Hamilton College
198 College Hill Rd, Clinton, NY 13323
Overview
Our team was tasked with extensive masonry restoration and new stone construction at Root Hall, Hamilton College, in Clinton, NY. The project included masonry cleaning and repointing, installation of granite paver treads, risers, and curbs, constructing a 40-foot-long fieldstone wall, and setting an anchored stone veneer at the building’s new entrance.
A total of 130 lineal feet of granite curbs were installed, alongside 204 granite tiles precisely laid and pointed for the steps. We also repointed 5% of the building’s elevation and 100% on two chimneys. We designed 45 custom stones around the entrance perimeter, anchoring them to a steel beam and columns while meticulously fitting surrounding stonework.
Challenges included achieving the desired vertical groove finish on the entrance stones, completed using a pneumatic chisel to match existing textures. The existing stones on the building are products of closed quarries so the stone was unavailable and needed to be matched best as possible. Additionally, welding steel clips required perfect elevation alignment—any missteps meant re-welding to ensure precision. Despite these complexities, the project was completed within six months, enhancing the building’s aesthetic and structural integrity.
Services
Project Highlights
- Scope: Masonry cleaning, repointing, and new stone construction
- Quantities: 130 lineal feet of granite curbs, 204 granite tiles, 40-foot fieldstone wall, 45 stones to frame the new entry.
- Challenges: Custom stone finishes and precision steel clip welding
- Outcome: Improved aesthetics, structural durability, and seamless integration with existing architecture
