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Historic Entrance Stairs: Current Conditions

Historic Entrance Stairs - 2.0

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The current design includes two vaults, basically making the Central Stairs a “bridge,” as opposed to the more traditional staircase design where stairs sit on ground. These pictures show the current issues: the steps have shifted, making them uneven; the brick walls are separating, cracking, losing their caulking; the granite capstones also are affected.  Much of these problems are directly caused by water intrusion – which can be seen with the efflorescence (the white stains).

 

 

Historical Entrance

Historical entrance, full view

Stairs 1

Stairs 1

Stairs 2

Stairs 2

Stairs 3 - wall crack

Stairs 3 - wall crack

Steps now, view 1 - stone and mortar

Steps now, view 1 - stone and mortar

Steps, low view

Steps, low view

Vault arch, brick supports

Vault arch, brick supports

Vault 2, wall

Vault 2, wall

Vault arch, brick supports

Vault arch, brick supports

Vault view 4, support close-up

Vault view 4, support close-up

Half-wall by stairs, view 1

Half-wall by stairs, view 1

Wall view 2, broken piece

Wall view 2, broken piece