Masonry Magazine July 2001 Page. 47
ONSTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
More than 100 friends and guests helped celebrate the success of the project.
"There were challenges along the way, such as developing the famous Cupola over the center of the Rotunda and making sure everyone remained on schedule," explained Forbes. Alexander Constructors' efficiency in dealing with unforeseen problems helped keep the project on schedule and eliminate costly extras.
An attractive, columned brick structure located at One Lincoln Circle in Reservoir Park, the museum overlooks Harrisburg and the state Capitol from the highest point in the city. The two-story 65,000-square foot facility was designed to replicate the construction of the Civil War period, and the entire construction process used materials that were exclusively made in the United States.
"The Cupola was designed to suggest a Civil War-era lantern and will have a soft glow that will be illuminated at night, along with the building," said George Hicks, executive director of the Museum. Construction was made possible by the support from Governor Tom Ridge and more than $16 million in funds from the state of Pennsylvania. The new museum is the only Civil War museum in the United States that represents an equally balanced story of the Civil War without bias to Union or Confederate causes.
The National Civil War Museum houses numerous exhibit galleries, a full-service dining area, a gift shop, multi-purpose rooms for educational purposes, and a collection of an estimated 12,000 documents and artifacts. The collection is estimated at a value of $16 million.
Envisioned and created by Harrisburg's Mayor Stephen R. Reed, the museum features displays that focus on slavery as a root issue that helped cause the Civil War, which is an important aspect that Reed and Hicks said had been largely ignored by other museums.
"We're not out to glorify war-we're going to tell the story of the common soldier, and of the women, blacks, and immigrants who fought and died, suffered and endured the American Civil War," Hicks said.
Current projects that Alexander Constructors, Inc. is working on include: a juvenile detention center in Richmond, VA; projects for the USDA in West Virginia and Beltsville, MD; headquarters renovations for the PA Turnpike Commission; a life science building for Virginia Commonwealth University; the Beaver Stadium expansion for Penn State University; and expansions and renovations to the Community General Osteopathic Hospital for PinnacleHealth.
Alexander Constructors provides general contracting, construction management and design-build solutions for clients throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. The company has offices in Harrisburg and State College, PA, and in Sterling, VA. The company realized revenues of $81 million in fiscal year 2000, and has expected revenues in excess of $100 million for fiscal year 2001.
NNUAL APPRENTICE MASONRY SKILLS CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
accessories supplied by NCMA member firms. All the contestants were awarded cash and tool prizes.
Brian is the son of Danny and Joyce Cook of Casar. He is a member of Morris Memorial Baptist Church in Casar and enjoys fishing and racing four-wheelers. "I'm becoming seasoned, having fun and I'm getting what I need to make it in the future," says Cook.
Finishing in second place was Michael Hartsell of McGee Brothers Company in Monroe, NC followed by Nick Waters in third place and Jeremy T. Morris in fourth-place, both apprentice brick masons from Masonry Unlimited of Cherryville.
Contest chairman and NCMA president-elect Red McAdams of McAdams Masonry in Elon College, NC praised the high level of skill demonstrated by all the participants saying, "The quality of the projects was some of the best we've seen in the years we've been holding the contest. This year's project was tougher than most of the projects we've used in the past. These young men and women did a good job."
NCMA held the first Apprentice Skills Contest for its member companies in 1982. McAdams expressed appreciation to all the participating companies, especially noting the hospitality of Triangle Brick for providing the location and hosting a barbecue lunch for everyone at the contest.
The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association has eight local chapters around the state and works to promote masonry as a career choice and as a preferred building material. Masonry contractors, suppliers to the masonry industry and other construction professionals are invited to become involved. For information call NCMA at (828) 324-1564.
The 2002 NCMA Masonry Skills Contest will be held May 18, 2002 at the new Triangle Brick plant recently opened in Wadesboro, NC.
For additional details, call Lynn Nash at NCMA: (828) 324-1464 or Pat Olson at Beam Construction Company: (704) 435-3206. Also visit the news page at www.ncma.com.