The next time you're on campus, take a minute to see the new copper "growing" on the Hopwood Hall dome. It's part of Hopwood's 100th birthday celebration this year -- a centennial makeover. The original (green) copper dome has been removed and in its place is the beginning of a new copper top.
The renovation is being done by W.A. Lynch Roofing Company of Amherst, Va. Foreman Troy Brown and his band of four associates will spend much of July atop Hopwood completing the work.
"There were some leaks and underlying wood rot that were fixed first," Brown says, "plus the copper had split in several places over the years. We began by putting a permanent, rubberized membrane on the dome to keep it dry. All the new copper pieces will be seamed and soldered, with the dome itself to be comprised of several 15-foot-long pieces that will fit from top to bottom."
The folded and soldered seams, Brown says, will allow the dome to expand and contract with the weather. That will minimize copper splitting in the coming decades, a problem over the last twenty years.
How long will the new dome stay copper bright and shiny? About a year, Brown says, depending upon the weather; a harsh winter will turn it green quicker than a mild one.
If you're not in the vicinity, stay in the dome loop via this Hopwood photo album (new shots to be added as the work progresses): http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynchburgcollege/sets/72157620404015771/