Moravian Preservation Master Plan.indb - Society for College and ...

Moravian College • Preservation Master Plan
Wood
The wood elements of the building include
ogee-molded cornices, pent roofs on the west wing,
and a gabled porch on the east wing. All appear to
be in good condition.
Other Features
The cupola on the east building has a round clock
facing west, and is topped with a metal weathervane.
Both appear to be historic.
Interior
Figure 8-310. Colonial Hall, west building, north entrance (JMA
2008).
The six-over-six double-hung windows are in
good condition and protected with aluminum
storm sash. All first-floor windows have original
paneled shutters, and most second-floor windows
have original louvered shutters. The shutters on the
east building’s south end are paneled on the first
floor and replacement vertical batten shutters on
the upper floors. Some warping is evident with the
historic shutters, but they are otherwise in good
condition.
Roofi ng and Drainage
The combined buildings have slate-clad gambrel
roofs, with a slight flare at the eaves. The roofs
drain to half-round metal gutters and from there to
several downspouts along the facades, which lead
to underground drains. No issues were noted with
the roof, gutters, or downspouts.
Masonry
Colonial Hall’s exterior is mostly South Mountain
Stone in variegated shades of gray and rust. The
random ashlar stones are laid in irregular courses
with pale brown mortar and slightly recessed
joints. A projecting stone water course runs around
the foundation at the first floor level. Contrasting
vertical stretcher bricks are set into segmentalarched
lintels above the windows. The stonework
exhibits some natural staining due to chemical
reactions with rainorthwestater. The north side
entrance on the west wing has a stone porch with
a slate deck and stairs. The bottom step has some
rising damp and mortar failure.
Colonial Hall’s interior contains lengthwise central
corridors on each floor of both buildings, with
original fireproof stairwells at each outer end and
another at the north end of the east building. The
corridors provide access to a series of small rooms
on each side. Many of the rooms in the former
dormitory wing retain their original configuration,
but others were combined to create meeting rooms
and larger office spaces. The connecting area
between the buildings houses an elevator to provide
access to all floors. The first floor has varnished slate
floors in the hallways and a room near the center
with knotty pine paneling, which was possibly a
former lounge. Some original baseboards and door
moldings are present in the hallways.
The west wing is similar in layout and appearance
to the east wing, but its finishes are modern. The
third floor was likely used as offices originally
and retains more historic fabric than the lower
floors, which were completely rebuilt in the former
two-story library space during the 1970s.
Current Use
Colonial Hall houses most administrative offices of
the College, including admissions, development,
financial aid, public relations, and offices for the
President of the College and top administrators.
Treatment
It is recommended that Colonial Hall receive
a Rehabilitation treatment. The building has
already been updated and rehabilitated and is
fully accessible. Its current use is appropriate and
its addition and alterations have been done in a
sympathetic, complementary manner. The retention
of the historic materials and details on its highly
intact exterior should be a priority in any future
John Milner Associates • October 2009 • Chapter 8 • Historic Buildings • 269