administrative services.

The general contractor is P.J. Hoerr of Peoria, Illinois.

	The area around Old Main is fenced off prior to the roof work beginning.
	After the old roof is removed, new beams were installed, first on the east side of the building, shown here.
	Using a lift, workers bring wood to the east side of Old Main. In the background is Davis Hall.
	Workers install new sheeting on the west side of Old Main. In the background is Seymour Union, Seymour Library and Alumni Hall.
	A worker on the west side of the roof, with the bell tower in the background.