The Brick Wall is Done

A few weeks ago (see the January 13th blog about laying bricks), I mentioned that the masons started laying bricks for the wall that runs along the north face of Huntsman Hall. This is the wall that faces the Merrill-Cazier Library.

Last Friday they finished the wall! This is the first exterior wall of Huntsman Hall to be completely finished – OK, yes, I know they still need to take down the scaffolding, but, the wall itself is all done!

I just happened to be taking a group of visitors on a tour of the facility as the masons were finishing the wall. Because the masons did most of the wall behind a shroud (the “moving tent”), it was difficult to see how far they were progressing. It just so happened that when our tour group got to the top floor, the masons had just pulled back the shroud, and were laying the very last bricks of the very top row. We were right there with them as they did the work. It was fun to congratulate them in person.

But, as they say in late-night infomercials, that’s not all! You may have noticed that the sheet glass surrounding the NW stairway was also installed last week. The combination of completing both of these projects allows the people passing by while walking on the busiest corridor of campus, to see what this side of Huntsman Hall will look like. And it looks nice – doesn't it?

North wall and stairway

The masons have already moved around the NW corner of the building and are laying bricks on the west exterior wall. They should finish that brickwork in the next few weeks.

Ken Snyder