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Harvard's Eliot Clock Tower Restored
Cambridge, Mass. - September 11, 2006 - Harvard University's Eliot House Clock Tower shines a little brighter after a comprehensive renovation project restored it to its former glory. Located at the corner of John F. Kennedy St. and Memorial Drive, the tower anchors the southwest corner of the Cambridge campus, providing a symbolic gatepost to the college. With its Celtic green cupola and gilded accents, the tower reclaims its stately elegance among the city's skyline.
"I am sure the Harvard, Cambridge and Boston communities join me in expressing appreciation for the careful restoration of this Georgian Revival gem. For many, Eliot House is the face of Harvard's Cambridge campus as they cross the bridge from Boston. This superb restoration of the Eliot House Clock Tower assures us that it will keep its luster and beauty for many generations to come," said Harvard College Associate Dean Suzy Nelson.
The restoration was completed over twelve weeks this summer by Shawmut Design and Construction. The effort included the careful removal of numerous layers of paint, the restoration of the original copper and wood elements, repainting of the tower, and new gilding of the weathervane and clock.
In order to preserve the architectural dignity of the tower, Harvard and Shawmut worked alongside the Cambridge Historical Commission to determine the best approach to restoring the tower while remaining faithful to its original design. Together, the three organizations consulted the master blueprint for the structure before taking action.
Rather than repainting the cupola a similar shade of blue-green as it has appeared in recent history, Shawmut, Cambridge Historical Commission, and Andrea Gilmore of Building Conservation Associates, Inc. (who performed the analysis) researched and matched the original paint colora Celtic green.
The clock tower restoration is part of a larger project between Harvard and Shawmut to renovate Eliot House. In addition to the newly restored clock tower, Eliot House has undergone new architectural finishes and life safety upgrades over the summer months.
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