It was history in the re-making. On Thursday, August 26, workers from Shawmut Design and Construction of Boston gently lowered a 7-ton copper-clad roof and balustrade onto Harvard's Memorial Hall, marking a key phase in the rebuilding of the Memorial Hall tower spire. A crowd of Harvard employees and neighbors watched and applauded as a crane lifted the crown-like spire and placed it in position.

Memorial Hall was built in 1874 to honor Harvard's Union dead. Copper ornamentation was added to the tower in 1878, and the tower was altered again in 1897 to accommodate a bell and four clock faces. In 1956 the tower was destroyed by fire and the building was "headless" until restoration began this year. The tower spire will revert to its original 1878 design.

Elizabeth Randall, capital projects manager for Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, undertook meticulous historical research to ensure that every detail of color and material will be reproduced as authentically as possible. Besides the copper cladding, it will feature red, green, and black slates and sandstone and brick pinnacles. The project is expected to be completed later this year.