By Published: July 10, 2023

Restoration for CU’s First BuildingÌý

In the mid-1920s, Old Main — CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s three-story, red brick building designed by architect Erastus H. Dimick — was in poor shape after only a half-century of use. Some even called for its destruction, including then-campus architect Charles Klauder, who designed several university buildings in the Tuscan Vernacular style. But high construction costs in the 1920s and a lack of funds to follow Klauder’s original campus design plan saved Old Main. The building went through a major structural renovation instead, solidifying its status as a campus classic. In early 2024, pending Board of Regents approval, work will begin on a new structural restoration project to benefit the building. Old Main’s legacy will live on.Ìý

1876

Old main completed; classes began in the building the following year

40,000

Artifacts will be moved to a temporary East Campus location during the restorationÌý

$13M

Approximate cost of the project

Joseph Sewall

CU's first president, Joseph A. Sewall, and family members — his wife and their five children — lived in Old Main when it first opened

Ìý

Old Main Library

The second floor of the building contained a room in 1878 that housed the university’s first library, which held 1,500 books

Old Main original building drawing

The third floor of the building is where the CU Medical School began. There were two students, and CU's first president taught classes.

Old Main History

1920s

Major structural rennovation

1984

Old Main building refurbishment completed with improvements to windows and the Old Main Chapel

2020

Structural evaluation begins

2024

New structural restoration project beginsÌý

Old Main Chapel

During the renovation of the 1980s, the Old Main Chapel was rotated 90 degrees.

Old Main Chapel Rennovation

Old Main Chapel Renovation

2024 Restoration's Major Components:

Replacing about 10% of the building’s outer brick

Replacing windows

Repairing cracks in bricks and sandstone

Repairing the sandstone foundation

Drainage and landscaping improvementsÌý

Roof repair

Bricks

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Photos courtesy Heritage Center (Sewall, chapel, sketch); Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-11813 (library); Richard Ebert/Encircle Photos (middle photo); AbobeStock/arybickii (bricks)Ìý