Historic McCray Hall gets needed repairs

During the summer months, the campus often looks like a construction zone as crews try to do as much maintenance and repair as possible while most of the students are gone. One project that began this summer and will continue even after students return later this month is a major renovation of McCray Hall, one of the university’s oldest buildings.

McCray Hall, which houses the Department of Music, is undergoing the restoration and repair of its windows, exterior doors, air conditioning systems, ceilings, lights, and ductwork. Improvements are also being made to the roof and exterior brickwork through tuckpointing and the replacement of some tiles. The six-month project began in early June.

The projected $2.5 million cost for the work is being funded by deferred maintenance money awarded by the state. PSU Facilities Planning Director Paul Stewart said that although multiple other restorative projects are going on across campus, money has been reserved especially to complete the full project at McCray.

“One of our goals was to maintain the building so that it is being restored back to what it was,” he said. “The building continues to maintain its original intention, which is significant for historical purposes.”

McCray Hall was built in 1929, designed specifically to be the first separate home of the Music Department. It was known as Music Hall until 1961, when it was rededicated as McCray Hall. It was named after Walter McCray, the second chairman of the department from 1914 until his retirement in 1947.

Stewart said the renovations would have begun weeks earlier if not for a fax machine error that misidentified the lowest bidder. When he contacted Pittsburg-based Home Center to let them know their bid had won, they quickly rearranged projects and mobilized a crew to begin work immediately, action Stewart believes signifies the importance of the building. Classes are being held in the building this fall while the work continues.

McCray’s “sister” buildings, Russ and Porter Halls, are also getting some restorative work. Repairs to the exterior of Russ Hall were completed this summer. Work on Porter Hall will begin in the summer of 2009.

---Pitt State---