In 2016, Bruner/Cott completed the renovation of Dartmouth College’s Baker Library clock and bell tower. Designed in 1928 by Dartmouth College’s campus architect Jens Frederick Larson and modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the 200-foot tower is a campus icon.
The goals of the restoration project were to provide historically sensitive repairs, reduce maintenance demand, install more dramatic exterior lighting, and improve access to enable public tours of the clock tower. Careful replication of existing wood details in painted copper extends the life of difficult-to access exterior features while maintaining the towers historic aesthetic. New internal safety rails on the tower ladders allow people to safely ascend the tower to take in sweeping views of campus and surrounding mountains. The tower’s 9-foot wide, 600 pound copper weathervane was also meticulously restored and new bell ringing equipment installed for the original 17 bronze bells.
COMPETED
2017
SIZE
19,000 sf
COST (2016)
$4.7 million