Baltimore, MD

Client: The University of Maryland Medical Alumni Association

Project Type: Comprehensive Exterior Restoration; Historic Structure Report

Built in 1812 for the University of Maryland, Davidge Hall is the oldest medical school building in continuous use in the United States.

The University of Maryland Medical Alumni Association engaged John G. Waite Associates, Architects to prepare a historic structure report for Davidge Hall as the first step in developing a long-range program for the building’s conservation and restoration. The report assembled and organized all available documentation on the building; assessed its historical and architectural significance; identified problems of repair; and included comprehensive recommendations for the building’s future treatment. The historic structure report was used to facilitate the nomination and subsequent recognition of Davidge Hall as a National Historic Landmark.

Following extensive investigations and exploratory building probes, JGWA designed and implemented a comprehensive exterior restoration project and designed a metal damproofing course that was installed in the exterior brick walls to address problems with rising damp. The exterior restoration of the building, which addressed the deteriorated condition of the roofing, brick masonry, and wood windows and doors, was completed in 2006. The interior restoration of the building is scheduled to begin in 2007, the bicentennial of the School of Medicine.