M&D works to protect historic stone structures at Morgan State University

Water issues in both Truth Hall and Memorial Chapel at the Morgan State University campus were creating problems for several university services, including a childcare facility.

Truth Hall

When two historic stone structures on the campus of Morgan State University in Maryland were taking on water, the administration called on the help of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects to find out why and how it could be fixed.

Both Truth Hall and Memorial Chapel are defining buildings for the University. They were designed in the 1940s by Architect Albert Irvin Cassell, whose work shaped many of the region’s predominantly Black institutions of higher education, including Howard University and Virginia Union University.

Truth Hall, built in 1946, was named in honor of Sojourner Truth, one of the most notable anti-slavery speakers during the years leading up to the Civil War. She went to Washington at the beginning of the Civil War to help care for wounded Union Soldiers and met with President Abraham Lincoln, upon whom she urged the arming of free Black Americans of the North for the defense of the Union.

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The building constructed in her memory was originally a women’s residence but converted to an administrative building in 1979. It currently houses the President, Senior Administration, and support staff.

Originally named the Morgan Christian Center, Memorial Chapel reflects the diverse religious landscape on campus. Built in 1941, it is included, along with Truth Hall, on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Memorial Chapel

Memorial Chapel

Memorial Chapel

Memorial Chapel

A troubling issue

When both facilities started mysteriously experiencing water issues, primarily in the Lower Level (basement), it was a cause for concern, not only for the historical integrity of the structures but for the programs and administrators that were impacted by the water issues.

Office workers could no longer work in the basement of Truth Hall because of standing water in numerous locations. The childcare facility in the basement of Memorial Chapel also had to be relocated, raising concerns for exposure to mold.

“It’s not uncommon to find infiltration issues with historical buildings,” says Lauren Myatt, Principal Architect at Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects. “Construction practices, technology, and other common things weren’t around when these buildings were created.”

Finding the source of the problem wouldn’t be so simple. Rather, it’d take a team of experts and the resources that M&D could tap into via industry connections.

Truth Hall

The investigation

Peter Schwab, Architect at Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, knows the importance of these types of projects. Finding the reason behind the water problem, and then helping prevent it in the future, can mean these structures will last for generations to come.

The investigation to determine where the water is entering the building is still ongoing. It includes the work of a civil engineer, a geotechnical engineer, a utility locator, and some assistance from a demolition contractor, as well as a prominent roofing company which is doing drone work to get a look at how nearby trees might be carrying water onto the top of the buildings.

Some pipes were dug up and replaced. Others that had blockages were cleaned out, and camera scopes were used to inspect even more pipes.

Five test pits around Truth Hall and four around Memorial Chapel will also be dug to determine if water is present around the stone foundation of the building, to see if water could be hitting the concrete footing and traveling under the stone.

The 2-foot-thick stone walls of the chapel also has some cavities – some the size of grapefruit – that are of concern. While storm drain lines are clear around the chapel, it is unclear if they are causing problems at Truth Hall.

Experts working together

While the work involves a lot of research and fact finding, Schwab recognizes how important it can be to figure out a long-term solution for Morgan State University.

“I have 40 years of experience, and I still find these projects to be some of the most challenging,” Schwab says. “It’s not an easy solution. It’s not something that we can quickly point to the problem. It takes time. It takes coordination. It’s a large, research-based project.”

For Schwab, who worked on some of the campus buildings 25 years ago, it’s nice to have a chance to be helping Morgan State University preserve its history.

“We have the connections that we can bring in many experts to help solve this for them,” he says. “Sometimes, finding a solution involves a lot of people working together. This is one of those projects.”

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