The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, is making major renovations to Cullum Hall at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, serving as the new home for hundreds of historical items and the school’s archive collection.
Named after George W. Cullum (1809-1892), a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and the 16th Superintendent of West Point, the two lower basement levels are being renovated for the collections; upper floors are being kept mainly intact to retain historical integrity. Originally constructed in 1898, the four-floor, 44,225 sq. ft. structure is receiving nearly $49 million in renovations. Expected completion is early 2026.
Upgraded Storage/Display Space
The benefits of the renovated space are many: 1) more space to expand collections; 2) improved environmental controls (temperature and humidity); 3) improved security and specialized storage spaces (vault and cold storage); 4) specialized spaces for processing collections; 5) workspaces outside the collection-storage area; and 6) more collaboration space to host multiple events at the same time.
New York District Commander Col. Alexander Young stated: “We’re pleased to help West Point with upgraded facilities chronicling their storied history and remembering those who gave their lives for our Nation. When the project is complete, they’ll have space better suited to preserving the Academy’s history and people.”
Building Renovations
Major renovations include:
● New walls, floors, finishes and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
● New utilities and HVAC system (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)
● Fire-suppression and fire-alarm systems, and telecommunications
● Metal roof replaced with a new terracotta-tile roof matching the original construction
● New slabs and structural steel supporting archival spaces and high-density storage
● New service yard for electrical equipment, air-handling unit, backup chiller and a fire-pump house
● Installing an elevator (the building previously had no elevator)
● New exterior walkways, entrance ways, and guard rails
Currently stored in Bartlett Hall, Cullum will house the library's archives collection comprised of the historical administrative records of the Academy since its inception in 1802. Also moving there are extensive personal manuscripts collections, photographs, maps and published works documenting West Point, the Academy and alumni. In all, about 11,000 linear feet of archives and special collections will occupy the renovated facility.
Site Visit
A recent site visit included a tour of the interior and exterior of the building by Resident Engineer Jessica Nelson who oversees the Residence Office team managing the construction contract and also serves as an administrative contracting officer to review/execute contract modifications under her warrant. She pointed out new walkways and railings under construction, a new terracotta roof and a new service yard. Inside she noted an elevator being installed and renovation of the floors, stage area, hallways and stairs.
Also on site were Army Corps employees Julia Lombardi, project engineer, and Pablo Ortiz-Aucapina, project engineer/contracting officers’ representative. Lombardi is responsible for daily walk-throughs and quality-assurance reports highlighting progress of work, meetings, safety concerns, and deficiencies, job site inspections, drafting and negotiating contract changes/modifications, and meeting with the design team and project stakeholders to resolve any discrepancies during construction.
Project Delivery Team
New York’s Project Delivery Team ⎼ an interdisciplinary group of professionals managing planning, design, engineering, construction, finance and legal items, is comprised of the following employees:
Project Manager: Raymond Pifer
Area Engineer: Lawrence Ryan
Resident Engineer: Jessica Nelson
Project Engineer/COR: Pablo Ortiz-Aucapina
Project Engineer: Julia Lombardi
Technical Manager: Jeffrey Friese
Contracting Officer: Nicholas Emanuel
Project Manager: Victoria Sabel (West Point)
Academy G5R: Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue (West Point)
Academy Archives: Suzanne Christoff (West Point)