#TBT in the Archives 2/23/17: Old Main facelift

When Old Main was constructed in 1871, it was the only building of the newly-chartered Cumberland Valley State Normal School. During the next century, it consistently contained dorms and offices as well as classrooms, dining facilities, and after a renovation around 1902, a chapel.

The reception hall in Old Main in 1923-1924.

The chapel as it appeared in the 1920s.

By 1976, Old Main had been in service for more than a century, and it was in need of a renovation. In early December 1975, state officials decreed students move out of Old Main and Horton Hall immediately because they "violate(d) state regulations for fire protection." The buildings were wooden structures, and didn't have sprinkler systems. Shippensburg State College appealed and in January 1976 got permission to continue using both buildings for dorms until June. Safety measures were put in place to ensure student safety.

According to The Slate, student fire guards patrolled the halls of Old Main every night from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and reported to campus safety officers every half hour. Additional fire extinguishers were installed.

When students moved out of Old Main for the last time in June 1976, college officials planned to renovate the building and move administrative offices there. By the early 1980s, the university launched a capital campaign to get the project off the ground. Pennsylvania allocated $3.7 million for renovations, and officials estimated that $1.9 million more was needed.

Scaffolding covers the side of Old Main in the spring of 1984.

The campaign was a success and work began in 1983. Exterior updates included a new slate roof, repointing and re-mortaring the bricks, and a new paint scheme - beige and brown. Additionally, a new weather vane featuring "1871" was placed on the tower.

A crane is used to repaint the tower in September 1983. The new weather vane was installed Nov. 19, 1984.

Inside the building, the first three floors were completely updated - new wiring and plumbing, new heating and air conditioning, updated telephone system, and an elevator. Plus the chapel was restored to its 1920s appearance including stained-glass windows. The whole thing was completed with new paint and reproduction furniture.

The chapel was restored to its 1920s appearance.

Administrative offices re-located to Old Main, including the President and Vice Presidents, Provost, Registrar and Admissions. The campus celebrated Old Main's next century of service with a rededication ceremony on October 13, 1985.

Want to learn more about Ship's history? Contact Archives & Special Collections via email at specialcollections@ship.edu or phone, (717) 477-1123, ext. 3357.


Sources:
Cumberland, 1986.
Old Main, capital campaign book, Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections, Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA.
Old Main, rededication book, Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections, Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA.
The Slate, December 9, 1975.
The Slate, January 27, 1976.