Named for the University’s first president, Alderman Library is the main library of at the University of Virginia. It also acts as a depository for official documents of the U.S. Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The library was constructed in 1938 in response to the ever-expanding university population growing too large to be served by the original library.  The Flemish bond red brick facades with white columns and trim feature large arched windows facing the north and south in a style characterized as Jeffersonian Classicism. This latest project represents a restoration, renovation, and expansion of the original building.

Worcester Eisenbrandt was contracted to provide a variety of services for the recent renovation, restoration, and expansion of the historic library.   

Exterior work included preservation of the original facade masonry, installation of new masonry to match the original, complete window restoration. The new masonry scope included installation of the backup CMU walls, new veneers constructed of a 6-color blend of brick, and cast stone dements.

Interior work consisted of protection of interior historic finishes, and restoration and fabrication of interior architectural millwork.

The millwork scope, which was focused on the major spaces, included the detailed documentation and salvage of up to 70% of the millwork in each room. This included standing and running trim, built-in bookcases, wall paneling, and parquet floors. These materials were stored while the remaining millwork was protected in place to allow for the mechanical renovations in the building. Later, the salvaged millwork was reinstalled and refinished along with the existing. In areas where modifications were needed to accommodate the new building renovations, the skilled craftsmen in our WEI’s mill shop fabricated new custom panels and trim which would be indistinguishable from the historic elements.