MEMORIAL HALL
CLIENT
Fairmount Park Commission

LOCATION
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

STRUCTURE
This 1876 building is one of only a few remaining buildings from the Centennial Exposition.  Memorial Hall is a large stone structure which boasts a central glass cupola and is ornamented with numerous sculptures and stone moldings.  The interior of the Great Hall contains large plaster caryatids, brackets and …and provides a grand view of the domed skylight.

CHALLENGE
S. Harris Ltd. was asked to assess interior issues of the structure in 2000 and again in 2003.  In 2000, the cause of concern was the severe deterioration of a particular large plaster bracket and caryatid.  In 2003, a portion of the plaster ceiling in the Board Room had collapsed.  In consultation with the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, Inc., we were charged with determining the causes of these problems.  Investigations had to be conducted with minimal impact to the plaster finishes.

SCOPE OF SERVICE
  • Conduct on-site inspection of the plaster deterioration and determine the integrity of the structural connections.
  • Perform and analyze video documentation of our boroscopic study to determine what of the structure was salvageable and what had suffered irreparable termite damage.
  • Provide treatment reports with cost estimates for all necessary work.
SOLUTION
  • Provided the above services, which included the treatment options for both the plaster deterioration mechanisms: one was related to the wood timber framing failure, the other to water infiltration from a decaying roof membrane.
HISTORIC STATUS
Registered as a National Historic Landmark.