Creating a haven for artwork at Hampton University

Formerly the Hampton University Library, the new Huntington Museum will house the most extensive collection of African-American art ever assembled under one roof.

In August 1996, our commercial tile and marble contracting firm was contracted to serve as a marble consultant and installation contractor for the renovation of what was formerly the Hampton University Library, a nearly 100-year-old building containing ornate fabricated marble flooring, wainscoting, stair treads, risers, stringers and fireplaces.  As contractor, our role began at the initial stages of addressing the stone work, and it continued through completion of the renovation.

Because the building had been vacant for many years and was in great disrepair, the task at hand first involved surveying the building and identifying the existing types of marble. We then were responsible for making design recommendations to reserve the historic character of the building, locating quarries from which to procure marble matching the existing as close as possible, and then merging the new installation to blend in with the existing.

Continued