Extended Relationship Brings Long-Term Benefits to Historic College 

Project Background

• In 1826 the charter was signed for Lafayette College, named after Marquis de Lafayette, who was a passionate advocate for individual liberty, the abolition of slavery, and religious tolerance
• Classes at Lafayette College began in 1832 and were conducted in a rented farmhouse; since then, the college campus has grown to more than 300 acres with over 60 buildings
• The third project ever completed by MPS was at Lafayette’s Easton Hall; since the completion of that project in 1985—the same year MPS was incorporated—we have worked with Lafayette every year we have been in business
• MPS has completed over 200 projects at Lafayette and worked on almost every building on campus; we understand every challenge and nuance associated with preservation work in a collegiate setting
• We have completed projects during both summer months and more challenging in-semester time periods; we often work with the college to phase projects out over time to accommodate schedules and budgets

Project Challenges

• Performing quality work during time-sensitive summer break seasons
• Minimizing disruptions to campus activities, events, and standard maintenance activity
• Scheduling and managing multiple simultaneous projects at various buildings throughout the campus

Projects of Note

• Easton Hall masonry repairs; Markle Hall facade restoration; Oechsle Hall heavy masonry repairs; Gates Hall gable repairs; Van Wickle Hall entrance repairs
• Farinon College Center cast stone repairs; Williams Center for the Arts masonry repairs and cleaning; Fisher Field Stadium concrete repairs; Civil Wall Monument preservation; Chateau Chavaniac chimney repairs

Project Approach

• In all cases, MPS reviews and coordinates building repairs with appropriate Lafayette personnel to ensure consistency with the college’s ongoing Master Plan
• Effectively prioritize repair phases as part of short- and long-term budget request and planning