Get the Knaack!

Workers continue to assemble the scaffolding which creeps ever higher on the eastern portions of the main wing while a box, emblazoned with the intriguing word Knaack, houses the tools workers will use during the restoration project.

Spring and the Scaffolding is in Bloom

The snow has finally melted and the bitter winds are gone so crews have assembled the scaffolding. The eastern portion of the Main Wing will be restored first.

Work You May Not Have Noticed

While the winter weather has prevented crews from working on the facade of the building, there is a less obvious aspect of the restoration project that has been proceeding. Windows in the Albright basement are being replaced after 120 years.

Deep Freeze

As the icicles under the scaffolding attest, workers have had to take a break from the tracery window restoration while temperatures remain well below freezing. Work will resume once we experience a thaw. Note the playing card among the frozen debris. It looks like the 10 of Spades.

Removal of Tracery Window Panes

On the left, you can see winter sky in the void left by a pane from the tracery window. The panes are being removed and placed in storage while the exterior limestone facade around the windows is being restored. The voids will be covered with plywood during this phase of the project.

First Sign of Construction

The weather may not seem ideal for construction work, but work begins nonetheless, and this scaffolding is the first sign. Workers will soon be removing the 2nd Floor tracery window which is on the eastern side of the Albright. It will be carefully packaged and transported to experts for restoration.

 

  

Weclome to the Albright Restoration Blog

The Scranton Public Library is about to embark on a major restoration of the exterior of the Albright Memorial Library. Over the coming months, this blog will provide you with background and follow the project from start to finish. The Scranton Times-Tribune has already published some good articles on the need for the project and on the selection of a contractor to do the work.