The venerable Main Building on the campus of the now-closed Antioch College in Yellow Springs was the subject a recent major water leak that was discovered over the weekend, Preservation Ohio has learned.

Late Saturday afternoon, a village resident was walking his dog on campus when he noticed water coming from the building inconsistent with what have occurred with the melting of roof snow.  Upon investigation through ground floor windows, he observed “…water essentially raining indoors,” and that there were already several inches of water on the floor of the former College President’s office.  Also observed were areas of obvious water infiltration on the exterior of the building.  The local Township fire department was contacted, and indicated that a main connector supplying the building’s sprinkler system was shut off that night. On inspection, it was discovered that the leak occurred when a frozen attic pipe burst.

In this era of instant media, it should come as no surprise that an enterprising individual took photos of the water situation -- which can be viewed below and, for our subscribers, by clicking here.

The Village of Yellow Springs has called a public meeting for Noon today in front of the Main Building, encouraging the college to take care of the situation and to take steps to preserve the building.  The local Planning Commission has been contacted in response to the following questions submitted by local residents:

“1. The bricks through to the outside of the building have apparently soaked up a lot of water.  When this water re-freezes and thaws again in the coming weeks, this will inevitably weaken the bricks, which provide the structural support for the building.  Can they be dried out before this freeze/thaw cycle occurs?  Could heating the building in the meantime possibly help? 

2. If the building is not thoroughly dried--with more than a mop--mold will be a serious problem inside the building this spring.

3. Have the floors of the building been so thoroughly soaked as to be unsafe?

4. Most importantly, this is an historic building, decidedly the most prominent historic building on the campus, and in our community.  Its cultural and historic significance is impossible to overstate.  Villagers feel a collective responsibility to the preservation of this structure and its beautiful, landmark spires.  They want to be assured that everything is being done that can be done, on our part--whatever that might be--to deal with this situation and protect this tremendous asset.”

The Main Building at Antioch was the original building on campus, and was constructed in 1852-1853.  It is associated with the founder of Antioch, well-known American education reformer Horace Mann.  Mann was also the brother-in-law of writer Nathaniel Hawthorne.  The building, together with North and South Halls, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Antioch University, current owners of the Antioch campus, are in a 90-day period working with college alumni to create a new, independent Antioch College (see here).



Photo: Graffiti, Antioch College, Yellow Springs -- brighterworld/Creative Commons License