[The minutes of the Building Committee for these years deal with the construction of two buildings: a new Preparatory building and a new academic building, variously mentioned in the minutes as the "new College building" and the "main College building." The structure would later be known as Old Main]
Office of Financial Agent, August 6, 1867, 9 o'clock a.m.
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, William L. Breckinridge, John A. Jacobs, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone. The business to be considered being the erection of a new Preparatory building, it was resolved that the Committee will proceed at once to erect a new Preparatory according to a certain plan exhibited to the Committee by Prof. Ormond Beatty, and within the estimates of costs given to the Committee by H. R. Young, i.e. $7,000.
The chairman of Committee was directed to procure bids of workman for the erection of said building.
The resolution passed August 2, 1867, fixing the site of the Preparatory on the building lot of Centre College was reconsidered, and Ormond Beatty, chairman of the Committee and George W. Welsh and John A. Jacobs, were appointed committee to consider further the question of location with power to purchase the lot of William I. Moore adjacent to the College grounds at their discretion.
John A. Jacobs and Robert A. Johnstone were appointed to advertise for proposals for putting up the Main College Building according to the plan adopted by the Trustees of Centre College. Adjourned to meet at call of the chairman.
Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office of Financial Agent, August 23, 1867, 9 o'clock a.m.
The Building Committee met upon the call of the chairman. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, William L. Breckinridge, John A. Jacobs, and Robert A. Johnstone, Financial Agent.
Two propositions with reference to the erection of the new Preparatory building. One from H. R. Young and one from Lord and Lanckart were laid before the Committee by the chairman. On consideration of these plans, Ormond Beatty and George W. Welsh were appointed a sub-committee to contract with Lord and Lanckart to put up the new Preparatory building upon the basis of their written proposition, and that this sub-committee are hereby given a wise discretion as to details of the work.
On motion, it was expressed as the mind of the Committee that shutters should be put to the windows of said building.
On motion, the chairman of Building Committee was directed to invite Mr. Stancliffe to come to Danville, and assist this Committee in locating the new Preparatory building.
On motion, the Financial Agent was directed to correspond with the executor of Michael G. Youce [trustee of Centre College from 1824 to 1835], deceased, and ascertain on what terms the dwelling house on Main Street, Danville, belong to estate of said Youce can be rented for dormitory uses to Centre College.
On motion, the Committee adjourned.
Ormond Beatty, Chairman, Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office of Financial Agent, Danville, Ky., September 5, 1867
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, John A. Jacobs, William L. Breckenridge, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone, Financial Agent.
The Chairman reported that he had invited Mr. Stancliffe to visit Danville and assist in selecting site for the new Preparatory building, and had received answer that he cannot come.
On motion, it was resolved that the sub-committee be and are hereby requested to negotiate with Mr. William I. Moore, and purchase so much of his lot (adjacent to the building lot of Centre College) for the site of the new Preparatory building as they may judge best.
Adjourned to meet upon the call of the chairman.
Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office of Financial Agent, November 6, 1867, 3 o'clock p.m.
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, John A. Jacobs, and Financial Agent.
The question being raised as to the character of mortar to be used in the erection of the new Preparatory building, it was on motion, resolved that it is the judgement of this Committee that, above ground, Kentucky River bar sand only should be used in making the mortar for both stone and brick work.
The sub-committee of the Building Committee, John A. Jacobs and Robert A. Johnstone, reported that they have advertised for proposals for the Main College building in the Danville Gazette, Cincinnati Gazette, Louisville Democrat, and Western Presbyterian, and have as yet received none.
Adjourned.
Ormond Beatty, Chairman, Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
November 7, 1867, 4 o'clock p.m.
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, William L. Breckenridge, George W. Welsh, John A. Jacobs, and Robert A. Johnstone, Financial Agent.
The subject of the kind of sand to be used in mortar for the stone and brick work above ground in the new Preparatory building was introduced and further considered, and on motion, the chairman, Ormond Beatty, requested to confer with Lord and Lankart in reference to the matter.
Adjourned.
Ormond Beatty, Chairman, Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office of Financial Agent, January 11, 1868, 11 o'clock a.m.
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, William L. Breckenridge, John A. Jacobs, George W. Welsh, and Financial Agent.
The chairman stated that Lord and Lankart have asked leave to make the brick for the new Preparatory building upon the southeast of the Preparatory lot. The Committee declined to grant the request in as much as said part of said lot is now offered for sale.
Adjourned.
Ormond Beatty, Chairman, Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
June 27, 1868
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, William L. Breckinridge, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone, Financial Agent.
George W. Welsh and Robert A. Johnstone were directed to have the Ficklin House vacated and put speedily into repairs for the occupancy of such students of the College as may need rooms in the same.
Adjourned.
Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office of Financial Agent, June 26, 1869, 8 o'clock a.m.
The Building Committee met on call of the chairman. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, John A. Jacobs, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone. An order was passed directing an advertisement to be made in the Danville Advocate, the Louisville Courier-Journal, Frankfort Commonwealth, and Lexington Observer and Reporter, soliciting proposals for stone and brick work, etc., of the new College building. Also arrangements were made with James Marrs of Danville Advocate for printing 200 copies of the plans, specifications, and details of the building, and then on motion the Committee adjourned.
Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
The advertisement above mentioned was made in due time and sealed proposals solicited and the time for opening the same was finally fixed for August 30, 1869.
Ormond Beatty, chairman of Committee, visited Louisville early in August 1869, with a view to have certain amendments made to the plan and drawings of the new building, and also with a view to employ an architect.
August 30, 1869, 3 o'clock p.m.
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, William J. McKnight, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone. Absent John A. Jacobs, on account of sickness as stated to Committee by letter.
The chairman of Committee stated that he had procured the desired amendments to the drawings of new College building. Also that he had on behalf of Committee employed as architects to superintend the construction of the new building, the Firm of Stancliffe and Andrewartha, and introduced to the Committee Mr. John Andrewartha of said firm. This was approved by Committee.
The Committee then proceeded to open the sealed proposals which had been sent in by various persons and business firms. And after opening them all, in number about 37 proposals, and noting down with care each proposal and examining the same, after considerable discussion and interchange of views as to these several proposals, in which the Committee was much aided by Mr. John Andrewartha, the Committee adjourned to meet tomorrow 8 o'clock a.m.
August 31, 8 o'clock a.m.
The Committee on new College building met in office of Financial Agent according to adjournment. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, George W. Welsh, William J. McKnight, John A. Jacobs, and Robert A. Johnstone. Mr. John Andrewartha, architect, was also present.
After some further consideration and comparison of the bids which had been opened and noted down on 30th past, it was found that the following were the lowest bids, to wit:
For rubble stone work - O. Halleran and Co. Louisville, Ky.
For brick work - Either Lytte or Mitchel Louisville, Ky.
For plaster work - Ashcraft and Owens Louisville, Ky.
For carpenters work - Lord and Lanckert Danville, Ky.
and thereupon Mr. John Andrewartha, the architect of Committee, was instructed by resolution of the Committee to accept at once these bids of the aforesaid firms and then on motion, the Committee adjourned.
Ormond Beatty, Chairman, Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office of Financial Agent, September 9, 1869, 4 o'clock p.m.
The Building Committee met upon call of the chairman. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, George W. Welsh, John A. Jacobs, and Robert A. Johnstone. Also John Andrewartha, architect, was present.
John Andrewartha, architect, reported to the Building Committee that on hearing statements of Lytte and Co., Louisville, Ky., as explanatory of their bid made for the brick work on the new College edifice, he did not feel free to accept their bid, and recommended to the Committee the acceptance of the bid of John Mitchel of Louisville, Ky. The Committee approved the act of the architect in declining acceptance of the bid of Lytte and Co., and after careful examination of the bid of John Mitchel of Louisville, Ky. which was, in the aggregate, $12,542.50, and which was the lowest bid now before the Committee and informed that his bid has been accepted, and that the Committee were prepared to enter into contract with him for said brick work.
Also the matter of the stone work was brought before the Committee by architect John Andrewartha, who stated that 0. Halleran and Co., Louisville, Ky., had failed to enter into contract under the terms of their bid, which had been accepted by the Committee on August 31, 1869. Thereupon the Committee re-examined the bids which had been received on said stone work, and after mature consideration, the bid of Christopher Krogh of Lebanon, Ky., was accepted, it being in the aggregate $3,524.75 for the rubble stone work of new College building and for extra work in Bushhammer and about $1,110.00, and then on motion the Committee adjourned.
Ormond Beatty, chairman, by Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
Office Financial Agent, May 14, 1870, 8 o'clock a.m.
The Building Committee met. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone. The secretary of Committee was directed to procure copies of all contracts and agreements and modifications of the same, made between this Committee and the various contractors on the new College building, and enter the same upon the records of this Committee. The inside shutters to the new College building were ordered to be dispensed with (See contract with Lord and Lanckart).
Ordered that the stairway from the basement to the first story in the new College building shall be cribbed up and closed with door instead of bannisters.
The matter of pullies for window sash in new College building being considered, the Committee agreed to dispense with brass and take the best iron pullies at estimated deduction which will not be less than $200.
The deadening of floor being considered, it was ordered that the floor of the second story shall be deadened throughout, and the hall of the first story shall be deadened, and the deadening throughout the balance of the house shall be dispensed with. The gallery was ordered to be continued. The wainscoting was dispensed with.
R. D. Read was requested to consider the question of a gong bell for the new College [building].
The plank floor in the corridor of basement was dispensed with, and Mr. Lord was requested to make an estimate of deduction for the same.
R. D. Read took out of this office specifications for excavations, rubble masonry, and bricklayers work, nos. 1, 2, and 3 for his use in superintending the work now in progress on the new Centre College building.
Iron hand railings for stairways were considered, and R. D. Read was requested to ascertain as nearly as he can the cost of same and inform this Committee and then on motion, the committee adjourned.
Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
August 3, 1870, 3 o'clock p.m.
The Building Committee met on the call of the chairman. Members present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, George W. Welsh, William G. McKnight, and Robert A. Johnstone, also John Andrewartha.
The Chairman stated in the hearing of the Committee, and also in the hearing of John Andrewartha, architect, various things in the work now in progress on the new College building which he considered as defects and non-compliances with the terms of contract and specifications of the work, and thereupon the architect informed the Committee that said defects would receive his prompt attention.
The thickness of the walls in the wings of the third story of the new College building was considered, and the question raised as to the sufficiency of 13 1/2 inches thickness, exclusive of the pilaster as exhibited in longitudinal section of the drawings. This matter was carefully considered, and the opinion of the architect was heard, and the conclusion reached that the thickness of 13 1/2 inches exclusive of pilasters is sufficient for the walls of the 3rd story in the wings, and then on motion, the Committee adjourned.
[blank space], Chairman, Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary
February 22, 1872, 9 o'clock a.m.
The Building Committee met on call of chairman. Present, Ormond Beatty, chairman, George W. Welsh, and Robert A. Johnstone.
On motion, it was ordered that the work of improving grounds of new Centre College building be at once resumed. Also that the unfinished painting on new building be completed, and that one dozen chairs for the use of the College be immediately ordered, and then on motion the Committee adjourned.
Robert A. Johnstone, Secretary