AUGUSTA — Gale Associates, Inc., a consulting engineering firm specializing in building enclosure consulting and historic preservation, is leading the multi-phase stabilization and preservation of The Stone Building, the former Augusta Mental Health Institute and Maine’s first state mental health institution. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mid-nineteenth-century granite landmark is undergoing critical rehabilitation following nearly two decades of vacancy.

Originally constructed between 1836 and 1840 and expanded between 1848 and 1870, the monumental Hallowell granite complex reflects nineteenth-century institutional planning principles associated with the Kirkbride Plan, emphasizing light, ventilation, and humane design. Architectural features include a two-story Greek Revival portico, later Romanesque granite additions, slate roofing, and historic wood windows with stained-glass units on the primary elevation.

Closed since 2004, the building had experienced a partial roof collapse, exterior wall displacement, deteriorated slate and mortar joints, and widespread window failure, leaving the structure vulnerable to ongoing water infiltration and loss of historic fabric. Gale was retained by the State of Maine Bureau of General Services in 2021 to evaluate stabilization options and develop a preservation-based strategy to secure and restore the building enclosure.

Phase 1 included full roof replacement, slate repair and in-kind replacement, comprehensive repointing, stone repairs, and reconstruction of severely deteriorated exterior wall and gable components. The work required careful sequencing and coordination to restore structural stability while preserving the historic granite facade.

Phase 2 addressed hazardous materials abatement and selective salvage of significant interior historic woodwork in coordination with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

Phase 3, currently underway, includes restoration of approximately 50 historic wood windows, including original stained-glass units. Where windows are beyond repair, Gale is collaborating with state preservation officials to design compatible replacement units that meet modern energy code requirements while maintaining historic proportions and minimizing long-term maintenance. The project is anticipated to be completed in March 2027.

Funded through $20.4 million in state bonds and executed with Maine-based design and construction teams, the project preserves one of the state’s most significant public institutional landmarks and positions the Augusta East Campus for future adaptive reuse. The State intends to renovate the interior for municipal use, ensuring that the long-vacant structure can once again serve the community.

Through a balanced approach to engineering, preservation, and public investment, the Stone Building project demonstrates how technically complex stabilization efforts can safeguard historic infrastructure while preparing it for a new chapter of service.

About Gale Associates, Inc.

Gale is a consulting engineering firm specializing in building enclosure consulting and commissioning, structural and civil engineering, athletic facilities planning and design, and airport engineering and planning. Our multidisciplinary team—civil and structural engineers, architects, enclosure specialists, and planners—provides evaluation, design, renovation, and restoration services for buildings, infrastructure, and sites nationwide, operating from offices across New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and Florida.

With over 60 years of purposeful growth, Gale is an established leader in building science, delivering advanced technical expertise in building enclosure assemblies, fenestration, roof systems, and waterproofing. This knowledge strengthens our broader engineering and planning services, enabling us to deliver technically innovative and reliable solutions. Consistently ranked annually by Zweig Group as a “Best Firms to Work For,” Gale fosters a collaborative culture that values opportunity, respect, and work/life balance, while remaining committed to ongoing community engagement. Learn more at www.galeassociates.com.