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The U.S. Marine Hospital’s most distinctive
architectural feature, the roof-top cupola, has risen again
during the restoration project. The original cupola was taken
down during the 1950s after it began to decay and no longer had
practical value. Cupolas were important features of Greek
Revival architecture that provided a lookout place, interior
lighting and ventilation.
Restoration architect Christopher Quirk, of John Milner
Associates, spent hours of research to create the blueprints
needed to re-build the cupola structure. The cupola sat over the
building’s central stairwell and allowed daylight to illuminate
much of the interior space. By opening and shutting the windows
on the eight-sided structure, fresh air could be drawn through
open windows and doorways to create an updraft and fresh
ventilation. The provision for clean air was an important
consideration in hospital design, and the cupola and exterior
front and rear galleries allowed cool breezes from the nearby
river to refresh patients. Another major consideration was the psychological impact to the
boatmen and other patients housed in the Marine Hospital. An
October 1903 article in the Louisville Times reflected this
function of the cupola.
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“The feature of the hospital which more than anything else
reminds one of a ship is the cupola, which greatly resembles the
pilothouse of a steamboat. It is made nearly entirely of glass,
and commands a magnificent view of the river and the city. When
an old boatman becomes convalescent after a long illness he
takes great pleasure in climbing the steps to this tower and
watching the movements of the boats on the river. Some of them
have been known to sit there for days, dreaming, smoking and
thinking how much better they could do this or that with a ferry
that is crossing to Jeffersonville.”
One thing that has not changed throughout the years is the
magnificent view of the river and city. The cupola allows a
sweeping panorama of downtown Louisville, the Canal, downriver
towards New Albany and the southern side of Portland.
When the interior of the cupola is completed this autumn it will
closely resemble a pilot’s house on a steamboat. A bench will
wrap around three-fourth of the interior and a set of stairs
will lead from the Third Floor hallway. The entire structure has
been carefully rebuilt by the craftsmen of Schaefer General
Contracting Services, the lead contractor on the Marine Hospital
Restoration project. |
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