In order to remove the interior supports, it is necessary to build a framework around the building to keep the outside walls in place. At this point, the Social Sciences building is in its most fragile state. As they remove the interior structure, workers are finding more problems with the old building. Water has so damaged the mortar around many of the windows that it has completely powdered. They also discovered that the limestone outer walls are, in fact, a thin veneer over unreinforced brick. This facade has begun to buckle between the windows. It was not a surprise that the ninety year old building has lead paint, asbestos in the tile and insulation, and PCBs in the flourescent lights. If the project stays on schedule, by this fall they should be able to pour the new stairs, pour the floor slabs, and begin installing the windows and roof.

UPDATE: April 21, 1997

Dr. Jones reports that "progress on the renovation of the Social Science Building has resumed. While internal demolotion proceeds with the removal of ventilation ductwork and suspended ceiling metal framework, etc., the more obvious work outside of the building is the drilling of some ten large holes for steel-reinforced concrete piers which will be part of the earthquake resistant foundation. The 10 exterior piers extend in depth to bedrock which is as near as 14 feet in some places and 48 feet in others. There will be 28 more concrete piers placed inside the building, and all of them, including the exterior ones will be joined with concrete beams to form the foundation for the existing walls [which are not deeply grounded] and for the new interior steel framework to support new floors. The picture I get is of a very strong foundation on which the building will set."

UPDATE: April 4, 1997

Restoration has been slowed due to the high bids for interior work. After bids were received for the electrical work, interior walls, heating, and ventilation were lower than expected so progress continued. With the delay, they do not expect to complete construction before mid-summer, 1998.

Good news for Historic Preservation students is the opportunity to monitor and record every phase of the project.

This story appeared in Historical Notes

Is Southeast Missouri State University constructing its own gulag -- complete with chain-link fencing? It might seem so if you've strolled by the old Social Science building lately. Actually, the long-awaited reconstruction of the Social Science building is about to get underway. Though the final floor plans are still under negotiation due to cost estimates, the basic look of the interior has been finalized. When it was announced several years ago that the building had to be closed due to safety concerns, it was widely feared that it would not be reopened.

If it had been decided that the four million dollar renovation cost outweighed the benefits, those interested in the preservation of fine old buildings would have been disappointed. After all, the stately white limestone walls of the Social Science building have stood as silent sentinels over the life of Southeast Normal School, College, and University for nearly a century.

In 1901, when the building was still on the drawing board, the first floor was designed to have two large gymnasiums and dressing rooms. The architect planned to house the Training School on the second floor. The third floor featured a chemistry and agriculture lab and labs for physical science and biology. The regents approved a building plan calling for a 113'x63' white limestone structure to be built for $18,523 without heating and sewers.

Plans for the building were changed in 1902 when fire destroyed the school's main building. By the 1905 dedication of Academic Hall, the pressure on "Science Hall" eased and, for the next sixty years, the building reeked of chemicals while of sines and cosines danced in the air. With the dedication of Magill Hall in 1960, the "Education" building was remodeled to serve the needs of the growing teacher training program.

During these years while the Social Science building was reaching maturity, Southeast's historians shared Academic Hall with many other departments. Construction of Scully Education in 1972 again left the building vacant and allowed History, Political Science, and Sociology-Anthropology their turn.

Though only the seniors might remember Dr. Coleman's readings class in the Davis Seminar Room (SS305) or the large lectures classes taught by Dr. Ramsey in SS208, to most of the history staff the old building was home. Four years ago, when Dean Martin Jones proposed a major renovation of the building and a temporary move to Kent, no one realized that one year would drag into two and then three.

When the building is completed, it will house the Department of History, the Department of Political Science, and the Center for Regional History and Cultural Heritage. As illustrated in the proposed floor plans, most of the classrooms will be on the first floor. Several of the new classrooms will include a computerized instructor station complete with a ceiling mounted projection system, electrically controlled screen, computer system, VCR, and other enhancements. Hopefully, before you graduate, you will be able to enjoy the "new" building with us.