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Cupola rises
 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor Once again, a cupola adorns the top of Riverview. The new aluminum cupola, put up on March 14, replaced a rotting wooden one, which was put up on Riverview in 1913 and taken down in 2001.
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It stands up high, looking out over campus, in the dead of night, in the brazen cold of Minnesota's winters and in the scorch of her summers. A landmark since the beginning of SCSU's history, the cupola that sits atop Riverview has recently been given a rebirth.
"It's a pretty remarkable conclusion," said Steve Ludwig, vice president of academic affairs. Ludwig oversaw most of the cupola project.
The former cupola, the tall point that sat atop the roof of Riverview was rotting after decades of life in the elements.
Originally it was made of wood and was used, in most cases, to vent the attic. The shutters on the top would be opened and air would be let out.
In the spring of 2001, much wear and tear showed that the base had rotted and moisture was seeping into Riverview. That same year, the cupola was removed.
"The cupola means a lot of different things to different people," said Jim Williams, general maintenance worker. "It means different things to me than to others."
Pronounced "q-pew-la," the cupola has been a symbol of the university. Seen on stationary, letterhead and on the university's web site, it was built the same time Riverview was, in 1913.
Originally, Riverview was a training school for first through sixth grade teachers and was called "Model School." In architectural terms the building is classical style, and for the past 100 years, classical architecture education was the main curriculum.
"Riverview reflects that curriculum," said retired professor Bill Morgan. "It goes back to Greek and Roman sources. In architecture terms, a cupola marks the center of the building. In classic architecture it is a symmetrical ventilator or has a bell in it."
The SCSU cupola is a ventilator.
Morgan, who retired from teaching two years ago, is the man responsible for getting Riverview on the National Historic Register. He also specializes in the field of preservation.
The register is a list of historic sites throughout the country, and Riverview is the only building on SCSU's campus that fills that position. Being on this register helps protect the building so that if it ever was to be restored the government would help fund those repairs.
Morgan taught in the department of community studies for 22 years. He specialized in the field of American studies of which he was the director of when he was at SCSU. He is currently an adjunct teacher for the Minnesota history classes.
Now, a year after the former cupola was taken down, a new structure, which is a replica, has been placed atop Riverview. The new cupola was less costly to reconstruct and is considerably lighter because it is made of aluminum. The other advantages include easier maintenance and a longer expected life span than the previous wooden one.
The cupola itself cost $70,000 to design and build, including the aluminum casting.
"Because it was rotting and deteriorating, it was removed and needed to be replaced," Williams said. "There was an architect hired to form a design and also someone to build it."
The plans for the cupola took awhile to do. Originally, it was a project three years ago this coming summer. The plans and budget were being prepared when it was first physically looked at. There were a few problems that sat between the plans and fixing it.
First, while looking at what exactly needed to be repaired, it was discovered that the cupola was built into the roof of Riverview as part of the building, not a separate piece. Because the cupola was originally a ventilation system, Riverview had to undergo work to disconnect the ventilation.
Next, workers found that it was lined with asbestos. That prompted the hiring of an asbestos removal company.
The asbestos had to be removed before it would be known how to properly make anew one. When that was finished, the attic had to be reinsulated and an enclosure had to be formed for the gaping hole in Riverview's roof.
After the cupola was removed, the state historical society had to look at the structure and an architect was hired to draw and prepare specifications for the new one, as the current cupola was rotted beyond repair. Once the drawings were completed, the Campbellsville Company created the new cupola.
Gopher State Contractors later came in and finished the job by placing the cupola in its new home and adding lighting and final structure.
On March 14, it settled onto its new home. With the help of a crane and about five people, the cupola was set back atop Riverview, relinquishing its watch over the campus.
"I'm pleased with how it's all turned out," said Ludwig. "It's been a long process with uncertainty. It's (the cupola) a symbol. To have that back is really wonderful."
Gopher State Contractors took the old one as stated in their contract and will dispose of it on their terms. The new cupola is painted the original cream color and is lit from the outside for a night view.
"It's great for the University," said Morgan. "That it can spend money on restoration. It is very important."
Right now the cupola is in the correct location with necessary shielding until the renovation of Riverview's roof, scheduled for August, 2004.
Nissa Billmyer can be reached at: [email protected]
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