Old Main Roof Repair Update

Work by P.J Hoerr of Peoria continued through the winter to repair the roof of Knox College's Old Main. The National Historic Landmark, the only building that remains from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, was damaged in a windstorm that swept through the Galesburg area in August 2007.

The bell atop Old Main is temporarily moved aside, allowing workers to place copper sheathing on the base of the tower. It's the second time in recent years that the bell has been silenced for repairs.	A bird's eye view of the project to repair the roof Old Main.
Workers install copper sheathing on one of four crenellated towers.	The octagonal bell tower requires complex curved roof sections.
If the Lincoln-Douglas Debate were held today, Lincoln would have to crawl under plywood and over scaffolding to get "through college."	While roof repairs continue above, in the attic of Old Main, a "watchman's station" holds a mysterious key. Perhaps it secures the bell against theft or opens a secret Masonic cabinet...