Washington and Lee University - Calyx Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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HE Calyx 1937 - •■

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RECONSTRUCTION During the spring recess a year ago the reconstruction work began. About half of the col- lege plant was to be rebuilt inside and fire-proofed. The need for a better distribution of space, the necessity of strengthening the old buildings before it was too late, and the dramatic example of the Tucker Hall fire made this work imperative. The whole of the central unit — The Main Building and its wings — came under this program as well as part of Newcomb Hall. The stacks of the Library were to be fire-proofed also. Classes were shifted out of the Main Building for the last quarter of the year, and workmen went about their job of dismantling. Scaifolds went up and plaster and timber came down. Old George was removed from his lofty pedestal and the whole roof taken off. The Wash- ington College group was completely gutted; then steel girders replaced the wooden beams. All through the summer the work progressed. From outside it was not noticeable for the whole central building was still enmeshed in a network of scaffolding. However, when college opened this fall the rebuildmg had been almost completed. The rooms had been entirely rearranged, and what had once been bare wood floors were floors of composition. When a repaired and repainted George took his place above the columns late in the fall, the reconstruction had been finished.

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WASHINGTON AND LEE