Florida Southern College - McKay Archives Center Construction

Roux Library

Construction of the Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Archives Center

This addition to Florida Southern's Roux Library will house archival materials of The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, the College's archival materials, the Center for Florida History collection, and the Florida Citrus Archives.

The groundbreaking for the McKay Archives Center took place during the College's Founders Day Celebration on March 19, 2007, and site preparation and construction commenced in January 2008 once the building plans had been finalized. Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington gave the 2007 Founders Day address and participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies.

Construction is expected to be complete in February 2009. The architects are Lakeland-based Straughn Trout Architects, LLC, and a time-lapse view of the project is available at their site. Other project photographs may be found here and here.

Construction Photographs

February 21, 2008
Digging the Foundation
Digging the Foundation

March 7, 2008
  Pouring the Foundation
  Pouring the Foundation
  Mrs. McKay Inspects the Progress

March 12, 2008
  The First Wall Forms
  Adjusting the Wall Forms
  Wright in the Distance
  Time for a Quick Photo

March 14, 2008
  Pouring the First Walls
  Filling the Forms
  Checking the Forms
  Filling the Forms
  From One Truck to Another
  Filling the Forms

March 19, 2008
  Removing the Forms
  Forms were Constructed and Stored On-site
  Walls and the Growing Foundation
  Elevator Base

March 26, 2008
Second Story Wall Forms
Second Story Wall Forms

April 17, 2008
Forms for Two Pillars
Curved Walls Nearing Completion

May 1, 2008
  Block Wall Taking Shape
  First Two Pillars
  Block Wall
  Block Wall
  Precision Measurement
  Forms for Pillars
  Teamwork
  Busy Construction Site