The Front Plaza Steps Project Is Now Completed

Robert L. "Rob" Sansbury, 32°, K.C.C.H.
1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009-3103

Main photography by Ill. Arnold L. Flottman, 33°, Head Guide, House of the Temple

The photographs at right show stages in rebuilding the front plaza steps of the House of the Temple. The 10-month project is now completed in time for the 2003 Biennial Session. During this extensive renovation, Brethren, guests, and the general public were still able to visit the Temple, as a large sign near the fenced-off steps announced, but they had to use the rear entrance elevator.

For decades, stopgap measures had been used to alleviate leaks from the entrance's tiered steps and platforms. Time and weather had loosened the seals between the granite slabs, and water was reaching the several archival and other areas, such as the employee lunchroom, beneath the steps. Also, many of the step and platform slabs had shifted to create uneven and potentially dangerous walking surfaces. Grand Commander Kleinknecht concluded that only total rebuilding of the steps would resolve the long-standing problem, prevent future leaks, and assure safe pedestrian traffic in and out of the building.

When work began, another problem became evident. Over the years, the weight of the slabs and their shifting had broken some of the rusted drainpipes under the steps. Rainwater or melting snow puddled and seeped through to areas below rather than running off. To do the job right required excavating to the original 1911 concrete slab under the steps and the installation of a new, reliable PVC drainage pipe system. After the base slab was waterproofed with hot asphalt and, in addition, covered with properly sealed waterproof sheets, the brick supports for the tiers of steps and three plaza area were totally rebuilt and waterproofed. Then the original granite slabs, which had been carefully numbered when removed, were replaced, leveled, set in place with dry-pack concrete, and grouted.

But the project was not over. The Grand Portal's two monumental bronze doors, weighing 2,400 pounds each, had to be removed, refinished, and completely restored mechanically. The mountings and hinges had so deteriorated over the years that it was difficult to open and close the doors. They now swing open easily to welcome Brethren, guests, and the general public into the House of the Temple. For visiting hours and directions, please click here.

Both Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht and I wish to thank the Brethren for their support of the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc., and the annual Supreme Council Calendar. Without your contributions to these two worthy programs, rebuilding of the Temple's entrance could not have been accomplished, and this renovation is only one of several significant projects now underway to maintain the House of the Temple as a landmark in the nation's capital and as Scottish Rite Freemasonry's finest edifice.
Thank you very much!

Robert L. "Rob" Sansbury is a member of Benjamin-French Lodge No. 15 and the Scottish Rite Valley of Washington, D.C., as well as a Life Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society. Presently attending Montgomery College where he is studying business management, Bro. Rob began his career with the Supreme Council in 1987 as an electrical service technician. Since then, he has supervised several major projects, including the renovation of the Supreme Council Library and the installation of the House of the Temple's new computer cabling network. Appointed Superintendent of the Building in 2000, he has managed several major reconstruction projects, some of which are ongoing, at the Temple in addition to the replacement of the building's entrance steps described in this article. Photo: Bro. Arthur W. Pierson, 32° Pierson Photography, Falls Church, Va.