DAR LibraryDAR LibraryLay Light Lay Light

RestorationRestoration

A Special Message FromPresident General

Merry Ann T. Wright

DAR National Headquarters

Iconic Architecture

The striking exterior marble columns and the beautiful DAR Library ceiling are the most emblematic architectural features of the DAR National Headquarters historic building.

Skylight vs. Lay Light

SkylightLay Light

Serious Deterioration Discovered

From the floor of the DAR Library, the lay light appears fine, but inspections from the top side of the lay light reveal structural deterioration which will require extensive and immediate restoration.

Architect Evaluation Report

“It is actually remarkable that

pieces of glass have not

fallen to the

Library floor.”

- Quinn Evans Architects

• $1.2 million dollars

• 9 month estimated completion time

• Critical to start project immediately or risk losing the lay light entirely

• Raising funds through the President General’s Project

“Keeping The Roof Over Our Heads”

Rare 5.7 magnitude earthquake

damaged National Headquarters

Earthquake Hits Washington, DC

Earthquake Hits Washington, DC

Earthquake damage prompted

inspections that led to discoveries

of deterioration in the lay light

Lay Light Structural Deterioration

• Metal webbing - called “zinc cames” - used to keep the glass in place is deformed

• This bowing and bending from the original flat surface is called “displacement”

• Problem caused by gravity and exacerbated by extreme heat and improper

repairs made in the past

• Adds stress to the lay light panels and creates destabilization

DAR Library Lay Light Problems

Cracked Glass• Extreme displacement has resulted

in glass breakage

• Improper ventilation which led to

extreme heat exacerbated cracking

• Cracks in the panes could become

hazardous by releasing from the zinc

cames and falling to the library floor

DAR Library Lay Light Problems

Cracked Concrete

DAR Library Lay Light Restoration

Cracking around the steel beams which hold the panels in place only serves to further destabilize support for the panels.

Support wires were added in inappropriate locations causing the zinc cames to pull from the glass adding stress and causing destabilization.

DAR Library Lay Light Problems

Poor Previous Repairs

Proper placement at an intersection of zinc cames

Improper placement

DAR Library Lay Light Problems

• Blowing rain can enter the cupola and cause water leakage resulting in glass staining

• Improper ventilation traps in heat

Deteriorating Cupola

DAR Library Lay Light Problems

Corrosion

• Moisture from leaking cupola has lead to corrosion

• Severe corrosion has destabilized the solder joints and zinc cames in all 25 panels

DAR Library Lay Light Problems

DisplacementThe lead panels holding the glass are bowing and bending away from the horizontal support bar. It should be nearly parallel to the support bar but on many panels there is significant displacement or “sway”.

DAR Library Lay Light Restoration

• Work could take up to

9 months

• 25 panels of glass to be

removed and restored

individually

• Requires highly

specialized skills

performed by craftsmen

• Scaffolding will be required, but we’ll keep the DAR Library open and as accessible to researchers as possible!

DAR Library Lay Light Restoration

Restore to Original Historic Beauty

President General’s Project

The DAR Library Lay Light Campaign will be part of the overall

President General’s Project restoration efforts

Successful roofing projects as well as repairing, restoring and cleaning exterior areas of the Headquarters complex have been completed but more critical work is still needed and will only be achieved with your support.

• Contributions to the President General’s Project

will help support the lay light

project as well as other

important initiatives

• Donor Wall recognition for

those donating the various

designated gift amounts

• Supporters who contribute

$1,000 or more will receive the

Benefactor Pin and special recognition at Congress

President General’s Project

• 25 seven-foot square panels

• $40,000 donation

(group or individual)

supports the cost for

refurbishing one panel

• Permanent recognition in the

DAR Library will honor those

able to donate the $40,000

required to sponsor a square

Sponsor a Lay Light Square

Your support will ensure that generations of future Daughters will be able to cherish the

historic and breathtaking DAR Library lay light.

DAR Library Lay Light Restoration

For more information on how you can support the President General’s Project and the DAR

Library Lay Light Restoration contact the DAR Office of Development:

1-800-449-1776

development@dar.org

www.dar.org/giving

Thank You!