Preservation Plan made possible with a grants from The Getty Foundation Campus Heritage Grants Allegheny College Prepared by Meadville, Pennsylvania P Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Consultants Landmarks Design Associates Architects Liberto Horitcultural Consulting & Design PRESERVATION PLAN ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Meadville, Pennsylvania The purpose of this plan is to outline recommendations for the preservation, conservation and continued use of the historic landscape and buildings of Allegheny College Funding for this project was provided through a Campus Heritage Grant awarded by The Getty Foundation and by Allegheny College PRESERVATION PLAN Researched, Written and Produced by: P Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation 100 West Station Square Drive, STE 450 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • 412-471-5808 • www.phlf.org Arthur P Ziegler, Jr., President Eugene V Matta, Director of Real Estate & Special Development Programs Thomas Keffer, Property & Construction Manager Louise Sturgess, Executive Director Albert Tannler, Historical Collections Director Ronald C Yochum, Jr., Chief Information Officer Consultants: Ellis Schmidlapp, Landmarks Design Associates Architects Richard A Liberto, Liberto Landscape Consulting & Design Allegheny College Administration and Staff: Dr Richard Cook, President Dr Ann Areson, Director of Foundation & Corporate Relations Jonathan E Helmreich, College Historian, Professor of History Emeritus Kenneth L Hanna, Director of Physical Plant © 2007 by Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation All rights reserved ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Contents Introduction Educational Meeting 7 History of Campus Plan The Campus – Phase I 11 The Campus – Phase II 12 The Campus – Phase III 14 History of Landscape Design 17 Identification of Historic Campus District, Structures 21 Bentley Hall and the Ravine 21 Mid-Twentieth-Century Quad 22 Main Street 23 Recommendation For National Register Listing 24 Recommendation For Campus Planning Process 25 General Recommendations 29 Building Exteriors 29 Roof Coverings 29 Cornices and exterior woodwork 29 Windows 29 Masonry 29 Railings 29 Building Entrances and corridors 29 Significant Interior Spaces 30 Landscape, Hardscape and Site Lighting 30 Trees, Plantings, and Other Landscape Conditions 30 Historic District Heirloom Plant Suggestions 32 Campus Lighting 33 Archival Resources 34 Individual Recommendations Bentley Hall And Ravine Historic Sub-District 35 Bentley Hall 37 Carnegie Hall of Chemistry 43 Ford Memorial Chapel 45 Hulings Hall 47 Newton Observatory 49 Ruter Hall 51 Upper & Lower Ravine 53 Individual Recommendations Mid-Twentieth-Century-Quad Historic Sub-District 55 Arter Hall 57 Brooks Hall 59 Reis Hall / Library 61 Walker Hall 65 PRESERVATION PLAN Individual Recommendations Main Street Historic Sub-District 67 Alden Hall 69 Caflisch Hall 71 Cochran Hall 66 Montgomery Gymnasium 75 Additional Recommendations 77 International Order of Odd Fellows Hall 79 Shultz Plaza 81 Individual Histories, Surveys, Immediate Maintenance Issues 83 Chronology of Construction of the Historic Campus 85 Survey of Specific Historic Campus Trees 86 Building Histories and Survey Forms Bentley Hall And Ravine Historic Sub-District 87 Bentley Hall 89 Carnegie Hall of Chemistry 95 Ford Memorial Chapel 99 Hulings Hall 103 Newton Observatory 107 Ruter Hall 111 The Ravine 117 Building Histories and Survey Forms Mid-Twentieth-Century-Quad Historic Sub-District 119 Arter Hall 121 Brooks Hall 127 Reis Hall / Library 131 Walker Hall 137 Building Histories and Survey Forms Main Street Historic Sub-District 141 Alden Hall 143 Caflisch Hall 147 Cochran Hall 151 Montgomery Gymnasium 153 Building Histories and Survey Forms Additional Recommendations 157 International Order of Odd Fellows Hall 159 Shultz Plaza 162 Summary 163 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Introduction Allegheny College is the oldest college studied by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation as part of the Getty Campus Heritage Studies of four Western Pennsylvania Colleges The Preservation Plan is based on an analysis of the historic structures and landscapes of Allegheny College made between October 2005 and February 2006 by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and its consultants, and as refined and revised through consultation with the college Educational Meeting The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) worked with the Allegheny College Institutional Advancement staff to set up an educational meeting on November 21, 2006 where PHLF’s staff and consultants shared with the college students, faculty, and staff the findings and recommendations of the conservation work done to date PHLF sent a draft copy of the preliminary Preservation Plan for Allegheny College to the College’s Institutional Advancement staff, and also supplied information on how to download the draft report on its website (www.phlf.com/getty) PHLF’s intention was to provide as much access to the information as possible to the college community regarding the findings and recommendations made by Thomas Keffer, PHLF’s Property and Construction Manager; Richard Liberto, Horticulturist and Landscape Designer; and Ellis Schmidlapp, President of Landmarks Design Associates Architects Professors, mainly in the field of history and art history, represented the faculty A majority of maintenance staff attended the meetings Most of the college executives, vice-presidents and deans were present, including the College President A student writer from the college newspaper represented the students; his article was to appear in The Campus, the student newspaper There were two sessions, one at 11 a.m., primarily for maintenance and staff, and a second meeting at p.m., primarily for students, faculty and executive administrators The presentation made by Mr Schmidlapp was primarily centered on a history of the Campus Plan, from 1820 to approximately 1940 General building recommendations included, but were not limited to, a history of roof coverings, cornices and external wood work, restoration of windows, decorative railings, building entries and corridors and significant interior spaces Addressed by Mr Schmidlapp were also archival resources, physical plant files and particularly Bentley Hall, the administration building Mr Keffer’s presentation focused on recommendations on structural soundness and also addressed lighting of historic campus buildings Mr Liberto addressed the issue of preservation of trees versus conservation of green/lawn areas The sessions were very well attended; the audience was very attentive, and comments on the work completed were positive The College President was pleased with the presentation and stated that once finished, PHLF’s work would assist Allegheny College in seeking other grants to complete projects and carry out some of the report recommendations This final plan outlines recommendations for the preservation and continued use of the historic landscape and buildings of Allegheny College PRESERVATION PLAN ALLEGHENY COLLEGE History of Campus Plan PRESERVATION PLAN 10 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Survey of Landscape Conditions East • Building eaves on lounge addition make it difficult to sustain plantings due to limited sunlight and rainfall • Pin oaks in excellent condition and properly maintained West (front entrance) • Lawn area devoid of trees Foundation plantings add little interest • Privet hedge and rhododendron at entrance in fair condition • Sugar maple left of entrance in declining health • Viburnum planting along side wings is sparse Plant shade and drought tolerant plants along eves North • Not applicable as area is grass only South • Barberry hedge is sparse and in decline Lawn area devoid of trees Select plantings from Historic District Heirloom Plant list palate 150 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Cochran Hall History of Design and Alterations Constructed 1905-1908 Gift of $50,000 from Sarah B Cochran Built as a College Commons with dining rooms and lounges on the first floor and dormitory rooms for 30 students on the second floor The basement contained a recreation room, bowling alleys and, at the south end, the YMCA Date unknown • YMCA space converted to bookstore, print shop and campus grill • Building used as campus activities center Dining Room c 1910 1931 Repairs to Cochran Hall delayed due to cost overruns at Arter & Caflisch 1951 First floor became a recreation center 1971 South dining room converted to campus post office 2003 - Building restored as alumni center Bowling Alleys c 1910 2005 Note: Because Cochran Hall has just reopened after a multimillion dollar restoration, no Building Survey Form has been prepared for the structure Recommendations for Maintenance for Years Through • Consider bringing overhead utility lines in underground • Consider returning rear parapet capstones to original design with the removal of aluminum coil stock Mail Lounge c 1910 Survey of Landscape Conditions As part of a recent multimillion dollar renovation to Cochran Hall, new landscaping was included, precluding the need for a landscape survey PRESERVATION PLAN 151 152 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Montgomery Gymnasium History of Design and Alterations Designed by M H Church of Chicago Placed on site of Culver Hall Placed directly opposite intersection of Bentley Drive and N Main Street 1897 Opened June 1919 Renovations and additions (extent?) 22 x 60 feet swimming pool installed in basement Gallery/running track expanded to feet wide View c 1897 Note crenellated top at tower 1949 Galley/running track removed 1955 David Mead Field House, a Quonset Hut designed building, was added to the east 1969 Leaky pool drained and floored over 1999 David Mead Field House demolished East wall of Montgomery Gym restored 1998 Building renovated to accommodate the dance program Early interior view showing running track Building Survey, Existing Historic Materials and Details Roof • Black asphalt shingle Masonry • Common bond striated brick, cleaned and re-pointed recently At least colors of mortar – grayish and reddish Sandstone base Windows • Historic wood Double sash, multipaned Monumental arch topped windows at front Cornices • Bracketed wood Beaded board soffit Entry Porches • Front risers, stoop, small entry canopy Exterior Doors • New Other Exterior Features • Corner turret Front second floor arched windows with columettes PRESERVATION PLAN 153 Entry Foyers • Main Street – Terrazzo floor, simple trim, plastered arch Principal Rooms • Gym Bay, exposed trusses, concrete floor Beaded board roof deck visible from interior • Second floor small gym with arched windows Interior Doors • At first floor entry hall and second floor Interior Woodwork • At first floor entry hall and second floor Building Code Issues With Historic Preservation Implications Exit Stairs • From basement – is a fire escape • From second floor – open stair OK for less than 50? Fire Ratings at Open Floors • Possible between main gym and second floor room Accessibility Code Issues with Historic Preservation Implications Areas of Refuge • None – One open stair to second floor Elevators • None Entry Steps • risers Main Street • accessible entry at rear – but raised stage inside blocks further access Public Restrooms • Not accessible Recommendations for Maintenance for Years Through Exterior window are in need of glazing and painting 154 Soffit repairs and painting are recommended Advise that the handrail be lengthened to full length of stairs ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Masonry on the south side is in need of cleaning Consider replacing extraneous door with a window that matches existing windows Survey of Landscape Conditions East • Spirea is in fair to good condition but planting contains voids West (front entrance) • Yews are in fair condition but highly manicured • Euonymus and cotoneaster are in fair condition Euonymous has a gall North • Viburnum is in good condition South • Cherry tree in poor condition Possibly is infected and graft is deteriorating • Red maples are in poor condition and exhibit dead wood • Foundation planting of forsythia is sparse in places but is in good condition • American holly is in good condition • Condition of viburnum left of entrance is fair and spirea located at right is in good condition Remedial pruning required on Cherry Improper maintenance of Yew shrub PRESERVATION PLAN Dogwood requires selective pruning 155 156 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Building Histories and Survey Forms Additional Evaluations and Recommendations PRESERVATION PLAN 157 158 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE International Order of Odd Fellows Hall Building Survey, Existing Historic Materials and Details Roof • Asphalt shingle – fair condition • New asphalt shingle on south wing Masonry • Common bond brick • Fair-to-good condition • Basement level at chapel is poured concrete Windows • Multi-paned wood double-hung windows • Fair condition • Stained glass at chapel wing • Aluminum storm windows have been added at some locations Cornices • Soffit and fascia have been wrapped in aluminum • Stone parapet cap at center rear wing Entry Porches • North front - story, bay-arched stone openings on first floor - Craftsman-styled posts at second floor • Center front - Tall story, arched porch ceiling, stone columns Exterior Doors • Exterior doors are modern but are set in historic multi-paned sidelight and transom openings at the three front entries • Historic woodwork is painted on the exterior and stained natural oak on the interior • The historic drawings show that all second floor porch doors were similar to the first floor in design Other Exterior Features • Recessed entries to either side of main entry • Decorative brick chimney at west side of theatre wing • Gabled dormers on west roof elevation Entry Foyers • Main entry • Terrazzo floor, marble base • Simple beamed ceiling • Faux stone walls • Decorative fireplace • Paneled and stained doors • Multi-paned doors and sidelights to entry vestibule Principal Rooms • The theatre as well as many portions of the building were not accessible No individual rooms with historic significance were evident • A decorative fireplace in a vernacular craftsman style was found in a second floor seminar room so others likely exist throughout the building PRESERVATION PLAN 159 Interior Doors • Doors are of a variety of ages and conditions • The doors and trim facing the entry lobby are original and others may exist throughout the building Interior Woodwork • Wood work is of a variety of ages and condition NOTE: Original building drawings in lobby by W Holmes Crosby, Architect, Oil City, May 1925 Building Code Issues With Historic Preservation Implications Exit Stairs • Exit stairs are well placed and exterior fire stairs have been added at previously dead ended corridors Fire Ratings at Open Floors • N/A Accessibility Code Issues with Historic Preservation Implications Areas of Refuge • None Elevators • None Entry Steps • The main entrance is risers above grade • The north front porch is risers above grade A simple wood ramp has been constructed to provide accessibility Steps within Historic Spaces • The building is stepped up the hill so each floor is divided roughly into thirds, each of which is approximately ½ level below or above the adjoining section of that floor Public Restrooms • Not accessible Recommendations for Maintenance for Years Through Restore to wood, all soffit, fascia, siding, and trim Paint as needed 160 Return the original masonry arch on the right flank to match arch on the left flank ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Remove dusk to dawn fixture and mounting from center arch and replace with appropriate fixture that will hang from center using a historic reproduction of the existing remnant of chain All windows which include over – over and 12 over 12 should be examined for operation, ease of operating, and restored as needed to original condition The addition of storm window should also be considered to add greater efficiency and less heat loss The windows should be scheduled for glazing, priming, and repainting including all trim Repair roof as needed and return copper step flashing PRESERVATION PLAN 161 Survey of Landscape Conditions Odd Fellows Hall East (front entrance) • Absence of trees along Main Street creates a disconnect between building and streetscape • Japanese dogwood and maple at entrance are excellent specimens Both may have been part of original planting scheme • Mature Norway spruce in good condition but is out of scale with architecture • Rhododendron left of entrance shows symptoms of heat and wind desiccation • Lack of hardscape leading from entrance to playground gate has resulted in an unsightly path on lawn West • Not applicable since there are no plantings in this area Continue street tree procession in front of Odd Fellows Hall North • Not applicable since there are no plantings in this area South • Lawn area contains nice grouping of mature Norway spruce, scotch pine, white pine, sugar maple and white ash Most are in good condition but show signs of damage and decline, notably the white pines Shultz Plaza Survey of Landscape Conditions • • • • • 162 Paving is deteriorated and lifting in sections creating safety concerns Planter containing magnolia is deteriorating and crumbling Plantings are outdated and in compromised health Ivy groundcover has become invasive Former fountain which is currently used as a planter has begun to deteriorate ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation For close to two years now Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation worked diligently in the four colleges selected to receive the benefits of The Getty Fund’s “Campus Heritage Grants.” Allegheny College, Geneva College, Grove City College and Slippery Rock University collaborated with Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation in the development of this work that can be used as a road map for conservation of campus heritage, historic structures, and landscape This work will become part of the school’s recorded history; how from the mid-19th century to the mid- 20th century architects and landscape designers envisioned the ideal physical environment to educate and to promote the enduring values that persist to this day Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation is honored to be a recipient of The Getty Foundation’s “Campus Heritage Grants” and to have worked with these fine schools in implementing the Getty’s mandate, and stands ready to continue working with the educational institutions should they require our services P PRESERVATION PLAN Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation 100 West Station Square Drive, STE 450 Pittsburgh • PA • 15219 • 412-471-5808 • www.phlf.org 163 164 ALLEGHENY COLLEGE