B&O Railroad Museum Roundhouse Repairs to Begin

B&O Railroad Museum officials announced today that the decorative architectural woodwork
elements on the clerestory and lantern of the Museum’s National Historic Landmark Roundhouse
are in need of repair due to exposure to the elements. Scaffolding will be erected in the first weeks
of August 2014 and the work is scheduled to be completed in approximately 120 days. The
Museum will remain open on its regular schedule during the repairs and the visitor experience
should not be affected by the work.

The noted architectural firm Schamu, Machowski +Patterson (SM+P), noted that a series of harsh winters with extensive freezing and thawing along with hot summer sun, wind and rain have created significant deterioration of the wooden architectural elements that rise 125 feet above the ground. A regular inspection of the Roundhouse roof last year showed weather damage to the cornices, pilasters, window sills and painted surfaces. SM+P, who designed the building’s restoration work following the February 2003 collapse of the Roundhouse roof, will supervise the project. The massive slate roof and all of its structural elements remain in excellent condition.

Museum Director Courtney B. Wilson said “While these repairs are costly to the Museum they are essential to complete now so that the long term preservation of the National Historic Landmark building is assured. The Roundhouse, often called “The Cathedral of American Railroading,” is revered internationally and is the centerpiece of the B&O Railroad Museum along with its world-class collections.”

Through an extensive bidding and qualifying process the Museum selected Yerkes Construction Company to complete the project. Director Wilson noted that Yerkes has extensive experience in historic preservation projects and has demonstrated consistent quality and sensitivity in their work. All of the work consists of replacing damaged existing elements and will insure that the building remains faithful to its historic design and architecture.

About the B&O Railroad Museum:
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American society, culture, and economy. The Museum is home to the oldest, most important and comprehensive collection of American railroad artifacts in the world including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. The 40-acre historic site is regarded as the birthplace of American railroading and includes the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse, and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. For further information on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, please call 410-752-2490 or visit www.borail.org .