{"id":57490,"date":"2025-08-28T16:43:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T20:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=57490"},"modified":"2025-09-03T10:13:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:13:57","slug":"mcgraw-tower-renovations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/","title":{"rendered":"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Joe Wilensky<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">After more than two years of <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/tower-renovation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">renovation and restoration<\/a>, McGraw Tower is finally free of scaffolding. Above all\u2014literally and figuratively\u2014is a brand-new roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>\u201cEveryone\u2014from the designers and contractors to our campus roofing experts\u2014expects it to last us another hundred years,\u201d says Jon Ladley, director of facilities planning for the University Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The $7 million project included not only restoring the roof, but numerous other repairs and weatherproofing to the tower, masonry, and adjacent Uris Library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It had taken longer than anticipated, due in part to uncooperative weather, as well as the challenge of hiring roofers skilled in the required detail and craftwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Specialist subcontractors were brought in from Ottawa, Canada.)<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-819x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"1920s-era view of McGraw Tower with its original tile roof, with Boardman Hall to the left and Uris Library at right\" class=\"wp-image-57512 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-768x960.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-1264x1580.jpeg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-632x790.jpeg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-316x395.jpeg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-280x350.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-140x175.jpeg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-70x87.jpeg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-400x500.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-200x250.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040-100x125.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/RMC2004_0040.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">rare and manuscript collections<\/figcaption><figcaption>The tower in the 1920s, sporting its original tile roof.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>From a distance, the 173-foot-tall landmark seems much the same, albeit cleaner: the masonry is brighter, the four clockfaces crisper. The new roof retains its historic chevron pattern and deep gray hue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most time-consuming part of the project, Ladley says, was the removal and careful replacement of the roof\u2019s lead-coated copper sheets, soldered pans, and wood decking that form its pyramidal shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Everyone\u2014from the designers and contractors to our campus roofing experts\u2014expects it to last us another hundred years.<\/p>\n<cite><strong>Jon Ladley<\/strong>, director of facilities planning, University Library<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The roof had last been replaced in the 1930s\u2014followed by decades of patchwork repairs to leaking seams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new version is fashioned from sheet lead, a more durable and environmentally safe material; its design will aid in more efficient water runoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignwide has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"57474\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"the sheet lead being formed over wood battens to create the chevron pattern\" class=\"wp-image-57474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-632x790.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-316x395.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-140x175.jpg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-70x87.jpg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-200x250.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_0331-A.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"57477\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"the fitting of the lead spire cap on McGraw Tower as part of the renovation project\" class=\"wp-image-57477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-632x790.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-316x395.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-140x175.jpg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-70x87.jpg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-200x250.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-79C4DC56-24B4-4C9B-B65A-82808F543AF8-A.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Forming sheet lead over wooden battens into the roof&#8217;s familiar chevron pattern, and fitting the spire cap.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While many of the tower\u2019s improvements are internal\u2014making the entire structure weathertight for future generations\u2014visible upgrades include a new safety railing around the tower\u2019s belfry, which serves as an observation deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At 42 inches tall, the new railings are two inches higher than the decorative ones (which remain), in keeping with modern codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McGraw Tower, of course, is home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/chimes.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cornell Chimes<\/a>; while no work was done on the bells, they will benefit from the roof replacement and weatherproofing\u2014as will the playing console and the clockworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" class=\"wp-block-rkv-carousel rkv-swiper swiper is-caption-align-center\"><div class=\"alignfull swiper-buttons\"><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"view of McGraw Tower covered in scaffolding during renovations and repair with Uris Library at left and Olin Library to the right\" class=\"wp-image-57470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1018_AER_SELECTS-v2.00_00_04_03.Still001-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Sreang Hok \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tower was clad in scaffolding for two years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"view of the the steel support structure of the tower roof before it was cleaned and painted in preparation for the sheet lead installation\" class=\"wp-image-57475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/IMG_6129-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The steel support structure was visible during roof replacement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"new enhanced sturdier railings on the belfry (observation) deck of McGraw Tower following renovations and weatherproofing\" class=\"wp-image-57478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-CA0AC197-FDF4-4FF1-AF33-64F1EBAF329B-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sturdier modern railings now sit behind the decorative ones.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"just the steel support structure of the McGraw Tower roof is visible through the surrounding scaffolding in this image taken during renovations\" class=\"wp-image-57471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2024_1178_SH_008-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Sreang Hok \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tower briefly appeared to sport a transparent roof.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"McGraw Tower's newly renovated roof is seen in this wide shot framed by trees\" class=\"wp-image-57473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1275_SH_017-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Sreang Hok \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The brickwork has been meticulously cleaned.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Other exterior work includes repairs to the library entrance stairs and restoration to sections of Uris\u2019s roof. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tower\u2019s clockfaces were also restored and refinished, and the hands repainted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>While no work was done on the bells, they will benefit from the roof replacement and weatherproofing\u2014as will the playing console and the clockworks.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During an early condition assessment, Ladley notes, a few of the tower\u2019s original 1891 roof tiles were found in a library attic. One of the glazed, cream-colored Spanish tiles, along with a section of the replaced 1930s-era roof, are now on display in Uris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The work, Ladley adds, finished up around the time that the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2025\/08\/olin-library-hold-reopening-celebration-aug-27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Olin Library interior renovations<\/a> wrapped up next door.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"a section of the replaced 1930s-era roof of McGraw Tower is on display in Uris Library's gallery level as part of an exhibit on the tower's renovations and history\" class=\"wp-image-57481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-1264x949.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-632x474.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-316x237.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/processed-E439851C-BFD0-4C0C-B902-C3994A694C81-B.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A section of the replaced roof is on display in Uris Library.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo we\u2019ve kind of had a soft opening over the summer,\u201d he says. \u201cThe Chimes are already back in action; they\u2019ve got the hour bells going, and they\u2019re doing their concerts again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No other major construction or renovation work in the area is planned, he adds: \u201cSo it\u2019s like a sigh of relief on this corner of the Arts Quad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: <em>Photo and video by Sreang Hok and Jason Koski<\/em><\/em> \/ <em>Cornell University. (All images provided by University Library Facilities Planning, unless otherwise indicated.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Published August 28, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":57472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[32697,52869,45029],"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-57490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-beyond"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete - Cornellians | Cornell University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete - Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cornellians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-28T20:43:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-03T14:13:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"899\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Joe Wilensky\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@WeCornellians\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WeCornellians\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Joe Wilensky\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Joe Wilensky\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/eb12371d369d4c9b51867971301228e2\"},\"headline\":\"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-28T20:43:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-03T14:13:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":643,\"commentCount\":4,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Campus &amp; Beyond\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/\",\"name\":\"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete - Cornellians | Cornell University\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-28T20:43:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-03T14:13:57+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/eb12371d369d4c9b51867971301228e2\"},\"description\":\"Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":899,\"caption\":\"McGraw Tower's new roof is seen in this wide aerial shot, with Cayuga Lake visible in the background amid other campus buildings\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cornellians | Cornell University\",\"description\":\"Cornell&#039;s alumni publication\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/eb12371d369d4c9b51867971301228e2\",\"name\":\"Joe Wilensky\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cc152614df443c1338ec351e6dad0f70be9da543e8c7f2eacf811ce192f4300e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cc152614df443c1338ec351e6dad0f70be9da543e8c7f2eacf811ce192f4300e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cc152614df443c1338ec351e6dad0f70be9da543e8c7f2eacf811ce192f4300e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Joe Wilensky\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/author\\\/jjw33\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete - Cornellians | Cornell University","description":"Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete - Cornellians | Cornell University","og_description":"Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century","og_url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/","og_site_name":"Cornellians | Cornell University","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cornellians","article_published_time":"2025-08-28T20:43:49+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-09-03T14:13:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":899,"url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Joe Wilensky","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@WeCornellians","twitter_site":"@WeCornellians","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Joe Wilensky","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/"},"author":{"name":"Joe Wilensky","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/eb12371d369d4c9b51867971301228e2"},"headline":"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete","datePublished":"2025-08-28T20:43:49+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-03T14:13:57+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/"},"wordCount":643,"commentCount":4,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg","articleSection":["Campus &amp; Beyond"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/","name":"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete - Cornellians | Cornell University","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg","datePublished":"2025-08-28T20:43:49+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-03T14:13:57+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/eb12371d369d4c9b51867971301228e2"},"description":"Sporting a new roof and other improvements, the iconic clocktower is ready for another century","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/2025_1273_JK_002-A.jpg","width":1600,"height":899,"caption":"McGraw Tower's new roof is seen in this wide aerial shot, with Cayuga Lake visible in the background amid other campus buildings"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/mcgraw-tower-renovations\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower\u2019s Renovations Are Complete"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#website","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/","name":"Cornellians | Cornell University","description":"Cornell&#039;s alumni publication","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/eb12371d369d4c9b51867971301228e2","name":"Joe Wilensky","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cc152614df443c1338ec351e6dad0f70be9da543e8c7f2eacf811ce192f4300e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cc152614df443c1338ec351e6dad0f70be9da543e8c7f2eacf811ce192f4300e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cc152614df443c1338ec351e6dad0f70be9da543e8c7f2eacf811ce192f4300e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Joe Wilensky"},"url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/author\/jjw33\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET","POST","PUT","PATCH","DELETE"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57490"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57600,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57490\/revisions\/57600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57490"},{"taxonomy":"cornell_year_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cornell_year_post?post=57490"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=57490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}